Vogue CS in English
Life Beyond the Runway: Tatiana Korsakova on Building a Life with Intention
Kristýna Jandová17. 6. 2026
What happens when a model, entrepreneur, and mother returns to fashion on her own terms? Tatiana Korsakova is redefining success for a generation of women who no longer believe they have to choose.
Foto: Fernando Gómez
Left: blouse and skirt, ZIMMERMANN; right: earrings, ALAÏA
For many, Tatiana Korsakova is a familiar face from the worlds of fashion and beauty. Over the past decade, however, she has focused on building businesses, raising a family, and shaping a life rooted in wellness, purpose, and conscious living. Now, as she embarks on a new chapter in fashion, Korsakova reflects on motherhood, entrepreneurship, and why experience has become one of the industry’s most valuable assets.
After years spent building businesses, raising a family, and shaping a life beyond fashion, what does returning to the runway mean to you personally at this stage of your life?
What excites me about fashion today is the growing appreciation for character and life experience, not just traditional notions of beauty. Audiences want to see women who have lived, who have stories to tell. At a recent Chanel show, for instance, there were women in their sixties with backgrounds in ballet walking the runway. Seeing women like that feels incredibly authentic and inspiring. When you see a woman with experience wearing a beautiful dress, you connect not only with the clothes but with the person. It feels more relatable and, in many ways, more aspirational. Returning to the runway now feels special because I am bringing far more of myself to it than I ever could have when I was younger.
Your journey has evolved far beyond modelling. Was there a particular moment when you realised you wanted to build something more lasting and meaningful beyond the fashion industry?
There came a point when I realised that much of the industry is driven by hype and short-lived trends. While there is certainly a place for that, I’ve always been more interested in creating something with longevity. Quality is everything to me. I’m highly detail-oriented, and I want to create products that women genuinely enjoy wearing and return to again and again. For me, true luxury lies in craftsmanship, durability, and the way something makes a woman feel. I wanted to build a business that is both aspirational and responsible. Sustainability and conscious production matter to me not because they are fashionable topics, but because they are essential to creating something with integrity. Ultimately, my goal has always been to create products that remain relevant and meaningful long after a trend has passed.
Foto: Fernando Gómez
Left: pants and jacket, SPORTMAX; right: skirt, ALAÏA
You often speak about balance, wellness, and intentional living. How has motherhood changed your definition of success and ambition?
Motherhood gave me a much longer perspective. It made me think about legacy, responsibility, and the example I want to set for my children. That’s one of the reasons I built my businesses around principles of sustainability and conscious consumption. I wanted to create something meaningful and enduring rather than something driven purely by short-term success.
Today, ambition isn’t about doing more; it’s about creating better. It’s about building businesses with purpose, producing quality products that people genuinely value, and being mindful of the impact we have on the world around us. Success and responsibility should be able to coexist, and that’s something I hope to pass on to my children.
Many women still feel pressured to choose between career, family, and personal fulfilment. Have you ever struggled with that expectation yourself, and how did you redefine it on your own terms?
Absolutely. One thing I always remind myself is that I’m doing the best I can. As women, we often place enormous pressure on ourselves, and I think it’s important to approach life with self-compassion. If we don’t support ourselves mentally, who will?
For me, balance comes from being realistic about what I can achieve and not setting impossible expectations. I try not to pursue perfection in every area of life at once. Meditation and wellness practices help me stay grounded, and I make time for reflection whenever I can.
Of course, there are moments when I feel overwhelmed. That’s part of life, especially as a mother and entrepreneur. The key is recognising those moments, being kind to yourself, and understanding that balance isn’t about perfection – it’s about learning to navigate different seasons of life with grace.
Your return to modelling feels less like a comeback and more like a new chapter shaped by experience and confidence. Do you feel differently walking into the industry now compared to the beginning of your career?
I do. The industry has evolved, and so have I. Brands today understand that they need to speak the same language as their customers. Luxury fashion isn’t purchased exclusively by very young women, and clients increasingly want to see themselves reflected in the brands they support.
When women watch a runway show, they want to imagine themselves in the clothes. They want to understand how those pieces might fit into their own lives. Seeing women of different ages and experiences on the catwalk creates a stronger connection because it feels authentic.
The runway is no longer only about presenting an idealised image; it’s also about representing the customer. Women want to see confidence, character, and experience reflected back at them, and brands that recognise this are building a much deeper relationship with their audience.
