Katya is simply unforgettable. Once you meet her, you’ll never forget her smile, laughter or wisdom. She oozes so much confidence, brilliance and charisma into any room. I first met Katya during a photo-shoot and she was so humble during the experience – even though she was transitioning outfits and accessories as we took turns styling her. She took time to speak to us about “true beauty,” and how we all exemplify our own unique sense of beauty that we can all find within ourselves.

This month (our theme being: Brand New You) we thought Katya would be the perfect symbol of someone who knows how to brand herself in a wonderful and inspiring way that EVERY woman can learn from. During our shoot with MUA/blogger Miss Merli – Katya shared a bit about her background in Russia (where she quit smoking at 24 just after looking in the mirror and realizing it just didn’t fit her modeling and reporter image), how she maintains a healthy diet, and our bodies! Did you know “plus-size” in Russia literally means a size “plus” more? Katya gave us the 411 on how we as Americans look too deeply into terminologies, race and size. Read on to become enlightened and hopefully you’ll fall in love with our cover girl too,

24B: Tell us about your favorite editorial you’ve ever done.
KZ: I was the first and actually the only plus size model (thus far) who has appeared in a six-page Russian Cosmopolitan spread in 2006. This editorial was very important for me since at that time I was not represented by an agency and I was booked!  Lucky me :))

24B: When/What made you decide to become a plus-size model?
KZ: I was living in Germany with my parents in 1995 and saw a lot of German catalogs with plus size models. It was then that I had an idea to become a plus size model.  I was always curvy, not skinny, and never fit the standard size for fashion modeling in the industry. We moved back to Russia and my dream to become a plus size model was very frustrating but I found a modeling school and step by step started changing my opinions about models in Russia. Slowly people started working with me and my dream came true.

24B: Do you miss Russia?
KZ: I do! I am always cooking Russian food at home. It’s very important for me to eat a good, home cooked meal.

24B: What’re are some ways that we can love our bodies more?
KZ: There’s only one way – just start doing it! Nobody can help you except yourself/ only you can help yourself and start loving your own unique body. Begin by eating a good, healthy breakfast, skip the coffee  and believe me you will be glad all day because you will not be hungry. The body will appreciate how much you care for it.

24B: Can you elaborate more on tips and ideas to being happy?
KZ: Happiness means different things for each of us. For one person it could mean being healthy while another person needs money to make that happen. Somebody else might need to be in love but whatever your idea of happiness is, find your wants/desires and I promise you’ll be happy! :)

24B: Are you comfortable with the term plus-size?
KZ: Plus just means plus – it is not a bad word – it just means a size “plus more”.

24B: What are some plus-size brands you enjoy wearing?
KZ: I try to experiment with different designers like Domenique Auxilly dauxilly.com, and I love buying a lot of clothes.

24B: Tell us what makes you, you?!
KZ: Confident - alive – people lover – yoga enthusiast and the people I love surrounding me makes me: my dog, husband, friends, and parents.

24B: Tell us what you enjoy most about NYC.
KZ: I feel so much freedom here, in every way.

24B: Share the hardest part about modeling that you’ve experienced.
KZ: I think that the hardest part is traveling. You’re always far away from your family and experience jet leg. It is not easy – trust me ;)

24B: Do you think it’s hard to create a brand new you in your 20′s?
KZ: You just need to start doing what you want to do. It is not difficult. Just start today, not tomorrow… If you really want to start a brand new you. I always begin with shopping.

24B: Can you share a day in the life of a model?
KZ: Go-sees, eating, exercising, being a wife? For the last 45 days I’ve been to South Africa – New York – Puerto Rico – New York – Germany and now again back to USA. In the AM I have breakfast- followed by a shoot or go see, at noon I eat lunch (a good lunch, not just a sandwich but soup, rice, vegetables and fruit) at 5 pm – yoga- light dinner after. Around 7 pm or 8 pm a movie – studying English and hoola hoop.———————————————————————————————

Thanks for being our Feb Cover Girl Katya!
Stay updated on Katya Zharkova’s happenings via all networks – twitter, facebook + instagram
Photos co. Maddy Jones

Bombshell Rosie Huntington-Whiteley makes our list for best dressed this year at the Globes! She looked absolutely stunning and elegant in a black Saint Laurent gown with a sexy slit (from their Spring 2013 Collection). This dress is very “Angelina” not only because of the leg cleavage but also the folded embellished collar, letting Rosie’s toned arms do all the talking. The belt and shoes are from the same brand too, which she paired with her own earrings, and Dana Rebecca and Norman Silverman ring. Gosh, we love her simple makeup too – slightly colored orange-nude lips and bone straight side-parted hair. She’s just too gorgeous and this gown evokes her elegance even more.

