Enduring Models: Vlada Roslyakova

Dazed's April issue fashion pivots on the idea of enduring models – Bette Franke, Frankie Rayder, Lindsey Wixson and Vlada Roslyakova. We caught up with the girls to talk more about their experience and recurring influence on fashion.

Jil Sander was so beautiful and emotional! When I'm walking down the catwalk I'm trying to concentrate on each step, sometimes looking into the audience, watching interesting people

Russian model Vlada Roslyakova appears in Sporting Couture by Richard Burbridge and Robbie Spencer, a hi-octane sprint through Spring/Summer 12's haute couture collections: the art of fashion in its purest form. Roslyakova has walked in shows for designers including Ralph Lauren, Mugler, Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Jil Sander, Gianfranco Ferre, Etro, Christian Dior and Michael Kors. This season she can be seen in Cartier's epic L'odyssée film.

Dazed Digital: Do you remember your first show? Were you nervous?
Vlada Roslyakova: Yes, I remember but I can't say I was nervous. It was more like a misunderstanding of 'where am I and what's going on?' Because I was unaware of fashion.

DD: What shows did you enjoy walking for A/W12 and what runs through your mind when you're walking down a catwalk?
Vlada Roslyakova: Jil Sander was so beautiful and emotional! When I'm walking down the catwalk I'm trying to concentrate on each step, sometimes looking into the audience, watching interesting people!

DD: What's the secret of your enduring appeal?
Vlada Roslyakova: Every time I'm working, no matter the show or the shoot, I'm enjoying it – and at each new job I enjoy more than before.

DD: Are you a mentor to any of the newer girls?
Vlada Roslyakova: I'd like to think that newer models respect my career as a model, but I haven't been a direct mentor so far.

DD: Tell us something we wouldn't expect of you...
Vlada Roslyakova: When I was at school I used to do handmade souvenirs and bijouterie from beads. And sold them to make my own pocket money.