Dresses by Needle & Thread @needleandthreadlondon Ring by Laruicci @laruicci
Talent: Kristina Zias & Raeann Langas @kristinazias @raeannlangas
Photography, Creative Direction, and Production by: Mike Ruiz
Editor-in-Chief: Dimitri Vorontsov
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon @718blonde
Hair: Luis Guillermo using Oribe @luisguillermobeauty @oribe
Makeup: Eric Vosburg @ericvosburg
Fashion Market Assistant: Skylar Elizabeth @skylar.e
Fashion Stylist Intern: Richelle Hodson @richellehodson
Location: New York, New York
Dresses by Needle & Thread @needleandthreadlondon Ring by Laruicci @laruicci
Kristina Zias
Journey to Confidence: Many admire your confidence and body positivity. Can you share a pivotal moment in your journey to self-love?
I spent the majority of my youth and young adult life insecure in my body, and one day I decided to embark on a weight loss journey. I worked out twice a day for a year and put myself on an insanely strict diet and lost a lot of weight. I dropped from a size 14 to a size 4, and when I was a size 4, I was still getting told by the modeling industry that I was “plus size”. My managers told me to lose weight if I ever wanted to “make it” in entertainment. I also wasn’t happy. I realized that my happiness wasn’t tied to my appearance and that if I wanted to live a happy life, I couldn’t restrict myself the way I was doing. I finally started to embrace my natural body and share my insecurities with the world online and realized I wasn’t alone. From there, I knew I needed to be the positive representation for myself and others.
Dresses by Tadashi Shoji @tadashishoji Earrings by Alexis Bittar @alexisbittar Earring by Laruicci @laruicci
Fashion For All: You’ve often advocated for inclusive fashion. What changes would you like to see in the fashion industry in the coming years?
I would love to see more ready to wear and designer brands offering sizing past a size 12. I would also love for women to be able to shop in person confidently knowing that they can find their size in store, no matter their size.
Role Models: Who were your biggest role models growing up, and how have they influenced your perspective on beauty and fashion?
I think I will forever be influenced by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. I loved and often emulated their style growing up and I still look at them for fashion influence now. I think they have taught me the beauty of evolving and that it’s okay to change your perspective.
Dresses by Tadashi Shoji @tadashishoji Earrings by Alexis Bittar @alexisbittar Earring by Laruicci @laruicci
Personal Style Evolution: How has your personal style evolved over the years, and what advice would you give to someone trying to discover their own style?
My style is very influenced by my environment. Growing up on the east coast I had more of a preppy style, then while I was working in men’s fashion, my style was heavily influenced by the boys. Living in Los Angeles for the past decade, my style was very laidback Cali cool. Now that I am back on the east coast, I am so excited to see how my style evolves! My advice for someone trying to discover their own style know that it’s ever-changing. Nothing has to be so set in stone or black and white, and in order to discover your own style you need to try new things. Fashion is fun! We don’t have to take it too seriously.
Dress by Tadashi Shoji @tadashishoji Earrings by Alexis Bittar @alexis bittar Ring by Laruicci @laruicci Shoes by Sam Edelman @sam_edelman
Future Projects: Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or collaborations? Now that I am a mom, I am super passionate about helping women find their confidence postpartum. I don’t think enough women share how much your sense of self and your confidence is affected after having kids. I want to help inspire women to find their confidence again post baby, so stay tuned!
Instagram: instagram.com/kristinazias
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinazias
Dress by Tadashi Shoji @tadashishoji Earrings by Alexis Bittar @alexis bittar Ring by Laruicci @laruicci Shoes by Sam Edelman @sam_edelman
Raeann Langas
Bridging the Gap: You’ve been a voice bridging the gap between straight and plus-size fashion. What inspired you to take up this mission?
I fall between what the industry deems “straight size” and “plus size”, which basically means I am too big to fit into most things from Zara, for example, but then too small to fit in specifically plus size brands. So much of my confidence has come through fashion and finding my personal style, and I try to help women around my size find things that fit their bodies and make them feel good. I think of my platform as a shopping tool, so women who also fall in the midsize category know where they find items that fit well and most importantly, make them feel hot!
Dress by Tadashi Shoji @tadashishoji Earrings by Alexis Bittar @alexis bittar Ring by Laruicci @laruicci Shoes by Sam Edelman @sam_edelman
What kind of advice can you give to your followers?
Three things that I have implemented into my life that have drastically affected my confidence are positive affirmations, movement, and community. Where I struggle the most is with confidence while dating, and that is something I am currently working on to rewire. If I sit around and say that no man will love me because of my size, I think that is the reality I will create. Instead, I say: “I know I will find an amazing life partner who will love me and my body.” Movement is also a major thing for me. Not only is a great for mental clarity, but also feeling strong in your body. Weightlifting and Pilates are my favorite ways to give back to my body. Finally, having a strong community of women who are aligned with loving themselves and lifting each other up is life changing. I believe that as women we truly are stronger together.
Dress by Ramy Brook @ramybrook Dress by Nicholas K @nicholaskstudio Necklace by Alexis Bittar @alexisbittar
Fashion Trends: As a fashion-forward individual, what trends are you currently loving, and how do you adapt them to celebrate all body types?
The trend I can’t seem to get enough of this season is the color red. I feel like it is such a sexy and powerful color. You can wear it as a leather jacket or add a pop of color to your outfit with a bag, belt, or red boots. I also love the off-the-shoulder sweater trend. There is just something that feels so chic about a chunky off-the-shoulder knit. No matter what size you are, have fun playing around with trends because you might be surprised by what you feel good in. I think once women stop trying to dress to look thin, they are really able to find their personal style and have fun with fashion.
Dress by Ramy Brook @ramybrook Dress by Nicholas K @nicholaskstudio Necklace by Alexis Bittar @alexisbittar
Long-term Goals: Where do you see your platform and brand in the next five years?
I would love to see our podcast, The Confident Collective, continue to grow and go on tour doing live shows and hosting more events to build community among women. It is a dream of mine to be a Sports Illustrated Rookie, dream big right?! I would also love to launch my own brand. Who knows! I am a girl with a lot of dreams, and you just got to go after what you are passionate about and see where it leads you!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raeannlangas/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raeannlangas
The Confident Collective: https://www.theconfidentcollective.com/