This year we’ve learned about another blossoming designer Elissa French, a Wisconsin-native with the fashion line – Pistolette NY. Elissa describes her latest collection as being ” all about fun, individuality, and ease; spring flings, outdoor summer parties, barbecue’s, brunches, birthdays, and fireworks. The collection is inspired by busy women everywhere who want to look unique, without sacrificing too much comfort or cash.” This sounds like something we’re all aiming for.

Take a look at a few of our fave pieces in this slideshow we put together. Below, read our exclusive interview with Elissa as she helps us get to know her a little more and what her style, designs and life are all about.

24B: Tell us about your Spring 2013 designs – price ranges and your inspiration behind them.
I designed the collection starting with flattering silhouettes, easy fabrics, and fun colors and prints, then added special details like strategically placed sheer panels, complementary draping, and functional pockets to create a look that is fashionable, practical, and original. Our prices range from $128 to $210- for young women who aren’t necessarily into designer labels, but are willing to pay a little more for something exclusive (to avoid running into your H&M dress-twin, an unfortunate scenario we’ve all encountered!)

24B: How do you incorporate aspects of the Midwest into your Pistolette NY designs?
I think my Midwest upbringing is somewhat present in my design process; it shows up in my line’s wear ability and practicality.  Looking around the Midway airport right now, I think “fashion” in the Midwest is much more sensible and comfort-oriented.  In general you dress for the weather, and you dress for your own comfort. What’s considered “acceptable” and “in-style” here isn’t necessarily self-sacrificing or high-fashion. Of course my gate is heading to LaGuardia.  Here you see stiletto boots, torn denim, and patterned tights with shorts. Some might think our gate is not the most logically dressed for traveling in the winter, but as New Yorkers, there is a higher standard for dressing- Fashion is part of our lifestyle!  Back to my point- when I’m designing, I try to start with comfortable and flattering silhouettes and fabrics, and then add special details or prints that make the pieces unique and fashion forward, so that it’s the best of both worlds.

24B: If you could make anything, out of any material, what would it be and why?
I really love the idea of being able to make clothing out of natural material, because for one, that’s what we did in the beginning of time, and two- what could be more useful then being able to make your own clothing out of your natural surroundings!  I prefer the clothing I design and wear to be somewhat comfortable, so I would like to weave a skirt and top out of strips of banana leaves! I’m picturing something Jane of the Jungle or Brooke Shields from The Blue Lagoon would wear. I imagine it would be somewhat breathable, and hold up in the elements too!

24B:  How would you describe your style? And does that correlate with your pieces?
I would say my personal style and my design aesthetic are very similar. I like to dress tastefully prepared, especially in New York where one is likely to be going from one place to the next (work, meetings, dinner, drinks, parties etc.)  That means versatility, layering abilities, and pockets! Fashionably speaking, I like to be dressed differently then everyone else, without being too over the top, or dressed in head-to-toe glitter. In Pistolette, you won’t be the loudest girl in the room, but you will definitely be noticed and admired for your one-of-a-kind style!

24B: Who would you love to wear your clothes and why?
I would have to say…Rihanna!  Music and private life aside, I love her sense of style- it’s sexy and edgy- It can be masculine and strong + feminine and flirty at the same time.  I like when a woman can rock a very sexy style without looking too raunchy, and I think she does that well most of the time. I think Pistolette exemplifies similar qualities of poised femininity!

24B: What’s your favorite thing about living in NYC?
Again I love that in NYC, fashion is a lifestyle.  I mean we have a whole section in our newspaper devoted to fashion!? Even those who aren’t in the industry care about fashion.  I think one of the greatest things about New York -that’s unique from many other U.S. cities- is you can wear almost anything without feeling silly or out of place. Feel like wearing a bright pink bomber jacket?  Thigh-high socks? A fur hat? You’d rarely get a judgmental glance. Unless of course it’s in bad taste!

