Cover featuring Inna Zobova

 

Inna wears Stéphane Rolland haute couture, high jewelry ring and necklace by Damiani.

From the runways of Paris to the ateliers of haute couture, Inna Zobova has lived many lives, supermodel, actress, philanthropist, and designer. Discovered almost by chance, she rose to international fame working with fashion icons such as Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino Garavani, and Alexander McQueen, before fronting major campaigns for international brands. 

Yet behind the glamour lies a woman of remarkable depth. Born with a heart condition that nearly took her life, Inna transformed her personal story into a mission of compassion through The Heart Fund Foundation, helping bring life-saving care to children around the world. 

Today, her focus turns to INNANGELO, a silk-art label that bridges fashion and fine art, inviting renowned artists to collaborate on limited-edition creations. Rooted in craftsmanship and emotional storytelling, her work celebrates individuality, beauty and resilience. 

In a haute couture cover story for Arabian Moda, Inna reflects on the golden age of fashion, her evolution from muse to creator, and how she continues to turn art, fashion, and philanthropy into one seamless expression of the heart.

Fashion Editor & Stylist: Victor Concepto 
Photographer & Filmmaker: Iris Brosch 
Director of Photography: Wilmar Baracaldo Marin
Makeup Artist: Karine Marsac 
Hair Stylist: Natalia Sereda
Set Production: Stéphane Blanc
Location: Paris, France

Dress, Stéphane Rolland. Ring and Necklace, Damiani.

AM: You’ve had such an impressive modeling career, how did it all begin? 
Inna Zobova: Like many things in life, it was a mix of effort and magic. A friend of mine was modeling and one day she told me, “You have everything it takes to be a model.” We went to an agency together, and they decided to sign me. I stayed with that same agency for my entire 15-year modeling career.

AM: What were some of the challenges you faced as a model?
Inna Zobova: Oh, there were many! But the biggest one was developing true resilience. Modeling demands constant hard work and inner strength. There are two types of models, those who chase the “bling bling,” and those who immerse themselves in the art and beauty of it all. I was one of the latter. And I think that’s why so many of us, later on, become successful businesswomen, because we’ve already learned perseverance and self-discipline.

Dress, Alexis Mabille. Bracelet, Marli.

AM: How did you handle rejection early in your career?
Inna Zobova: Rejection is part of the job, one of the hardest parts, actually. But I learned not to take it personally. It’s rarely about you; it’s about the project, the client, or the creative vision they have in mind. Once you understand that, it hurts less. You learn to stay confident and keep going. Modeling, like acting, teaches you to stay open and expressive, even when the answer is “no.”

AM: And what about sudden fame and success, how did you navigate that?
Inna Zobova: I felt genuinely happy. When I signed the Wonderbra contract, which was a very prestigious deal at the time, especially in Europe, it gave me a voice, a way to express myself. I didn’t see it as fame; I saw it as an opportunity to show who I am. I hoped it was the beginning, not the peak.

Dress, Stéphane Rolland. Earrings, Damiani.

AM: You’ve worked with fashion legends. What stayed with you from those experiences?
Inna Zobova: It was a golden era. Designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino Garavani, and Alexander McQueen were each at the summit of their art. Yves Saint Laurent would give flowers to every model after a show, such an elegant gesture amid the chaos of couture. It showed how deeply he valued people. Valentino taught me refinement, even how to choose the right shade of red for blondes. Every designer was a teacher in some way. Those years were a school of life, a world of beauty, culture, and humanity. 

I remember flying to Italy on the first morning plane, then returning home on the last one, just to feed my child. It was exhausting, but also profoundly beautiful.

AM: Looking back, what do you think was the key to your success? And was luck part of it?
Inna Zobova: To be a successful runway model, you need the right proportions, height, and above all, discipline. I was lucky to have the right body, yes, but it was consistency and work ethic that sustained my career. Seven years were spent under exclusive contracts, first with Wonderbra, then as the beauty face of Sephora. When major fashion and beauty houses trust you with their image, it’s no longer about luck, it’s about professionalism and presence.

Later, I studied at the New York Film Academy and trained with Jack Waltzer in acting. I completed an art history program at the École du Louvre, and studied “Running Your Own Label” at Central Saint Martins in London. All of these experiences shaped my vision and helped me build my brand, INNANGELO, a meeting point between art, fashion, and soul.

Dress, Emanuel Ungaro. Earrings and necklace, Damiani.

AM: You also appeared as a mentor on an international version of America’s Next Top Model. What was that experience like?
Inna Zobova: I was invited as a mentor for young girls who dreamed of becoming models. I helped them with body language, camera presence, and confidence, and even did some shoots as a photographer. We talked about what truly makes a model: not only appearance, but presence, awareness, and discipline. That experience inspired me to one day open a school where I can share real knowledge about this profession, from artistry to ethics.

AM: Your philanthropic work with The Heart Fund Foundation is equally remarkable. How did it begin?
Inna Zobova: It’s very personal. I was born with a hole in my heart, and doctors didn’t think I would live past 13. A surgery saved me, and ever since, I’ve felt deeply connected to this cause.

Through The Heart Fund, we’ve been able to provide mobile diagnostic units and even a small plane to reach children in remote areas. Our annual gala in Cannes has raised significant awareness and funds, even artists like Leonardo DiCaprio and Beth Ditto have supported the cause by purchasing my artwork. It’s incredibly fulfilling to give back this way. The heart, quite literally, takes me to heart.

Dress, Alexis Mabille. Earring, ring and bracelet, Poiray.

AM: Tell us more about your brand, INNANGELO.
Inna Zobova: INNANGELO is conceived as a modern art silk gallery. We collaborate with different artists for capsule collections, offering them scarves as a blank canvas. Once a year, I also design my own collection, usually launched during Fashion Week. The creative process is constant, ideas flow all the time. The real challenge is selecting which ones to develop, since production also has to balance creativity with commerciality.

AM: And what about the infamous collaboration with Mylène Farmer?
Inna Zobova: It was one of those magical, unexpected moments. Mylène saw my work and connected with it immediately. We showed her more pieces from INNANGELO, and she chose two that she especially loved. I’m always so grateful when true artists resonate with what I do.

Dress, Emanuel Ungaro. Necklace, Damiani.

AM: So what is your proudest career moment?
Inna Zobova: I think I might be the only model who has appeared on the cover of Vogue, and later had her own work featured on a Vogue cover! Vogue Portugal showcased my “Don’t Gossip” scarf collection, and that was a full-circle moment for me, both as a model and a creator.

Dress, INNANGELO.

AM: Finally, what’s next for you?
Inna Zobova: I want to take INNANGELO to the next level, to grow it into a true fashion house that bridges art, elegance, and emotion. I’d love to find the right investor to help make that dream a reality. My mission is to keep merging art and fashion in a meaningful way, while staying true to the philanthropic roots that inspire me. The journey is far from over, it’s only evolving.

And one day, to open a school for young models, a place where I can pass on everything I’ve learned about beauty, discipline, and purpose.