A few weeks ago we cast 21 year-old NYC professional ballerina Violetta Komyshan for our "Bear meets Denim" shoot. This shoot was captured live on Refinery 29's Facebook page with photographer Sophie Elgort and Me (Stacy Igel). Sophie and I have worked on a ton of shoots together and have shot bts shots but this was our first LIVE shoot which was really fun! If you missed the action check it out here: 

For those of you who do not know Violetta Komyshan now is the chance to get to know her! She has lived in NYC her entire life, and was raised by a single amazing Ukrainian mother. Violetta attended LaGuardia High School and has been dancing since she was a little girl. She now dances with BalletNext, a company run by prima-ballerina Michele Wiles. The troupe is performing at BAM in May! I got the chance to sit down with Violetta in and out of the live shoot and she is truly an incredible female artist filled with passion and has a heart of gold. Thank you Violetta for being part of this innovative shoot with us and Sophie and R29 and being our Muse of the Week. More below with Violetta in our Q&A. xo, Stacy

 1. Are you a subway or car (via, uber, lyft) girl?
Subway girl all the way. I love the subway, I get so car-sick so I can't stand being in vehicles for a long time. 

2. Favorite spot to be creative?
Ballet studio with dancers. We all create off each other and the movements change daily based on how you're feeling that day.

3. Causes you advocate for?
I want to publicly advocate for the environment more but I do it a lot in my own home and with my own friends and family.

4. Favorite quote?
Changes daily. A friend recently told me he knew Andy Warhol and he told him "there's two things in life you never buy, a coffee machine and a large pack of cigarettes." I don't smoke but the moral of the quote is that you should not have any reason to not leave your house everyday. The thought of a cappuccino from my favorite Cafe makes me so excited to get out of the house. 

5. Tell us about the last moment you shared with someone?
I just spent Valentine's Day in South Caicos with my man.

6. Favorite song to dance to? 
Anything by Ansel Elgort ;) We also make playlists in my company and dance to them so whatever is on my Spotify. Sometimes it's fun when a really crazy song comes on. 


CREATIVE DIRECTOR/INTERVIEW: STACY IGEL

PHOTOGRAPHER: SOPHIE ELGORT

HAIR/MAKEUP/NAILS: CARAVAN STYLIST STUDIO

LOCATION: THE GREGORY

Violetta's wearing our 40Love Dress & our Lasting Joy Denim Jacket. 

Use the code VIOLETTA10 to get 10% off your purchase.