Miss USSR Maria Kezha was in great shape. But her career was cut short by a car accident

Beauty contests for girls are a great chance to pave a career in modeling. Of course, before the contestants are allowed to take to the catwalk, they must prepare thoroughly for the performance and meet all the requirements: from height and weight to marital status. In return, the contestants receive attention from potential employers, and the sole winner receives a commemorative title and a lucrative contract. But not all the crowned girls had a smooth fate.

Belarusian Maria Kezha won the title of Miss USSR in 1990, after which her modeling career quickly began to gain momentum: filming, numerous trips abroad and charity events. But a terrible car accident started a new chapter in her life. Masha became a designer of women’s bags and accessories, first for Lancel, Haute couture and Christian Lacroix, and then for her own brand.

Winning a beauty contest, moving to Germany and her first big offer

Maria started modeling in the late 80’s: she worked part-time at the Vitebsk experimental clothing laboratory and took part in shows of new collections. After winning the contest “Panna Bela Rus” (Miss Belarus) she went to the All-Union competition, where at the age of 17 she was recognized as the first beauty of the USSR. By the way, then she bypassed 19-year-old Yulia Lemigova. However, Kezha was always embarrassed by her skinny figure and tall stature, so she went to the beauty contest with great reluctance.

“The decision about my participation in the contest was made by my parents,” said Maria in an interview with Tut.by. – At that time I was a very shy girl, it was difficult for me to answer to the blackboard, to speak in public, although, I repeat, I had no problems with my studies. My dad and mom thought that participating in Miss USSR would add to my confidence and teach me how to present myself, which was extremely important for a girl.”

Maria Kezha at the Miss USSR pageant, 1990

Unfortunately, Kezha couldn’t go any further: only adults were allowed to compete for the title of Miss Universe. Nevertheless, the crown of the main beauty of the Union opened the door to her in the big modeling world – the interest in Masha was overwhelming. She was often invited to the United States, where she met the Trump family, participated in television shows and news programs.

According to the results of the trips Kezha was offered a five-year modeling contract in America, but Maria refused such a life path in the name of love. Instead of the States, she went to Germany, where she married journalist Ralph Janzen. The marriage did not last long, a year later the model returned to Moscow.

How was the preparation for beauty contests?

As the model assures, it was professional, serious and sporty. For three weeks, the first beauties lived in a recreation complex in Serebryany Bor, near Moscow, in a protected area. They were trained by sports coaches and choreographers: two hours of training and two hours of rehearsals for the stage every day. The training program also included dance classes.

A proposal from Paris and an accident that cut short her modeling career

Back in Moscow, Maria began to shoot, and soon enough she was noticed by the French, who recruited in the capital of the girls of model appearance. She received an invitation to work in Paris and this time did not refuse. But here she again waited for another life upheaval: the girl was in a car accident, the consequences of which made it impossible to continue her modeling career.

“Riding with friends on a mountainous sandy road and on a sharp turn the car was taken out – we flipped over, almost falling into the abyss – she recalled. – I don’t remember at all what happened – when they found us, I was unconscious, then they told me that part of my face was damaged <...>. It so happened that the guys knew the Moroccan prince, they called him and we were given first aid. I was very quickly brought to the French capital. But even there I was unconscious for another 3-4 days. When I came to my senses… The first thing I saw was my damaged face”.

A meeting at the gym and her own brand

After the accident, Maria started looking for a job where she could realize herself creatively. The girl’s acquaintances recommended her the accessories house Lancel, where she went for an internship. As a result, Kezha was offered the position of an ordinary designer, and after five years of work was promoted to chief designer.

After Lancel she worked for a number of French fashion houses, but all this time Maria was thinking about opening her own brand. When life brought her together with Olivier, her future husband, they began to think about it together.

Interestingly, the couple met at a sports club. Maria often visited it in his free time to relieve tension and relieve the shoulder girdle after hours of work at the table. Once during the classes, a young man approached Kezha with the phrase: “You are holding the dumbbell incorrectly…”. The girl did not pay attention to him – she was approached by many men, but she refused everyone. However, Olivier was very persistent and still achieved a date.

“It is he pushed me: “Do it, I will be near, help!”” – she shared in an interview with “KP”. – At the time of dating Olivier worked as a financial broker, but now he is also involved in the family business in parallel”.

The company of bags and accessories Masha Keja began its work in 2008, and eight years later in Paris opened its first boutique.

Now Maria still lives in Paris, works on collections for her brand and instills in her son a love of sports, having given him to the section. The woman looks amazing. She is a fan of a healthy and active lifestyle, and this is reflected in her slim and trim figure. Kezha even has abs, which is a nice achievement for a woman of 47. The designer believes that sport helps to prevent destructive emotions in both relationships and work.