Valeria Skrynnikova: Female Gaze of a Supergirl

Valeria je osoba čiji životni put inspiriše i intrigira. Od plesa i turneja po Evropi, preko studija menadžmenta, do rada u ugostiteljstvu, svaki korak oblikovao je njenu jedinstvenu perspektivu. Njena strast prema plesu prirodno se prelila i na interesovanje za modu, dok je disciplina i upornost iz studija i posla oblikovala njenu snagu i samostalnost. U ovom intervjuu, Valeria deli svoje poglede na lični razvoj, stil, lepotu i balans između unutrašnje snage i nežnosti, nudeći mladim ženama inspiraciju da pronađu svoj put i veruju u sebe.

Valeria, imali ste veoma raznovrstan put — od plesa i turneja po Evropi do studija menadžmenta i rada u ugostiteljstvu. Šta je najviše oblikovalo Vaš jedinstveni pogled na život: plesna karijera, studije ili radno iskustvo?

Ovo je veoma pronicljivo pitanje! Iskreno, verujem da su određeni načini na koje doživljavamo svet urođeni — s njima se rađamo. Moja porodica, sa atmosferom brige i poštovanja, imala je ogromnu ulogu u oblikovanju mog pogleda na svet. Odrasla sam okružena ljubavlju i podrškom roditelja koji su neumorno radili za moju budućnost, što je od malih nogu razvilo moju samostalnost. Bila sam vrlo bistra posmatračica i često sam intuitivno razumela stvari.

Kasnije faze mog života — ples, obrazovanje i posao — dodatno su ojačale moj karakter, razvile moju otpornost, principe i osećaj za pravdu. Sve se to isprepletalo i formiralo me kao ličnost.

Ipak, rekla bih da je plesna karijera imala najdublji uticaj. Zašto? Zato što me je ples naučio disciplini, posvećenosti, timskom radu i, što je najvažnije, fleksibilnosti i prilagodljivosti. Proširio mi je vidike i naučio me da sagledavam svet i životne situacije iz različitih uglova, što mi danas neizmerno pomaže.

Studije poslovne administracije dale su mi čvrstu osnovu praktičnog znanja, alate za analizu i strukturiranje informacija, kao i razumevanje ekonomskih procesa. Bilo je korisno, ali je uglavnom dopunilo ono što sam već znala i osećala.

Ugostiteljski posao, s druge strane, bio je odlična praktična primena tog znanja i veština. Naučio me je radu s ljudima, brzom rešavanju problema i shvatanju da uspeh zavisi od mnoštva faktora, a ne samo od strategije. I, naravno, ključno je razumeti da su komunikacione veštine danas od presudne važnosti.

Vaša strast prema plesu jasno je uticala i na Vaše interesovanje za modu. Možete li nam reći kako se estetika kostima i koreografije danas prenosi u Vaš lični stil i modni izraz?

Moja strast prema plesu duboko je oblikovala moje interesovanje za modu. To nije samo ljubav prema lepoj odeći, već razumevanje toga kako se odeća kreće i izražava. Estetika kostima i koreografije ogleda se u mom ličnom stilu, koji zavisi od mog raspoloženja, svrhe kombinacije i mnogih drugih faktora.

Ključni elementi su pokret i udobnost — sloboda kretanja je u plesu od presudnog značaja. Zato uvek biram odeću koja mi je udobna i ne sputava me. To ne znači da nosim isključivo sportsku odeću, već da obraćam pažnju na kroj, materijal i način na koji komad stoji na telu. Volim i pripijene komade koji naglašavaju figuru, ali i voluminozne siluete koje stvaraju zanimljive forme.

Volim da eksperimentišem sa različitim teksturama i materijalima — od svile i pliša do teksasa i kože. Uživanje mi je da posmatram kako se različiti materijali igraju sa svetlom i stvaraju različite atmosfere, baš kao kod scenskih kostima, gde tekstura naglašava pokret i vizuelni efekat.

