Top model Irina Shayk shares a more intimate side of her personality, in what becomes a wonderful interview, as told to Nikki Ogunnaike for the May 2023 Beauty issue of Harper’s Bazaar. / Hair by Cim Mahony; makeup by Marcelo Gutierrez

Irina wears Acne Studios, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hermes, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, and more lensed by Bryan Liston [IG].

The concept of ‘kindness’ is the biggest theme in her story, beginning with Shayk’s grandmother who never wore makeup but whipped up natural potions, using ingredients in the fridge. Irina reflects:

She was always so positive and grateful for every day and was like, “Always be yourself. Be kind to people.” That’s what true beauty is.

I mentioned on Wednesday reading a powerful Emrata interview in the LA Times, and that it was “a welcome jolt”. The minute I began reading Irina Shayk’s interview, my thoughts immediately went to Emrata.

Two sentences later, Irina is channeling Emily Ratajkowski, too. “She’s always sexy and feminine and all about loving your body. Maybe I’m not so vocal about it, but I’m totally on the same wavelength: You’re a mother, but it doesn’t mean you cannot go outside in a tiny little skirt or put a sexy picture up.”

With both women, they own that action, although Emrata by definition is more political than Shayk.

A big difference between Irina and a bunch of other top models is that she tries to drift above her social media critics and sounds much healthier and happier as a result.

We don’t have a nanny, so between trying to run my career, cook, clean, dress my daughter, bring her to school, and do all the mom stuff, I have no time for people’s opinions. Why on earth would I click and read 2,000 comments? I kind of don’t rely on it. I have my friends, my family. They love me, and I know who I am. I don’t give many, many S-H-I...you know this word, what people really think about me.

In a moment of daughter preciousness, Shayk recounts her daughter Leah’s drill, saying I that she never loved herself like this at age six.

“I love Daddy so much, I love Mama so much, I love Nana, I love Babulya—” who is my mom. Then she goes, “And I really love myself.” And I’m looking at my daughter and I’m like,“Wow, I wasn’t like that at six year sold.”

Every time we send her to school, we’re like, “Just remember kindness and love.” So I think that’s what true beauty is. It’s not about putting on masks, putting on makeup, brushing your hair, putting on nice clothes.

In a decidedly uncommercial commentary, Irina says that when you’re not feeling beautiful, a facial is not the answer. Something is disconnected from the inner you. Take action for yourself, but always remember to be kind to yourself and those in and out of your orbit. THAT message is great for us all. ~ Anne