Kristina Menissov: Bridging Fashion and Music with Confidence and Style

Model and musician Kristina Menissov sees her diverse career as a powerful intersection of storytelling and self-expression. Drawing parallels between the energy of the runway and the stage, she blends musical rhythm into fashion and the drama of fashion into her music, exemplified in her latest music video. Menissov advises aspiring talent to embrace multidimensional careers with passion and discipline, finding ways for their creative pursuits to complement each other.

Blurring the Lines: You’ve won prestigious modeling awards and produced a dance track that became a hit in European clubs. How do you see the worlds of fashion and music intersecting in your work?

• Fashion and music have always been deeply intertwined for me. Both are about storytelling, self-expression, and creating an atmosphere that captivates an audience. Whether it’s strutting down a runway or performing on stage, it’s all about energy, attitude, and a unique sense of presence. I see my work as a bridge between the two—bringing the rhythm and emotion of music into fashion and infusing the drama and elegance of fashion into my music. This is especially true in my latest music video, where I’ve made bold fashion statements that you won’t want to miss.

Defining Your Aesthetic: If you had to design a runway show based on one of your songs, how would you bring the music’s energy to the catwalk?

• If I were to design a runway show around one of my songs, like stepping into a living music video. Let’s say it’s based on my new song “Geisha” — it would be an immersive, cinematic experience inspired by Sayuri’s iconic performance in Memoirs of a Geisha. The runway would resemble a floating bridge over water, with soft lantern light and falling cherry blossoms creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The fashion would transition from elegant, modernized kimonos to avant-garde warrior-like silhouettes, symbolizing transformation and empowerment. Because my song is very upbeat my models would have a strong yet very settled walk making each step feel like part of a performance rather than just a walk. It would be a fusion of tradition and modernity, storytelling through both fashion and movement.

Creative Cross-Pollination: Modeling often focuses on silence and visual impact, whereas music thrives on sound and emotion. How does each discipline fuel the other for you creatively?

• Modeling and music are different forms of expression, but they feed off each other in my creative process. Modeling has taught me the power of body language, how to convey emotion without words, almost like Geishas—something that adds depth to my performances as a singer. On the other hand, music allows me to express my personality and energy into the all art. When I walk a runway, I often think of it as a performance, so for it simply like being on stage.

Behind the Spotlight: Fashion events and club stages are both high-intensity, high-adrenaline environments. How do you stay grounded when everything around you is moving at high speed?

• Balancing these fast-paced industries requires a strong sense of self. My son, staying connected to my family, and knowing that so many people believe in me help me stay grounded. I also always need to remind myself to enjoy the moment—I’ve worked hard to be in these spaces, and rather than getting caught up in the chaos and insecurities that come with it, I try to soak in the experience and let the adrenaline fuel me in the best way.

Award-Winning Mindset: From the Glamour Women of the Year to the Fashion TV Fashion Summer Awards, you’ve racked up incredible recognitions. Which of these accolades felt like a defining moment that shifted your career perspective?

• Each award has been meaningful in its own way, but my 2 latest awards being named a Rising Star in Music and winning Best Music Influencer felt particularly special because they validated my journey of focusing on my music. It was a moment where I felt like my efforts finally being recognized in both worlds. It gave me confidence that I’m on the right path.

Empowering Others: What advice would you give to young talents who dream of juggling a modeling career with a music career, but worry about committing to both?

• My biggest advice is: You don’t have to choose. We live in a time where multidimensional careers with also taking care of your family and being a loving parent are not only possible but powerful. The key is discipline and passion—you have to love in everything, because there will be challenges. Also, find ways to make them complement each other. For me, fashion and music aren’t competing priorities; they feed into one another, making my brand stronger.

From Beats to Runway Struts: Which elements of music performance do you find most applicable on the runway—and vice versa?

• Music performance has taught me the importance of commanding attention, something that translates directly to the runway. Whether I’m walking or singing, it’s all about confidence, posture (you literally need a good posture to have a better voice) and energy.

Iconic Collaborations: If you could collaborate with one iconic fashion designer and one legendary music producer simultaneously, who would they be and how would you imagine that project unfolding?

• For fashion, I’d love to collaborate with Olivier Rousteing from Balmain—his designs exude power, confidence, and modern elegance, which align perfectly with my aesthetic. It already feels like a connection, especially since I wore Balmain for my Vogue Mexico and Latin America cover. For music, my dream collaboration would be Madonna. She has always pushed boundaries and redefined artistry, blending music, fashion, and performance like no one else. It already feels meant to be—especially since I had the incredible honor of wearing the same Kimono by KIMONO SK that she wore for her Oscars after-party just a few weeks ago. I can already see our worlds aligning, and a collaboration with her would be a powerful fusion of style, storytelling, and reinvention.

Where can we follow you on social media?

• Instagram: @kristinamenissov