Boja se često koristi u koreografiji kako bi se stvorili akcenti i istakli određeni pokreti. Pokušavam da boju uklopim u svoj stil kako bih izrazila individualnost i stvorila upečatljiv izgled. Pažnja prema detaljima je ključna u plesu — svaki detalj je važan, od frizure do šminke. Trudim se da isto važi i za moj stil, kako bih stvorila skladan i promišljen celokupan utisak. Čak su i moji izrazi lica, ton glasa i pogled deo tog imidža.

Volim kada outfit izražava raspoloženje i karakter. Za mene je stil način komunikacije bez reči — način da pokažem unutrašnju snagu i slobodu da budem svoja.

U celini, moj stil je odraz moje ljubavi prema svetu i ljudima, a samim tim i prema sebi. Odeću doživljavam kao još jedan oblik samoistražavanja, još jedan način da „plešem“ u stvarnom životu.

Sa 18 godina ostvarili ste veliki cilj upisavši HSE Univerzitet. Gledajući unazad, koji je bio najveći izazov u usklađivanju studija i rada u ugostiteljstvu i kako ste ga prevazišli?

Upis na HSE Univerzitet bio je ogromna radost, ali i veliki izazov, naročito uz paralelan rad u restoranu. Bilo mi je izuzetno važno da upišem najbolji univerzitet u zemlji — i to na budžetu, što sam imala sreću da ostvarim.

Sa 18 godina donela sam odluku da budem potpuno samostalna, a balansiranje posla i studija postalo je nužnost. Bilo je dana kada sam direktno sa noćne smene išla na predavanja, a zatim se ponovo vraćala na posao. Dani su se stapali u jedan beskonačan maraton, a san je bio prava retkost. Mislim da me je spaslo to što sam iskreno volela ono što sam radila. Nikada nisam bila odličan đak niti „knjiški tip“ — imala sam dar da povežem teoriju i praksu, a moje komunikacione veštine su mi uvek omogućavale da pokažem znanje, čak i kada nisam u potpunosti savladala gradivo!

Disciplina je bila ključna. Naučila sam da planiram, postavljam prioritete i ne odlažem obaveze. Nije bilo lako, ali sam shvatila da bez organizacije jednostavno ne bih izdržala.

Takođe sam se trudila da u svakom danu pronađem male radosti. Kafa sa prijateljima pre predavanja, ukusan dezert nakon smene, sama prilika da učim i napredujem — sve mi je to davalo snagu da nastavim. Bilo je teško, ali ni zbog čega ne žalim. Ovo iskustvo me je naučilo da cenim vreme, prilike i da se ne plašim izazova.

Citat Margaret Wolfe Hungerford — „Lepota je u oku posmatrača“ — snažno se uklapa u Vašu filozofiju. Kako Vi definišete lepotu i verujete li da se ona može naučiti ili je urođena?

Ovaj citat Margaret Wolfe Hungerford u potpunosti se poklapa s mojom filozofijom. Za mene lepota nije nešto statično i univerzalno, već subjektivna percepcija — odraz unutrašnjeg sveta onoga ko posmatra. To je sposobnost da se uoče sklad, jedinstvenost i vrednost u najrazličitijim stvarima, čak i onima koje na prvi pogled deluju nesavršeno.

Verujem da postoji urođena sklonost ka opažanju lepote. Neki ljudi su osetljiviji na estetiku, nijanse boja, oblika i tekstura. Ali sam uverena da se osećaj za lepotu može razvijati i negovati. To je kao mišić — što ga više treniraš, to postaje snažniji.

Kako? Kroz svesnost, širenje vidika, proučavanje umetnosti, muzike, književnosti i prirode. Kroz vežbanje pažljivog posmatranja sveta oko sebe i pronalaženje lepote u svakodnevnim stvarima. Kroz otvorenost za nova iskustva i spremnost da se lepota vidi na neočekivanim mestima.

Važno je razumeti da lepota nije samo spoljašnja privlačnost. Ona je i unutrašnji sklad, dobrota, iskrenost i inteligencija. Lepota se može ispoljiti u postupcima, rečima i odnosima među ljudima.

