Kristina Bazan is anything but your typical 22 year old. The Switzerland-born fashion blogger co-founded her website Kayture.com at just 17 with her then friend and now business partner James Chardon.
When the two decided to take their online project a little more seriously and forgo university, they had the daunting task of convincing their skeptical parents that it could become a lucrative endeavour. And all that with no initial investment, no brand sponsorship or consistent customer base and – Kristina isn’t ashamed to admit – not a whole lot of knowledge about the industry they were about to enter: “When Vogue flew me to Tokyo for Fashion Night Out I had no idea who Michael Kors was. I’d only heard of Anna Wintour twice!” she laughs. “I’m really happy I came into the industry with such a naive view and grew to learn everything.”
Just five years later, Kristina has amassed 2.3 million Instagram followers, is rumoured to earn seven figures a year as ambassador for L’Oreal and, having irrefutably conquered the blogging world, has started to expand into other creative fields.
On set our shoot for the Emirates Woman April issue
Kristina on labels (and we don’t mean designer ones):
“I don’t really like labelling myself. I just know I’m a very creative person and I have a lot to share. I want to express myself on different platforms, whether it’s text, photography or music. I just want to create.”
Kristina on staying grounded:
“I have a lot of empathy and I manage to put myself in a lot of different positions. I write articles from my point of view, but I always have in mind what my readers are going to feel when they read it. And I try not to take myself too seriously.”
Kristina with Style Director Jade Sprowson
Kristina on starting from the bottom:
“When I was growing up I couldn’t afford a designer bag or anything like that, and I’d never showcase expensive clothing on my blog… I didn’t come from money and I’m an example of how you can start with nothing and achieve something pretty cool. It gives hope to a lot of girls.”
Look by Polo Ralph Lauren
Kristina on branching into music:
“I play keys and compose all my own songs. But people already know me for something else so I have to be very careful about the way I release my music.”
Kristina on the blogging bubble:
“I don’t want to be just confined to this blogging bubble – I want to make things happen outside it and not just be a virtual personality… One major thing is that I’m becoming an official spokesperson for L’Oreal. It’s an incredible step for me because there aren’t that many digital It-girls that are able to transition to the actual print world.”
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Kristina Bazan
• She’ll patiently take a lot of pictures before she gets the ‘right one’.
• She didn’t initially plan to be a blogger but she always knew she would create something –she’s already published a book and is starting her music career.
• She puts on black wigs when she has the urge to dye her hair darker.
• She’s obsessed with coconut oil and carries it with her everywhere to use as make-up remover, a hair mask and a face and body moisturiser.
• She used to buy a bottle of perfume on every holiday so she could keep a scent to remind her of the trip.
What you will learn from the April issue
The health status of the UAE, just in time for World Health Day
How new mums in Dubai are enjoying post-baby A-list treatment from their maternity suites
The newest food trend of the year is a lot more local than you might think
Also out this month: Emirates Bride
What you will learn from Bride
• The skin-care toolbox essentials necessary for any last minute skin emergencies
• How some lucky couples found real love in the UAE
• All the benefits of yoga that future brides should really be taking advantage of
For the full interview with Kristina Bazan buy the April issue of Emirates Woman, out on newsstands now.
Don’t forget to write to at emirateswoman@motivate.ae to tell us what you loved about the April issue. You could even win yourself a swanky Sony Xperia Z5 phone by doing so.
