Oksana Kononets (Ukrainian: Оксана Кононець; born 1 September 1992) is the first quadriplegic Ukrainian model, entrepreneur, and public figure. Kononets is best known for winning the Beauty No Limits contest in 2016, as well as receiving the title of "Miss Elegance".[1] She then won the title of "Miss Individuality" in the first world beauty contest for women in wheelchairs, Miss Wheelchair World 2017.[2][3] She is also the founder and director of the Charity Foundation 'Neskoreni' in Ukraine.[4] Following that, she was named one of Ukraine's top 100 woman by the Ukrainian People magazine. Most recently, she has been named as a laureate in the Ukrainian "Women of the Third Millennium" Award.
Oksana Kononets | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 1, 1992 Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Occupation | model |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Website | www |
Childhood
editOksana Kononets was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, to the family of a serviceman. She lived in Chortkiv, where her father's air regiment was located until 11 years old. Kononets was an active child who was fond of playing the violin and piano and was also highly proficient in gymnastics and aerobics. In 2003, Kononets returned to live in Kyiv, following the demobilization of her father. In Kyiv, Kononets was keen on sports, and took part in many competitions. In high school, she began to pursue her passion as a make-up artist. After high school, she attended university at the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University.
Trauma
editOn August 23, 2012, as a result of a fall from the 5th floor of an apartment building, Kononets suffered a severe injury to the C5 and C6 vertebrae of her cervical spine, which rendered her quadriplegic, reliant on a wheelchair.[5]
Post Accident Career
editIn 2013, after her injury, Kononets graduated from the National Pedagogical Dragomanova University with a teaching degree, and then from the Open International University of Human Development "Ukraine" with a degree in social work. In 2015, she took part in the television show "Halves" in which she then realized she was strong enough to build a modeling career, inspired by American model Angela Rockwood.
Winner, Beauty no Limits Contest
editKononets became the winner of the 6th Ukrainian beauty contest for women in wheelchairs, Beauty No Limits in which she also won the title of "Miss Elegance".
Miss Wheelchair World
editKononets won the title of "Miss Individuality" in the first world beauty contest for women in wheelchairs,[6] Miss Wheelchair World, held in Warsaw, Poland.
Unbroken Beauty
editFollowing her achievements, Kononets became the author and organizer of Unbroken Beauty,[7] a social photo project focused on positively portraying women in wheelchairs.[8]
"Neskoreni" Charity Fund
editKononets then founded the charity fund, "Neskoreni" with the purpose of integrating people with disabilities into the photography and fashion industry in Ukraine.[9]
Miss Ukraine Universe
editKononets was the first jury member in a wheelchair for "Miss Ukraine Universe".[10]
Ukraine's Top 100 Women
editKononets was included in Ukraine People Magazine's choices of the top 100 women in the country.[11]
Co-star in Music video of ONUKA
editKononets was filmed in the clips of the popular Ukrainian singer ONUKA, which was shot by a famous director Alan Badoyev and Ukrainian singer Lyubochka.[12]
2018
editUkraine Fashion Week
editIn 2018, Kononets became the first model in a wheelchair to be on the podium of Ukraine Fashion Week. She then participated in the fashion show of designer, Sofia Rusinovich.[13]
Massira Inclusive Fashion Show
editIn the same year she also represented Ukraine in the first Massira Inclusive Fashion Show in Sri Lanka, organized within the framework of the Paris Asian-European Fashion Week.[14]
Beauty no Limits
editShe has also become a co-organizer for several beauty contests in Ukraine, including the Beauty No Limits for women in wheelchairs, and the Courage No Limits contest for men in wheelchairs.[15]
O'SHE lingerie
editIn May she became the first woman with a disability to be featured as a model for the O'SHE lingerie and underwear line.[16]
Women of the Third Millennium
editMost recently she was named as a laureate of the Ukrainian "Women of the Third Millennium" award [17]
References
edit- ^ "Краса без обмежень: в Краматорске прошел Всеукраинский конкурс красоты. Фото". 28 September 2016.
- ^ "Miss Wheelchair World 2017 Results Proclamation". Miss Wheelchair World. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ Valentine, Claire (9 October 2017). "First Miss Wheelchair World Crowned". Paper. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "In the words of Oksana Kononets: "Disability helped me to realize my inner strength"". UN Women. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "LIFE DOES NOT STAND STILL: WHEELCHAIR MODEL".
- ^ Petter, Olivia (9 October 2017). "23-year-old student becomes first Miss Wheelchair World". Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "Нескорена краса: 12 девушек показали, что нет ничего невозможного в достижении своей мечты".
- ^ "Презентація всеукраїнського соціального фотопроекту Оксани Кононець "Нескорена краса"" [Presentation of the All-Ukrainian Social Photo Project by Oksana Kononets "Unbroken Beauty"] (in Ukrainian). 21 June 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "Unbroken Charity Fund". Neskoreny.com. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
Support, motivation and assistance in the rehabilitation of people with musculoskeletal, integrating them into the sphere of fashion and beauty industry of Ukraine.
- ^ "Кастинг конкурса красоты «Мисс Украина Вселенная»-2017". Absurdu. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Oksana Kononets". Ukrainian People (in Ukrainian). Ukraine: Ukrainian People. September 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Міша Кухарчук, пацанка Віолетта Шин та інші герої проектів Нового каналу знялися в одному кліпі" [Misha Kukharchuk, daughter Violetta Shin and other heroes of the New Channel projects performed in one clip.] (in Ukrainian). 23 November 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- ^ "ROUSSIN BY SOFIA ROUSINOVICH".
- ^ Ben, Salwa (19 September 2018). "Massira Inclusive Fashion Show". Yoocanfind. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Сегодня в Краматорске состоится финал конкурса «Краса без обмежень – 2018»" [Today in Kramatorsk will be held the final of the contest "Beauty without Limits - 2018"] (in Ukrainian). 16 November 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ Аня Набиева (21 May 2018). "Обнаженная душа: 5 успешных девушек в совместном проекте O'she lingerie и Fireinspire" [Nude Soul: 5 successful girls in a joint project O'she lingerie and Fireinspire]. Fire in Spire (in Ukrainian). Ukraine. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- ^ "У Дніпрі обрали найуспішніших жінок країни (Фото)" [In the Dnipro, the country's most successful women were selected (Photo)] (in Ukrainian). 12 December 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2019.