Zato verujem da se lepota ne samo vidi, već i stvara i oseća. Što joj više težimo, to će nam život biti bogatiji i ispunjeniji.

Prijatelji Vas nazivaju „Superdevojkom“, jer u sebi spajate i „dobru devojku“ koja svima želi da ugodi i „lošu devojku“ koja se bori za svoja uverenja. Možete li nam objasniti tu dualnost u Vašoj ličnosti i kako pronalazite balans između te dve strane?

Da, moji prijatelji ne greše kada me zovu Superdevojkom! To je vrlo precizan opis moje unutrašnje dualnosti. Ja sam spoj ‘dobre’ i ‘loše’ devojke i mislim da me upravo ta kombinacija čini onim što jesam.

Biti ‘dobra devojka’ za mene znači umeti povezati se s ljudima, biti empatična, pružati podršku i truditi se da drugima bude prijatno u mom društvu. Cenim harmoniju u odnosima i nastojim da izbegnem konflikte. Verujem da se svaki problem može rešiti razgovorom. Važno mi je da se ljudi pored mene osećaju dobro i opušteno.

Ali postoji i druga strana medalje. Ne bojim se da budem ‘loša devojka’ kada su u pitanju principi, pravda i iznošenje sopstvenog mišljenja. Smatram da je važno govoriti istinu, čak i kada je neprijatna, i ne plašiti se da ideš protiv struje ako si sigurna da si u pravu. Ne tolerišem nepravdu i uvek sam spremna da se zauzmem za one kojima je potrebna podrška.

Balansiranje ove dve strane nije uvek lako, ali trudim se da se držim nekoliko pravila. Prvo, uvek pokušavam da budem iskrena prema sebi i razumem šta mi je zaista važno. Drugo, biram trenutke kada treba biti popustljiv, a kada čvrst i principijelan. Treće, podsećam sebe da ne mogu svima da ugodim — i da je to u redu.

Sve to zajedno — to sam ja, Superdevojka: devojka koja ume da bude dobra i empatična, ali se ne boji da se bori za svoja uverenja. Mislim da me upravo to čini snažnom i zanimljivom osobom.

Vaše interesovanje za modu poslednjih godina značajno je poraslo. Koji ruski dizajneri ili modni trendovi su Vam u poslednje vreme posebno privukli pažnju? Da li sebe vidite u budućim saradnjama sa dizajnerima?

Moje interesovanje za modu značajno je poraslo poslednjih godina i uživam u praćenju razvoja ruske modne scene. Naši dizajneri stvaraju neverovatne komade i zaista me fascinira njihov talenat. Posebno me inspirišu Lesya Nebo — zbog prozračnih silueta i suptilne estetike, Ruban — zbog hrabrih izbora i romantike, Namelazz — zbog avangardnog pristupa i smelog duha, Aline — zbog minimalizma i elegancije, kao i Pervert — zbog provokativnosti i jedinstvene vizije. Lista bi mogla biti beskonačna, jer mladi ruski dizajneri stvaraju prelepe komade koji naglašavaju individualnost.

Volim da kombinujem različite stilove, mešam epohe i pravce, stvarajući nešto potpuno jedinstveno što odražava moju ličnost.

Takođe imam veliko poštovanje prema visokoj modi i etabliranim dizajnerima koji već decenijama ispisuju istoriju. Pored njih, inspirišu me i gruzijski dizajneri — zbog jarkih boja i izražajne estetike — kao i svetski poznati brendovi.

Nadam se da ću u budućnosti imati priliku da sarađujem sa modnim kućama poput Saint Laurent, Prada i Schiaparelli. To bi bila velika čast i snažan izvor inspiracije!

Vaš snažan osećaj za pravdu i individualnost zaista inspiriše. Koju poruku biste želeli da pošaljete mladim ženama koje pokušavaju da pronađu sopstveni put i balans između autentičnosti i društvenih očekivanja?

