Talent: Viktoria Ponomarev. Photographer: Tom Marvel. Dress: Poison NYC from The Confessional Showroom.
Raised in Pennsylvania, Viktoria Ponomarev has always been curious about people and the feelings behind every moment. After studying at Temple University, she followed her instincts and moved to New York City to focus fully on modeling. Since then, her work has taken her across runway, editorial, beauty, and luxury, with projects that feel clean, modern, and quietly confident.
Dress: CD Greene. Shoes: Christian Louboutin.
Harper’s Bazaar (HBZVN): Dear Viktoria, you’re fluent in four languages. Which languages do you speak, and how did you learn them?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: I grew up speaking Russian and Polish at home, which gave me a strong cultural foundation early on. I learned English as I grew up and through school, and picked up the rest of my languages through formal education. Language has always felt natural to me—it’s a way of understanding people, energy, and connection across cultures.
Dress: Maria Lucia Hohan from D’Orazio World. Necklaces & earrings: Anayah from D’Orazio World. Hat: Binata Millinery.
HBZVN: How has being multilingual shaped the way you communicate and see the world?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: Being multilingual has made me more intuitive and empathetic. Each language carries its own emotion and rhythm, and switching between them taught me that there’s never just one way to express truth. It’s helped me listen more deeply, communicate with sensitivity, and stay open to different perspectives.
HBZVN: Moving to New York City is a turning point for many models. What did the city teach you about yourself in those early days?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: New York taught me independence and self-trust. It pushed me to rely on my own energy and inner voice. The city showed me how to stay soft while becoming strong, and how to keep faith in myself even during uncertainty. It was a period of real growth and self-discovery.
Dress: Maria Lucia Hohan from D’Orazio World. Necklaces, ring and & earrings: Anayah from D’Orazio World. Hat: Binata Millinery.
HBZVN: There’s a calm, intuitive quality in the way you approach modeling. How do intuition and inner balance guide your work today?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: I let intuition lead. When I’m grounded and present, everything flows naturally—my movement, my expression, my connection to the camera. Modeling feels like an energetic exchange, and inner balance allows me to show up authentically rather than force anything.
HBZVN: Fashion can be expressive or understated. What kind of fashion makes you feel most like yourself, and why?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: I feel most like myself in understated, intentional fashion. I’m drawn to clean lines, timeless silhouettes, and pieces that allow freedom and movement. When clothing feels effortless, it allows my personality and energy to come through.
Top: Tom Ford. Skirt: Alexander McQueen. Ring: Anabela Chan from D’Orazio World.
HBZVN: The looks in your photoshoot feel bold and architectural, but never stiff. What was the mood on set, and did you have a favorite look or moment while shooting with Tom Marvel?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: The mood on set was calm, focused, and collaborative. There was a sense of trust that made it easy to explore and stay present. My favorite moments are always the quiet ones—when everything slows down and you feel fully connected to the lens. That’s when the most honest images happen.
HBZVN: Let’s talk personal style. What are three fashion items you always return to, no matter the season?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: A well-tailored coat, simple leather boots, and minimal jewelry. These pieces feel grounding and timeless, and they adapt effortlessly to any season or environment.
Top: Tom Ford. Skirt: Alexander McQueen. Ring: Anabela Chan from D’Orazio World.
HBZVN: When it comes to beauty, are you more of a minimalist or an experimenter? Are there any simple rituals you swear by?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: I’m a minimalist. I believe beauty starts with consistency and care. Simple rituals like staying hydrated, moving my body, resting well, and creating moments of stillness make the biggest difference. When my energy feels balanced, everything else follows.
Blazer, skirt & shoes: Bibhu Mohapatra. Jewelry: Verdura.
HBZVN: If your life suddenly turned into a fashion film for one day, what would the opening scene look like—and what outfit would you be in?
VIKTORIA PONOMAREV: The opening scene would be early morning light – quiet, soft, and intentional. I’d be walking alone, unhurried, wearing something fluid and neutral. The focus wouldn’t be the outfit, but the feeling: calm, clarity, and possibility.
Top: Wiederhoeft from Lindsey Media. Skirt: 831 Minhle from Showroom Seven. Necklace: Erickson Beamon from Showroom Seven.
Talent: Viktoria Ponomarev @vik.ponomarev
at Elite Model Management NYC @elitenyc.
Photographer: Tom Marvel @tommarvelphotography.
Creative Director: Cannon @thecannonmediagroup
at Atelier Management @ateliermgmt.
Hair Stylist: Linh Nguyen @linhhair
at SEE Management @seemanagementc using Redken@redken.
Makeup Artist: Elisa Flowers @elisaflowersmakeup
at Atelier Management @ateliermgmt using Mac Cosmetics @maccosmetics.
Manicurist: Casey @caseynails
at The Wall Group @thewallgroup using Kiss Nails @kissnails.
Lighting Director: Murat Ozdemir @1muratozdemir1.
Production: Winnie Noan @winnie_noan.
Digital Tech: Olivia Wohlers @wohliviaa.
Lead Stylist’s Assistant: Max Reid @lu3alo
at She Is Maia @sheismaia_agency.
Photographer Assistants: Michele Swain @michelewihelminaphotography | Hector Adalid@hectoradalid |
Eric Wallace @polymathicwallace | Helen Chi @misshelenchic.
Grip: George Pepe @gspepe.
Director of Video: Michael Fadeev @phadeevs.
Videographer Assistant: Igor Momot @igor.f.momot.
Fashion Team: Sabina Kahn @style.by.sabinakahn | David Goldberg @indigoboy | MadisonWen Gu @madisonwengu.
Set Producer: Kathleen Tighe @kathleentig.
Digital Artist: Marilynn Hawkridge | retouchingbymarilynn@gmail.com.
Digital marketing: Biljana Cvijetinovic @biljana.cvijetinovic.
Shot at Untitled NYC @un_nyc.
Special thanks to Jason and everyone at The Untitled NYC.
Creative Director: Cannon @thecannonmediagroup at Atelier Management @ateliermgmt.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