Foto: Fernando Gómez
Swimsuits, VAARA
Wellness is at the heart of both your personal philosophy and VAARA. What originally inspired you to create a brand centred around movement, femininity, and mindful living?
Women's lifestyles have changed dramatically over the past decade, and beauty has evolved alongside them. Today, women are far more focused on overall wellbeing. They exercise regularly, pay attention to nutrition, prioritise sleep, and invest in both their physical and mental health. That shift was one of the inspirations behind VAARA. I wanted to create a brand that reflected how modern women actually live. For me, wellness isn't just about fitness; it's about balance, confidence, strength, and taking care of yourself holistically.
I was also inspired by the idea that femininity and strength are not opposites. A woman can be active, ambitious, elegant, and mindful all at the same time. VAARA was created to support that way of living. Today, that philosophy extends into every aspect of our products. We use non-toxic, beauty-infused fabrics enriched with skincare ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Vitamin E that care for the skin as you move, reflecting our belief that activewear should support wellbeing in a more holistic way.
VAARA exists in a space between fashion, sport, and lifestyle. What do you think modern women are searching for today that traditional luxury brands may no longer fully provide?
The reason I started VAARA was very personal. As a busy mother, businesswoman, and someone who has always loved sport, I struggled to find activewear that felt kind to the skin, was made from beautiful, high-quality fabrics, had longevity, and aligned with my values around sustainability. As mothers, we have a responsibility to the next generation, and I wanted products that reflected that.
I also found myself wearing activewear throughout the entire day - to business meetings, school runs, while travelling, and, of course, while exercising. I wanted to create something that would make women feel comfortable and confident in all aspects of their lives. Much of what was available at the time felt overly technical, uncomfortable, or disconnected from the reality of how women actually live. In many ways, activewear still felt quite synthetic and utilitarian.
From day one, VAARA was created to fill that gap. I wanted to blur the line between activewear and ready-to-wear, combining exceptional quality, comfort, and elegance in pieces that women could genuinely live in. Quality has always been at the heart of the brand, as has manufacturing in Europe. That was a principle from the beginning because I wanted to maintain high standards of craftsmanship, responsibility, and attention to detail.
Today, women are looking for products that are versatile, beautifully made, and aligned with the way they live. They want thoughtful design, lasting quality, and brands that genuinely understand their needs. Many of our designs draw inspiration from iconic moments in fashion history. Rather than chasing trends, we focus on creating pieces that women will return to season after season – pieces designed to stand the test of time.
You have worked with some of the world's most recognised luxury fashion and beauty houses. What lessons from that world have stayed with you the most as an entrepreneur?
The biggest lesson is that trust matters more than visibility. The moment a brand communicates with honesty and respect, something shifts. What was once a one-way message becomes a relationship. That sense of understanding creates trust, and trust ultimately leads to loyalty.
The most successful luxury houses understand that their role is not only to sell products but to create a world that people genuinely want to be part of. That requires consistency, clarity, and a strong point of view, but also the humility to listen and evolve alongside your customer.
As an entrepreneur, that has stayed with me more than anything else. Long-term success is built on relationships. When a brand and its customer genuinely speak the same language, everything becomes more meaningful.
You have built a public presence that feels remarkably authentic in an era often dominated by performance and perfection. Was it always important for you to present a more honest and balanced image of womanhood?
Yes, absolutely. I believe people can sense authenticity, even through a screen or a social media platform. That’s always mattered to me. I’ve never felt comfortable presenting an image that feels disconnected from who I am in real life.
Of course, social media allows us to share curated moments, but I think people today are looking for something deeper. They want honesty, relatability, and a sense of connection. They want to see women who are navigating the same challenges, responsibilities, and experiences they face themselves. For me, it’s always been important to show a balanced picture of life. There are moments of success and celebration, but there are also periods of uncertainty, hard work, and growth. That’s what makes someone relatable and trustworthy.
Ultimately, authenticity isn’t about sharing everything; it’s about making sure that what you do share is true to who you are. People recognise that, and it creates a far more meaningful connection over time.
Foto: Fernando Gómez
Left: pants, SPORTMAX; right: dress, ALBERTA FERRETTI
Looking back at the younger version of yourself entering the modelling industry for the first time, what advice would you give her now?
The modelling industry can be a very challenging environment when you’re just starting out, especially because you’re still discovering who you are as a person. You’re growing, finding your confidence, and learning about yourself, while constantly being surrounded by people telling you what’s good for you, what isn’t, who you should be, and how you should present yourself. In those circumstances, it can be difficult to stay connected to your own sense of identity.