Drage devojke, želim da vam poručim: ne bojte se da budete Superdevojke! Ne pokušavajte da se uklopite u kalupe koje vam društvo nameće. Ne trudite se da ispunite tuđa očekivanja ako su u suprotnosti sa vašim uverenjima i vrednostima.

Znam koliko je teško pronaći sopstveni put i uskladiti vernost sebi sa željom da budete prihvaćene. I sama sam kroz to prolazila, pokušavajući da shvatim ko sam zaista. Ali sam shvatila da je najvažnije biti iskrena prema sebi.

Zapamtite da ste jedinstvene i neponovljive. Imate svoje snage, talente i snove. Ne dozvolite nikome da vam kaže da niste dovoljno dobre ili da treba da budete neko drugi.

Budite ‘dobre devojke’ ako to želite — pokazujte dobrotu, empatiju i brigu. Ali ne zaboravite na svoju unutrašnju snagu, sposobnost da se zauzmete za svoja uverenja i hrabrost da govorite istinu. Budite ‘loše devojke’ kada je potrebno — ne bojte se da idete protiv struje, da se ne slažete i da se borite za ono u šta verujete.

Spojite ove dve strane u sebi i postaćete prava Superdevojka — snažna, nezavisna i samouverena žena, sposobna da menja svet nabolje.

Ne bojte se grešaka, ne bojte se da isprobate nove stvari i ne bojte se da rizikujete. Zapamtite da neuspeh nije kraj, već prilika da učite i postanete jače.

I najvažnije — volite sebe. Sijajte poput sunca, osvetljavajući put sebi i drugima oko sebe! Volite svoje vrline i mane, dobre i loše strane. Radite na sebi i verujte u sebe!

Zaslužujete samo najbolje. I zapamtite — niste same. Uvek će postojati neko ko će vas podržati i pomoći vam na vašem putu.

English here:

Valeria, you’ve had such a diverse journey — from dancing and touring Europe to studying business
management and working in the restaurant industry. What has shaped your unique outlook on life the
most: your dance career, your studies, or your work experience?

This is a very insightful question! Honestly, I believe certain ways of perceiving the world are innate –
we’re born with them. My family, with its atmosphere of care and respect, played a huge role in shaping
my worldview. I grew up surrounded by the love and support of parents who worked tirelessly for my
future, which fostered my independence from a young age. I was a very observant person, and often
understood things intuitively.

The subsequent stages of my life – dance, education, and work – strengthened my character, developed
my resilience, principles, and sense of justice. All of this intertwined to form me as an individual.

However, I would say my dance career had the most fundamental impact. Why? Because dance taught
me discipline, dedication, teamwork, and, most importantly, flexibility and adaptability. It broadened my
perspective and taught me to view the world and life’s situations from different angles, which is incredibly
helpful to me now.

Studying business administration provided me with a solid foundation of practical knowledge, tools for
analyzing and structuring information, and an understanding of economic processes. It was beneficial, but
it largely complemented what I already knew and felt.

And the restaurant business served as excellent practical application of that knowledge and those skills.
It taught me how to work with people, solve problems quickly, and understand that success depends on a
multitude of factors, not just strategy. And, of course, it’s crucial to acknowledge that communication skills
are key in today’s world.

Your passion for dance clearly influenced your interest in fashion. Can you tell us how the aesthetics
of costumes and choreography translate into your personal style and fashion sense today?

My passion for dance has profoundly shaped my interest in fashion. It’s not simply a love of beautiful
clothes, but rather an understanding of how clothing can move and express. The aesthetics of costumes and
choreography are reflected in my personal style, which is influenced by my mood, the purpose of the look,
and many other factors.

Key elements include movement and comfort – freedom of movement is paramount in dance.
Therefore, I always seek clothing that is comfortable and doesn’t restrict me. This doesn’t mean I only wear
sportswear, but I pay attention to cut, fabric, and fit. I enjoy both fitted pieces that accentuate the figure and
voluminous styles that create interesting shapes.

