SNEJANA ONOPKA

 Snejana Onopka: Ukrainian Supermodel and Fashion Icon

Early Life and Discovery

Snejana Onopka was born on December 15, 1986, in Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine. In 2001, she moved to Kyiv, where she was discovered by a foreign scout at the age of 15, marking the beginning of her modeling career. ​

Rise to Fame

Onopka's breakthrough came in 2005 when renowned photographer Steven Meisel photographed her for Prada and Dolce & Gabbana's fall campaigns. He also featured her on two covers of Vogue Italia, establishing her as one of his muses. ​

She debuted on the runway by closing the Marc by Marc Jacobs show in New York and opened shows for Dolce & Gabbana and Karl Lagerfeld. Her distinctive look and presence quickly made her a sought-after model in the fashion industry. ​

Career Highlights

Throughout her career, Onopka has worked with prestigious brands such as Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Max Mara, Hugo Boss, Etro, and Emilio Pucci. She has graced the covers of international editions of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, Elle, and i-D. 

On the runway, she has walked for top designers including Chanel, Gucci, Anna Sui, Christian Dior, Versace, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, and Isabel Marant. In 2012, she featured in a Tom Ford Beauty campaign alongside the designer himself. ​

In 2021, Onopka participated in Alex Luna's art project "Somnia Disaster," dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy, showcasing her continued involvement in creative endeavors. ​

Personal Life

Onopka was previously engaged to Ukrainian businessman Oleksandr Onyshchenko in 2009. In 2011, she married Mykola Shchur, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2020 amid allegations of abuse. In 2022, she relocated to Riga, Latvia, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She announced her remarriage in a 2024 Instagram post. ​

Legacy

Snejana Onopka's impact on the fashion industry is marked by her collaborations with top designers and photographers, as well as her appearances on major runways and magazine covers. Her journey from a small town in Ukraine to international stardom serves as an inspiration to aspiring models worldwide.