One of the world's top European models who has graced many international magazine covers, 22-year-old Lera Korytska, has made South Africa her home after falling in love with Cape Town and its people.

Born on the 25th of June 1986 in an industrial city called Zaporozze in the Ukraine, Lera was the only child to her father (a private lawyer) and mom (housewife).

"While growing up I enjoyed being the only child as I didn't have to share toys, sweets and my parents' love. I could have it all to myself. But since I travel so much and don't have a chance to visit home that often, I sometimes get sad as I know that my parents are lonely and always count the minutes to when they'll see me again."

While growing up, Lera never thought she had what it takes to be a top international model, as she was extremely skinny and did not consider herself to be pretty or good looking.

"I think I looked more like my father up to the age of 15, like a boy, while my mom loved to dress me up in some special outfits. Looking back at those old pictures I now realise I was a little weirdo," she chuckles.

How it all started

Confessing that she was and still is a very shy person, Lera's mom decided to send her to modelling school when she was 13.

"She wanted me to learn how to do proper make-up, how to act, walk with confidence and improve my posture. Within a few months I was sent to the capital of the Ukraine to get my first test shoot. After that, a talent scout from Paris came to the agency I was with looking for new faces for his agency in Paris. The response was good, but I was too young for them so I had to wait another year till they could invite me to join."

At the tender age of 14 Lera, together with her mom, went to Paris, France. After a month, her mom returned home and Lera had to live by herself for another month — an experience which she describes as the most difficult time of her life.

"Since I was living alone in an agency flat and didn't speak English, I felt scared and lonely. I cried my eyes out every night and had all my meals from McDonalds.

Although it was hard, I don't regret it for a second as it taught me very valuable lessons that I still use in my every day life. It doesn't matter what language you speak or in what part of the world you find yourself — everyone understands a smile. And if you're lost or in some kind of trouble you should never give up, because there will always be a way to sort it out and everything will turn out just the way it should be."

She considers her greatest achievements as being able to travel all over the world and join great agencies. "Personally, I've never done anything that I regret and that's what matters at the end of the day — things change, and you have to live with yourself and what you do in life right up to the end."

It was in 2004 that Lera was first introduced to South Africa. "My agent asked me if I wanted to come and of course I said yes. I still remember sitting at the SA embassy in the Ukraine, looking at the beautiful pictures of the Waterfront and Clifton beach. I kept thinking that those places were only for rich people and I would end up living in a bush and going to castings in a safari jeep! When I got here, I was so relieved to be mistaken since all this beauty was right here."

Finding love in the Cape

Since then Lera has moved to Cape Town, living in the Mother City for most of the year. "The rest of the year I spend between the Ukraine and working in Europe. I love Cape Town — the sky, the sunsets, the opportunity to every day do something different, and I especially love how friendly and open people are here. The whole lifestyle is different from the rest of the world as people seem to enjoy every day and the beauty that surrounds them."

A home and career was also not the only things that Cape Town had in store for Lera — she also found love here.

"Chad and I met four years ago through a friend. I didn't know many people at the time and as I'm shy I find it difficult talking to people I just met, so I rushed off to my comfort zone group of friends. But the second time I saw him I'll never forget, because that was the moment I realised that I was in trouble and falling in love.

We were in a night club and he came up to me and started talking about a famous soccer star from the Ukraine, pretending to be a fan. I suddenly realised that we were talking for more than an hour and not once did I feel shy or uncomfortable. That was very special to me. There are so many things I love about him. He respects people, is funny, generous, sweet, real, romantic, unselfish, caring, and just a beautiful person inside and out."

According to Lera, the modelling industry in SA is very different than abroad. "People are more chilled, nicer and treat you better. The whole vibe is much friendlier than overseas."

A 'crazy dreamer'

Describing herself as a "crazy dreamer", Lera enjoys reading, going to the beach, meeting with friends, going to the movies, sleeping, loving animals, and attempting to cook "something decent".

The greatest challenge that Lera had to face in her life was trying to save a family member from alcohol addiction. "Fighting for that person even when there is no progress and everything goes in circles, and everyone seems to be giving up — it doesn't get any harder than that!"

Her philosophy in life is that what goes around comes around. "If you do something bad, then expect it to come back to you, even if it takes 40 years. On the other hand, if you do something good, then only good will come to you. I also believe that everything happens for a reason, even if you don't agree with it at the moment it happens."

In conclusion, Lera says that she dreams of one day opening her own little tea garden where she will serve different teas from around the world and homemade cookies. "And maybe start a tradition of old people coming every Sunday evening for some retro dancing... "

Lera is represented by the prestigious Y Models agency in South Africa.