I love to experiment with different textures and fabrics – from silk and velvet to denim and leather. I
enjoy how different materials play with light and create different moods, much like in costumes where
textures emphasize movement and create a visual effect.

Color is often used in choreography to create accents and highlight specific movements. I try to
incorporate color into my style to express my individuality and create a compelling look. Attention to detail
is crucial in dance – every detail matters, from hairstyle to makeup. I strive to be equally mindful in my
style, creating a harmonious and well-considered overall impression. Even my facial expressions, tone of
voice, and gaze are all part of the image.

I love when an outfit expresses mood and character. For me, style is a way to communicate without
words, to demonstrate inner strength and the freedom to be myself.

Overall, my style is a reflection of my love for the world and people, and therefore, for myself. I see clothing
as another form of self-expression, another way to “dance” in real life.

At 18, you achieved a major goal by enrolling at HSE University. Looking back, what was the biggest
challenge you faced while balancing your studies with work in the restaurant industry, and how did
you overcome it?

Being accepted to HSE University was a tremendous joy, but also a significant challenge, especially
while working in a restaurant. It was particularly important to me to get into the best university in the
country – and on a full scholarship, which I was fortunate enough to achieve.

At 18, I made the decision to be completely independent, and balancing work and studies became a
necessity driven by that choice. There were times when I’d run from an overnight shift at the restaurant
straight to lectures, and then back to work again. Days blurred into one endless marathon, and sleep was a
scarce commodity. But I think what saved me was genuinely enjoying what I was doing. I was never a
straight-A student or a bookworm – I had a knack for combining theory with practice, and my
communication skills always allowed me to demonstrate my knowledge, even if I hadn’t fully mastered the
lecture material!

Discipline was key. I learned to plan, prioritize, and avoid procrastination. It wasn’t easy, but I
understood that if I wasn’t organized, I simply wouldn’t be able to cope.

And I think another important thing was making an effort to find small joys in each day. Coffee with
friends before class, a delicious dessert after a shift, simply the opportunity to learn and grow – all of this
gave me the strength to keep going. It was difficult, but I don’t regret a thing. This experience taught me to
value time, my opportunities, and to not be afraid of challenges.

The quote by Margaret Wolfe Hungerford — «Beauty is in the eye of the beholder» — resonates with
your philosophy. How do you define beauty, and do you believe it’s something that can be taught or is
it innate?

This quote by Margaret Woolf Hungerford truly resonates with my philosophy. For me, beauty isn’t
something static and universal, but rather a subjective perception – a reflection of the inner world of the
beholder. It’s the ability to see harmony, uniqueness, and value in the most diverse things, even those that
initially appear imperfect.

I believe that an innate predisposition to perceiving beauty certainly exists. Some people are more
sensitive to aesthetics, to the nuances of color, form, and texture. But I’m convinced that beauty can be
developed and cultivated. It’s like a muscle – the more you train it, the stronger it becomes.

How? Through mindfulness, broadening your horizons, studying art, music, literature, and nature.
Through the practice of attentive observation of the world around you and the ability to find beauty in
everyday things. Through openness to new experiences and a willingness to see beauty in unexpected
places.

It’s important to understand that beauty isn’t just external attractiveness. It’s also inner harmony,
kindness, sincerity, and intelligence. Beauty can manifest in actions, in words, in relationships between
people.

Therefore, I believe that beauty can not only be seen, but also created and felt. And the more we
strive for it, the richer and more fulfilling our lives will be.

You’ve been called a «Supergirl» by your friends, embodying both the «good girl» who pleases
everyone and the «bad girl» who stands up for her beliefs. Can you elaborate on this duality in your
personality? How do you navigate between these two sides?

Yes, my friends aren’t wrong to call me Supergirl! It’s a very accurate description of my inner duality.
I’m a mix of “bad girl” and “good girl” in character, and I think that combination is exactly what makes me
who I am.

Being a “good girl” to me means being able to connect with people, being empathetic, supportive, and
trying to please those around me. I value harmony in relationships and try to avoid conflict. I always believe
that any issue can be resolved through dialogue. It’s important to me that people feel comfortable and good
when they’re with me.