The advice I would give my younger self is to trust herself more and always remain professional, regardless of the situation. Professionalism is something people recognise and respect. When you approach your work with consistency, discipline, and integrity, that energy is reflected back to you. I’d also say: respect yourself and respect others. Don’t allow yourself to be placed in situations that compromise your values or make you uncomfortable. When people see that you take yourself seriously, they understand that you have serious intentions.
Ultimately, your reputation is your greatest asset. Trends come and go, careers evolve, but hard work, professionalism, and the way you treat people are what stay with you throughout your life. That’s the foundation on which a lasting career is built.
How has your relationship with beauty evolved as you've grown older and more confident in yourself?
Health is your greatest wealth – and one of the most important foundations of beauty. You can often tell when someone treats themselves with self-respect and self-worth. It shows not only in their appearance, but also in the way they carry themselves, communicate, and engage with the world. True beauty extends far beyond physical features; it comes from confidence, vitality, and a sense of inner balance.
For me, health is an investment in the future. The choices we make today – how we nourish ourselves, how we move, how we manage stress, how we care for our mental wellbeing – are the seeds we plant for who we become in thirty or forty years’ time. As I’ve grown older, my focus has shifted away from chasing perfection and towards building strength, energy, and wellbeing. When you prioritise your inner health, it naturally radiates outward. Beauty becomes less about appearance alone and more about how you feel, how you live, and the confidence that comes from taking care of yourself.
What kind of example do you hope to set for your children through the way you approach work, creativity, and life?
I believe children learn far more from what they observe than from what they are told. The person I am at work is very much the same person I am at home, and I think that consistency matters. My projects are a reflection of my inner world – of my values, beliefs, and principles. Things like transparency, integrity, respect for others, and a strong work ethic all begin within us. They are shaped by our families, our communities, and the environments we create around us.
I’m very happy that my children are able to see how I approach my work, because I hope they understand that success comes through dedication, discipline, and treating people with kindness and respect. More than any particular achievement, I want them to recognise the importance of building a life that is aligned with their values.
If they take anything from me, I hope it’s the belief that hard work, curiosity, and integrity can take you a very long way, and that whatever path they choose, they should pursue it with purpose, respect, and authenticity.
Foto: Fernando Gómez
Left: earrings, ALAÏA; right: swimsuit, VAARA
As you enter this new chapter, what excites you most creatively and personally about the future?
What excites me most is seeing how fashion continues to evolve alongside wellness and the growing focus on longevity. Fashion alone is fascinating, but what interests me even more is how it connects to a broader conversation about health, wellbeing, confidence, and the way we choose to live our lives. In recent years, there has been a significant shift. Women are prioritising their health, investing in themselves, and embracing a more holistic approach to beauty and ageing. That feels incredibly inspiring because it reflects a deeper understanding that confidence and beauty are built from within.
Personally, I’m excited to enter this new chapter with a fresh perspective. Motherhood, life experience, hard work, and personal growth have all shaped who I am today. Rather than taking anything away, I believe these experiences make women stronger, more confident, and more interesting.
I have seen so many remarkable women return to fashion after motherhood, career changes, or periods dedicated to personal growth and education. They come back with a stronger sense of identity and purpose. There’s a depth to them that wasn’t there before. You can see it in the way they carry themselves, the way they speak, and the way they present themselves to the world. They feel like a fascinating book that you want to read all over again.
That’s what excites me about the future: the opportunity to be part of a fashion industry that increasingly celebrates experience, individuality, wellness, and authenticity. I’m curious to see where this evolution takes us, and I’m excited to contribute my own perspective to that conversation.
Photo: Fernando Gómez
Fashion Director: Milena Žuravljova
Styling: Alexandra Belous
Talent: Tati K (Tatiana Korsakova)
Hair: Miguel Martin Perez (Forward Artists) with products Hair Rituel by Sisley a ghd hair
Make-up: Alex Reader (One Represents) with products Lisa Eldridge
Production: Olga Timofejeva
Casting: Anna Kozyakova
Fashion Director: Milena Žuravljova
Styling: Alexandra Belous
Talent: Tati K (Tatiana Korsakova)
Hair: Miguel Martin Perez (Forward Artists) with products Hair Rituel by Sisley a ghd hair
Make-up: Alex Reader (One Represents) with products Lisa Eldridge
Production: Olga Timofejeva
Casting: Anna Kozyakova
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