Irina Pantaeva’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born into a family of artists, living in the basement of a Theatre during the years of Soviet Rule, her upbringing was steeped in creativity and tradition. Irina was immersed into a world of storytelling, performance, and artistry from a young age – a foundation that would later shape her career.
When Models1 sat down with Irina Pantaeva this October, the conversation quickly turned to her unique upbringing and the culture shocks she experienced after leaving Siberia. Born on October 31st—a date synonymous with Halloween in much of the western world—Irina grew up completely unaware of the spooky holiday. In Siberia, there were no costumed celebrations or pumpkin-filled traditions, far removed from western festivities.
That all changed when Irina left her homeland. The collapse of the Soviet Union forced her to seek opportunities abroad, and Paris became her gateway to a completely different world. It wasn’t until she found herself among a vibrant new circle of friends that she began to realise just how much of the world she had yet to experience.
Her First Parisian Birthday
Irina laughed as she recalled her first birthday in Paris, which also happened to be her first real introduction to Halloween. She was astonished to see people wandering the streets dressed as witches, ghosts, and ghouls. The moment was made even more memorable when a new friend teased her, saying that all these costumed revellers were out celebrating her birthday.
For Irina, that birthday in Paris wasn’t just a funny introduction to Halloween—it was a poignant reminder of how far she had come. From her restricted beginnings in Siberia to becoming an internationally celebrated model, she found herself embracing new traditions, cultures, and experiences that she never could have imagined growing up. Irina told Models1 that this year she will be dressing up as the birthday girl.
Breaking into The Modelling World
“I wasn’t discovered, I discovered the world,” Irina Pantaeva said when asked how her modelling journey began. For Irina, the path to international stardom wasn’t a glamorous pursuit of fame. It was about survival. Irina had no dreams of fashion runways or flashing cameras. Fashion wasn’t even on her radar. “I never left Siberia to become a supermodel,” she explained. “I left to survive.” In fact, modelling was looked down upon in her culture. But when the country collapsed, Irina made the brave decision to leave Siberia, driven by a singular purpose: to keep her newborn son safe and fed. Both her parents worked in the theatre, and she was surrounded by storytelling and performance. But leaving her home wasn’t about chasing creative dreams. It was about finding stability in a world that had suddenly changed.
Landing in Paris with her son, Irina took on any job she could find—cleaning houses, babysitting, and saving every penny to send back home.
From Rejection to Runway
Despite her hardships, Irina’s striking beauty and unique presence caught the attention of those around her. Friends suggested she try modelling, but agencies turned her down.
Irina’s big break came in the most unexpected way. One day in Paris, she noticed a long line of women outside a building. It was a casting for Givenchy, so she joined the line out of curiosity. As she waited, she struck up a conversation with the girl behind her, who mentioned she had to rush to a Chanel casting. Thinking on her feet, Irina lied, saying she also had a Chanel casting and tagged along.
Without a portfolio, cards, or even an appointment, Irina boldly stood at the reception desk and introduced herself: “My name is Irina. I come from Siberia. I’m here to meet Karl Lagerfeld.” It was a moment straight out of a movie. To her amazement, Karl himself asked her to try on dresses and walk for him. By the next day, Irina was walking in the Chanel show, sharing backstage space with the world’s top supermodels. “I thought I was dreaming,” she said.
From sewing costumes with her mom in a Siberian theatre to walking the iconic Chanel runway, Irina’s path is a mix of bold moves. Irina’s mother taught her more than just how to sew—she taught her the value of hard work and creativity. “If you know how to sew, you’ll always have bread on the table,” her mother would say. Those lessons stuck with Irina, sparking her own love for design and fashion.
It was through this passion that Irina came to admire fashion legends like Karl Lagerfeld. She had no idea that one day she’d meet him—let alone model for him.
Irina’s unique beauty and fierce determination caught the attention of major fashion houses, and she quickly became a favourite of legendary designers like Mugler and Vivienne Westwood. Her first photoshoot was with the iconic photographer Irving Penn.
Through it all, Irina has remained grateful to Karl Lagerfeld, the man who gave her that first big break. “He really saw me and validated my personality,” she said.
More Than a Supermodel
After taking a step back from the modelling world, Irina Pantaeva is back—and she’s not just re-entering the industry; she’s embracing it on her own terms. “I’m so excited to re-enter the industry 20 years later because I know it’s changed, but so have I,” she says with a sense of pride and purpose.
For Irina, her return isn’t about reclaiming a past career; it’s about being unapologetically herself. “I don’t have to try to fit in because I look different because of my race and ethnicity. I am Native Indigenous, and I’m proud,” she shared.
Irina’s journey has always been about more than just modelling—it’s been about art. Whether she’s on the catwalk, in front of the camera, or performing on stage, it’s all a form of expression for her. “It’s not a break or an exit. It’s all art,” she explains. “I’m always on some kind of mission. I’m just curious and I want to learn more about it.”
Irina has always been a pioneer. She was the first Indigenous Asian model to grace the cover of Vogue, breaking down barriers and setting a new standard in fashion. She also starred in Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997), a blockbuster film based on the famous video game, shot over the span of several months.
And it didn’t stop there. She made her mark as a guest star on The Rock from the Sun (1996), in a one-hour Super Bowl episode. But it was during her first return to the catwalk that Irina had an epiphany that changed everything. Watching her son and his friends in the audience, her son turned to her and said, “Mum, I didn’t know you were a star!” In that moment, Irina realised the incredible legacy she has built—not just for herself, but for models, actors, and creatives who look like her.
“I’ve helped paved the way for Asian Indigenous models and actors,” she reflected, “and it’s something I’m proud to have contributed to. It’s about showing others that they belong and that their stories matter.”
Irina Pantaeva’s Siberian Dream: A Powerful Story and Sustainable Vision
Irina Pantaeva’s documentary, Siberian Dream, recently took centre stage at the prestigious A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival in Paris, founded by Diane Pernet. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Janet Gardner-directed film revisits Irina’s incredible journey from the snow-blanketed landscapes of Siberia to the glittering runways of the fashion world. The documentary captures her resilience and determination, breaking barriers in both fashion and film while staying true to her unique identity.
But Irina’s creativity doesn’t stop there. She’s also the founder of Peaceful Warriors United, a sustainable fashion brand where she transforms old military uniforms into wearable art by hand-painting them.
To read more on Irina’s Peaceful Warriors United manifesto, visit https://www.peacefulwarriorsunited.com/mission