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Keep up with Elissa and all her collections + purchase her designs on PistoletteNY.com
To view the entire SS13 Collection go to Digital LOOK BOOK
Follow Elissa and Pistolette NY via the following: My Blog is here: Pistolette Tumblr 
Twitter: @PistoletteNY

As the holiday season swiftly approaches, transforming gracious gift givers into high strung, stressed out mall rats, shopping will be less of a theraputic act and more like the mile run in your year 10 gym class. (If you were athletic, ignore that. Your resident 24B fashion editor couldn’t finish a race without using up an entire inhaler and is still moderately bitter about being forced to try.)

Endless lines will be full of shoppers aching to be anywhere but that godforsaken line, namely walking out of that particular store and into the next. Record time is a concept that does not exist, last minute buying is never avoided and our wallets our noticeably slimmer. Tis the season, right?

When we were, say, eight, it was completely acceptable to make a gift, but as adults we seem to consult the holiday gift guides of Vogue, Target, Sears and Elle as we complete our shopping missions. Our receivers are the only ones opening less than personal gifts – we all know the feeling of tearing holiday themed paper only to find a mass produced top that someone else will no doubt be opening on that very same day.

This year, shop at your pace and design according to your inimitable creativity. We’ve consulted two of the top home & fashion DIY sources in the blogosphere, A Beautiful Mess and Honestly…WTF, for a list of 10 DIY gift ideas to save you from shopping mall stress, its bland offering and its unapologetic acquisition of all your bank account had to offer.

A Beautiful Mess

1) Lace Planters: Yes, in this photo they’re used for cacti, but that doesn’t mean you must bring the desert to your giftees. Get creative and apply this idea to anything home decor piece. Add lace to an empty wine bottle to create a unique flower vase, create your own design on a journal or embellish a plain picture frame. Hanging on the wall above your best friends’ ceramics, knick knacks and coffee table books could be 2) a gorgeous canvas portrait designed by you.  Long gone are the days where the portraits and paintings on your walls have nothing to do with what you wanted but only what was offered on a department store shelf. This extremely easy DIY can help you to create the perfect photo for your best friend, mother, father or aunt. Other wall art tutorialsyou may want to take a stab at are 3) this Lyric or Quote Wall Art tutorial and 4) this Modern Wall Art tutorial. 5) Chalkboard Mug/Handwritten Mugs: Whether chai is your cup of tea or you can’t move before you’ve ingested an obscene amount of espresso each morning, you’re sure to have a friend with the same habits. Create a mug that can be endlessly customized by its soon to be owner or permanently design one for those that you know best.

Honestly…WTF

Get ahead of the game for your friends this year with 6) this Dolce and Gabanna inspired Rose Trimmed Sunnies tutorial. Crushed in elegant ceramic florals, these glasses are the perfect, unexpected gift that your friends with spend months waiting to show off on the beach. Other covetable accessories you can easily make on your own are 7) this baroque inspired Gold Embellished Minaudiere and 8) these DIY Dolce inspired Lace Earrings. 
9) Cheers to the new year, the next birthday within your circle or just because it’s Friday with these Marbled Shot Glasses. They of course don’t have to be shot glasses – use any sort of glassware from wine glasses, glass mugs, water glasses, measuring cups – the list can and will go on, so take it where you may. Choose any color, create any design and gift with satisfaction to any friend or family member. Easily comparable and equally fantastic is 10) this Gold Dipped Glassware tutorial. Don’t stop with glasses though – create gold dipped mason jars to hold floral centerpieces or create a completely new and innovative way to apply this tutorial. Get creative and have fun!

Although we’ll always endorse a good DIY, we also completely relate to those that want to shop for their gifts. Part 2 of our Holiday shopping guide will be directed towards those that love the rush that only holiday consumerism can bring. So, be sure to check back in for our 10 favorite in-store gifts!

:: BEAUTY  Keira barely wears any makeup but her hair does all the beauty talking, not to mention those nails!

:: BEAUTY + STYLE  Melanie Lynskey is a seductress in “Seeking a Friend…” and wears gaudy jewelry that totally rocks. (Those earrings – *gasp want!!!) Keira’s blanket is also adorable and great for the fall/winter seasons as a cuddle item.

:: COOL STUFF  One of the most memorable parts of the movie was watching Steve Carrell whip out this old school cutesy record player and play classics, as he and Keira reminisce during their last days on earth. Check out the movie’s soundtrack on Spotify. Also, it was so cool when Keira runs out of her house in messy hair, a military jacket and pink dress with all her records on hand.

For more film caps, go here: Beyond Hollywood (photos co.)