Check out our interview with former soccer player turned model Yura Tamirov who landed Harper Bazaar Vietnam’s new prestigious cover celebrating their 10-year anniversary.
Yura has such a humble and unique story – prior to becoming a model, he was a pro soccer player and served in the army, which gave him the opportunity to work as a policeman in his hometown of Moldova.
After being scouted, Yura has gone on to walk for top luxury brands including Dolce and Gabbana & Versace and also starred in a past Versace show commercial alongside Donatella herself. Yura has also shot campaigns for brands including Adidas, Diesel and most recently in an international campaign for Decimas Spain.
Follow Yura @yura.papi
Hi Yura, please tell us a little about you?
Hi, my name is Yura, I am 29 years old and I am originally from Republic of Moldova.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Tall, funny & hardworking
Name one your strengths?
One of my greatest strengths is that I always try to stay positive.
Best advice ever given?
To be myself!
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
My Mom, of course!
How and when did you start into modeling?
I started modelling right after I finished the army. A friend of mine showed my pictures to my future agent, so he reached out to me and the rest was simple.
What is fun and rewarding about modeling? And what is not?
The fun part for me is that I love to create and act as much as I can, that develops you and gives you a good drive. I can’t really find things that are not fun about modelling, but I can mention from my own experience that sometimes there is misunderstanding in the process of creating and working. I always believe that everything can be solved and the result is going to be like a fresh velvet cake!
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
To not stop.
The most important thing when you are shooting is?
Being myself and enjoying it. Then it’s about feeling the vibe, let it go through yourself.
What’s your advice for the newer models?
Again and again, the advice is to enjoy and be yourself. This is such a beautiful thing that we live in this era and we’re able to create and provide. WOW!
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
There is no difference for me between this business and other ones, because you always deal and work with people, so the most important thing is being positive, open and always ready to upgrade, learn, evolve.
Tell us about your work with Top Brands like Dolce and Gabbana & Versace?
Those jobs were just dreams coming true! For a guy like me, coming from that part of the world and get this experience with masters of the industry was just something else!!!!
And about the experience to be on the cover of Harper Bazaar Vietnam? Congrats!!
This cover was my favorite, a dream come true! My first big cover! I felt like a kid getting the best toy, I couldn’t stop staring at it!
What book should every entrepreneur read?
One of my favorites, “The energy bus.”
What actor/actress/model do you admire the most, and why?
Jamie Foxx all daaaaay! I simply love him. He has this combination of humor, artist, dignity and the way he improvises is just unbelievable!
What’s next for Yura Tamirov in 2021?
Only going up! Yura is ready to make the next big steps and finally getting on the big stage.
Which magazine or project is still on your bucket list?
I want all the top ones, of course. I can mention some of my favourite brands that I can’t wait to work for such as Tom Ford, Balmain, Versace, and of course as a sports fan, I would love a Nike campaign.
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
In five years I will have a few hundred covers and will be acting in a bunch of decent movies.
Now talking about Instagram, can you share some tips for keeping your account interesting?
I am fairly new on Instagram, so I am still a rookie. I try to share interesting content, things that keeps you entertained and inspire you.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
Haha, can I have at least one secret?!
What is your favourite healthy food?
As a person who loves food a lot, I can really eat almost everything, especially when it’s healthy. But I really LOVE shrimp!
And your favourite cheat food?
The burger from my favourite hotel in Mexico, Riviera Maya.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Freedom is happiness, happiness is freedom.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“Yura’s world”
How would your best friend describe you?
The good, the bad and the ugly.
What does fashion mean to you?
Oh, that’s a tough one. For me personally fashion is an art, where I can express myself and something that can activate all your senses without using any word or sound.
How would you explain your fashion style?
It’s a mix of who I am at the moment, it’s real time information about me, my passport let’s say. My fashion style is pretty simple, and minimalistic but with that strong vibe.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
From the lost ones, Nicola Tesla and Bruce Lee. They both lived on a different frequency, they are unique!
From those who are alive, Jamie Foxx of course and Steven Gerrard, the former captain of Liverpool Football Club, he had a very big influence on me.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
I would love to travel with my mom and discover the world. She gave me everything.
What do you like to watch on Tv?
I am a movie fan!!!! Recently I’ve watched again “The good, the bad and the ugly”, OUTSTANDING!
What music do you like?
Music is the most important phenomenon in my life. I listen almost to everything , my soul just loves it!
I love rock music very much. The eternals: Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Scorpions, Guns n Roses, Led Zeppelin and many more.
Do you support any charity?
I have close friend who support charities so I get more and more involved over time.
3 things you can’t leave home without?
Music, music, music.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Santa Monica beach!
Where we can follow you?
My Instagram profile: yura.papi
Holiday Destination: Bora Bora
Drink: Coconut water
Celebrity Crush: Used to be Cassie Ventura
Favorite song? Why? Scorpions-Still loving you. That guitar !!!!!
Sports Team: Liverpool FC
Movie: The Dark Knight
