Irina Zhdanova (Instagram @zhdanovadiary) is an international fashion and beauty model turned influencer and content creator. She has worked across Russia, China and the United States, signed with major modelling agencies, appeared on magazine covers, walked fashion weeks and partnered with global beauty and lifestyle brands.
Early Life & Career Beginnings
Irina Zhdanova began her modelling career in 2013 in Russia, at which time she signed her first modelling contract. In that local phase she worked extensively in her hometown, appearing on magazine covers, banners and in fashion shows. From the interview:
“I started my modelling career in 2013 when I signed my first modelling contract in Russia. I worked extensively as a local model and appeared on the covers of top magazines in my hometown…”
In the same year (2013), she secured her first international modelling contract with Elite Model Management in Shanghai. She then went on to work with Esee Models. She lived and worked in Shanghai for about 4.5 years, gaining international modelling experience.
International Modelling Career & Move to the U.S.
After her time in Shanghai, Irina participated in the Miss Russia pageant, and then moved to the U.S., settling in Washington. There, her modelling career continued to develop. In the interview she says:
“I’ve been a professional model for over 10 years, specialising in fashion and beauty. … I’ve been featured on the covers of magazines such as L’Officiel, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, and Elle.”
She also signed with the agency Wilhelmina Models in Miami and still pursues modelling there. Her Instagram handle is @zhdanovadiary, where she describes her work as “Beauty, self-care, fashion Collabs”.
Brand Collaborations & Influencer Work
Beyond traditional modelling, Irina has made a mark as an influencer. From the interview:
“I also work as an influencer and have had the opportunity to collaborate with brands such as Shiseido, Obagi, Teddy Blake, Le Tanneur, T3 Micro, and others.”
Her brand partnerships reflect her alignment with beauty, fashion and self-care niches. On her Instagram she shows a mix of modelling work, lifestyle content, beauty routines and brand collaborations.
Challenges & Resilience
Irina is open about the hard reality behind the glamour. In the interview she highlights several challenges:
- At 5′7″ she faced height-related limitations in an industry that often favours taller models.
- In Shanghai with Elite Model Agency she underwent weekly measurements and weigh-ins: “If we gained weight, they would cut our pocket money … and tell us to lose it by the next week’s measurement.”
- She had to attend 3 to 10 castings a day, stay always presentable, maintain skin, hair, positive attitude.
- She worked in extremes: swimwear outside in snow, fur coats in hot weather, adapting to very diverse conditions.
- She endured rejection: agents/clients told her “you’re not tall enough, thin enough, good enough”. Over time, she says this built her resilience.
- Travel, adaptation to new cities solo, language requirements, long separation from family – emotional and physical endurance was required.
Through these challenges, she emphasises:
“What really distinguishes me is my ability to blend professionalism with authenticity, and I believe that has allowed me to form strong, lasting relationships with the clients and brands I work with.”
Style, Personal Brand & What Sets Her Apart
Irina emphasises three core differentiators:
- Global experience: Having worked in Russia, China (Shanghai), USA (Washington/Miami) gave her exposure to multiple markets and cultures.
- Adaptability & resilience: She kept moving forward despite height/industry constraints and rejection.
- Authenticity + professionalism: She values being true to herself, forming genuine brand relationships, not just photo-ops.
Her Instagram narrative supports this: she mixes polished modelling visuals with behind-the-scenes, workouts, beauty/self-care insights.
Current Focus & Future Outlook
Today Irina continues to model, collaborate with high-end beauty/fashion brands, influence the lifestyle/self-care segment, and raise her profile as a digital personality. She brings together her modelling credentials and influencer presence to evolve her personal brand.
She has stated that she is proud of how far she’s come, especially building success on her own terms and staying true to who she is. She aims to keep forming and maintaining meaningful brand-partnerships, likely expanding her influence in beauty-fashion-lifestyle space.
Irina Zhdanova’s journey is a testament to the behind-the-scenes hard work, international mobility, adaptability and brand-savvy required in today’s modelling + influencer ecosystem. Starting from Russia in 2013, moving through Shanghai for 4.5 years, then relocating to the U.S., she leveraged her modelling experience into a broader influencer role. While she faced height/industry-standard obstacles and emotional/physical challenges, she built a career based on resilience and authenticity. Her brand collaborations and Instagram presence now reflect a lifestyle-beauty-fashion focus, and she continues to grow in that space.
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