From Russia with love

FACE OF VENOM: Her international good looks have helped Maryana Petrovskaya to become the face of Invercargill's Salon Venom.

FAMILY VISIT: Maryana Petrovskaya returned to Russia last year to visit her family and friends.

AT HOME: Maryana Petrovskaya, 17, at home with her pet dog Sophie.

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Two years ago Maryana Petrovskaya hit the limelight after winning a modelling competition. Fashion reporter Craig Lawson catches up with her and discusses her dreams.

Moving from Russia to Invercargill has helped this teenager to pursue a dream she never thought possible.

Maryana Petrovskaya, 17, says the move to New Zealand has opened up a world of opportunity for her.

"I would never have modelled in Russia, it is just too dangerous," she says.

"Young models can be taken advantage of, people can be harsh and it's a tough environment."

She arrived in Invercargill three years ago and it took seven months for her international good looks to be noticed by Kiwi fashionistas.

Winning the first Venom Model Search competition in 2007 has seen her become the face of the Invercargill hairdressing salon.

Venom owner Adrian Barclay says she is magical to watch when in front of the camera.

"She can move between looks so easily, from glam to beautiful to edgy," he says.

She has modelled throughout New Zealand, including iD fashion week in Dunedin and Wella Trend Vision in Auckland.

She has been back to Russia once since moving to New Zealand and recalls the emotional experience.

"I was really nervous. It was really hard going back to see my friends and family," she says.

She arrived in the middle of winter to a very low temperature of -3degC.

Her family enjoyed seeing photographs of her new-found success and were pleased to see how well she was doing.

It was sad for her to leave Russia, but she is enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle.

"My life is here now and I was definitely happy coming back."

Next year she will complete her final year at James Hargest College and plans to go to university.

But she still has a dream of an international modelling career.

"I want the glamorous life of a supermodel with all the travel," she says.

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