But there’s another side to the coin. I’m not afraid to be a “bad girl” when it comes to principles, fairness,
and standing up for my opinion. I believe it’s important to tell the truth, even if it’s unpleasant, and not be
afraid to go against the grain if I’m confident in my rightness. I won’t tolerate injustice and am always ready
to stand up for those who need it.

Balancing these two sides isn’t always easy, but I try to follow a few rules. First, I always try to be
honest with myself and understand what’s truly important to me. Second, I try to choose the moments when
I need to be accommodating and when I need to be firm and principled. Third, I try to remember that you
can’t please everyone, and that’s okay.

Putting it all together, that’s me – Supergirl – the girl who can be kind and empathetic, but isn’t afraid
to stand up for her beliefs and fight for what she believes in. I think that’s what makes me a strong and
interesting person!

Your interest in fashion has grown in recent years. What Russian designers or fashion trends have
caught your eye lately? Do you see yourself collaborating with any designers in the future?

My interest in fashion has grown significantly in recent years, and I enjoy watching the development
of Russian fashion! Our designers create amazing pieces, and I am captivated by their talent. I am
particularly inspired by the work of Lesya Nebo – their airy silhouettes and delicate aesthetic, Ruban – for
their bold choices and romanticism, Namelazz – for their avant-garde approach and daring spirit, Aline –
for their minimalism and elegance, and Pervert – for their provocative nature and unique vision. This list
could go on forever, as young Russian designers create incredibly beautiful pieces that help emphasize
individuality.

I love being able to combine different styles, mix eras and directions, creating something completely
unique that reflects my personality.

I also have great respect for haute couture and established designers who have been creating true history
for decades. In addition to them, I am inspired by the work of Georgian designers – their vibrant colors and
distinctiveness, as well as globally renowned brands.

I hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with houses like Saint Laurent, Prada, and Schiaparelli in
the future. It would be a great honor and inspiration!

Your strong sense of justice and individuality is truly inspiring. What message would you like to convey
to young women who are trying to find their own path and balance between being true to themselves
and meeting societal expectations?

Dear girls, I want to tell you: don’t be afraid to be Supergirl! Don’t try to fit into the molds that society
imposes on you. Don’t strive to meet someone else’s expectations if it contradicts your beliefs and values.

I know how difficult it is – to find your own path, to balance staying true to yourself with the desire to
be accepted. I’ve been through it myself, trying to understand who I really am. But I realized that the most
important thing is to be honest with yourself.

Remember that you are unique and one of a kind. You have your own strengths, your own talents, your
own dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough, that you should be someone else.

Be “good girls” if you want – show kindness, empathy, and care. But don’t forget about your inner
strength, your ability to stand up for your beliefs, your courage to speak the truth. Be “bad girls” when
necessary – don’t be afraid to go against the grain, don’t be afraid to disagree, don’t be afraid to fight for
what you believe in.

Combine these two sides within yourself, and you will become a true Supergirl – a strong, independent,
self-confident woman who is capable of changing the world for the better.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, don’t be afraid to try new things, don’t be afraid to take risks.
Remember that failures aren’t the end, but just an opportunity to learn and become stronger.

And most importantly – love yourself. Shine – like the sun, illuminating the path for yourself and those
around you! Love your strengths and weaknesses, your good and bad sides. You need to work on yourself
and believe in yourself!

You deserve the very best. And remember, you are not alone. There will always be someone who
supports you and helps you on your journey.

Team:
Photo: Roman Labasta @romanlabasta
Model: Skrynnikova Valeria @skrynnikova.22
Makeup: Alina Sergeeva @alinasergeeva_makeup
Hair: Viktoria Bobrovskaya @hair_mmmm_vikki
Stylist: Alesia Panch @alesyapanch
Stylist assistant: Anna Sergeeva @anyasergeevaaa
PR: Valentina Gurova @valentinagurova of PR Aliyans Media Group
@pr_aliyans & Couture Productions @corycoutureproductions