Sutana Anisimova wears her story in style

Talent: Sutana Anisimova. Photographer: Reinhardt Kenneth. Gown, Ivan Young. Earrings, Lunaversoul Jewelry.

The wind dances gently through the feathers of her mint-green gown, but all eyes are on Sutana Anisimova. Standing beneath a clear blue sky, she looks like a modern goddess – elegant, radiant, and completely in command. One moment, she’s wrapped in layers of dreamy tulle that float like petals; the next, she’s striking a powerful pose in a shimmering corset that catches the sunlight like stars. Whether in sequins, ruffles, or bold prints, Sutana brings drama and grace to every frame. Today, we meet her on set, not just as a model, but as a woman with presence, poise, and something meaningful to say. Let’s step into her world.

Gown, Ivan Young. Earrings, Lunaversoul Jewelry.

Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam (HBZVN): Your story is rooted in personal resilience and transformation. Can you share a bit about your upbringing or early experiences that shaped the woman you are today?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: I became a mother at 21, newly homeless and alone. I walked into a women’s shelter with nothing but a pregnant belly and a desperate hope that life could be different. That season shaped everything. It taught me how strong I am, how resourceful I can be, and how important it is to help women reclaim their dignity when the world tells them they have none. I didn’t grow up with a fairytale life, but I grew into a woman who could create one from the ashes.

Gown, Charles and Ron. Earrings, Naimah. Necklace, Lunaversoul Jewelry.

HBZVN: You’ve turned personal adversity into a force for change through the Luminary Legacy Foundation. What moment first inspired you to step into advocacy?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: When I received a bag of clothing from Dress for Success before a job interview, it wasn’t just about clothes. It was about dignity. I felt seen and believed in. Years later, I returned to volunteer there, helping other women prepare for their next chapter. That full-circle moment showed me the power of peer support, and it planted the seed for Luminary Legacy Foundation.

Gown, Anna Gupta. Earrings, Veronica Tharmalingam. Chocker, Noa Jewelry. Necklaces, Naimah.

HBZVN: You speak passionately about breaking cycles of trauma. In your experience, what’s the most powerful way to begin that healing process – for women, for children, and for communities?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: Start with safety, and then create space. Healing begins when a woman feels safe enough to be vulnerable and supported enough to believe she’s worthy of something more. That applies to children and communities too. It’s about interrupting generational patterns with love, access, and representation. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in relationship.

Gown, Anna Gupta. Earrings, Veronica Tharmalingam. Chocker, Noa Jewelry. Necklaces, Naimah.

HBZVN: Looking ahead beyond Mrs. International, what’s your long-term vision? What legacy do you hope to leave behind, both as a woman and a leader?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: I want to leave a legacy of visibility and access: for women rebuilding after crisis, for young girls who’ve never seen themselves represented, for communities still waiting to be heard. I hope my journey reminds others that leadership doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from purpose. Long after the crown, I’ll still be doing the work.

Gown, Oksana Mukha. Corset, Alpana Neeraj. Earrings, Burkinabaé. Gloves, Diana Couture. Heels, Chinese Laundry.

HBZVN: How would you describe your own image, both on and off the stage? Is there a feature or aspect of your appearance that you feel most confident about?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: On stage, I’m glam, poised, and polished. Off stage, I’m still glam. Just maybe barefoot with a toddler on my tail burning sage with a crystal in hand. I feel most confident in my eyes – they’ve seen pain, joy, and rebirth. They hold so much of my story, and I lead with them before I even speak.

Gown, Oksana Mukha. Corset, Alpana Neeraj. Earrings, Burkinabaé. Gloves, Diana Couture. Heels, Chinese Laundry.

HBZVN: Is there a quote or saying from someone you admire that has stayed with you? Something that inspires or guides you in life?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: “Your past does not define your future.”

A visiting nurse said that to me when I was at my lowest. It changed everything. It became my life mantra, reminding me that no matter where we begin, we get to choose how we rise.

Gown, Ladivine by Cinderella Divine. Blazer, Nazranaa. Earrings, Roshan. Heels, Chinese Laundry.

HBZVN: What’s one beauty pageant moment, on or off stage, that you’ll never forget, whether it made you laugh or made you proud?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: Placing Top 10 at Mrs. Universe out of 110 delegates, on my birthday, was surreal. I stood on that stage in South Korea as Mrs. Caribbean Sea, knowing that the woman I used to be could never have imagined this moment. It wasn’t just about the placement. It was about becoming the kind of woman who could take up that kind of space.

Gown & blazer, Onalaja. Headpiece, Object & Dawn.

HBZVN: How would you describe your personal style in three words? Is there a fashion item you can’t live without?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: Glamorous, bold, intentional.

I can’t live without a great pair of heels. They shift something in me the moment I put them on.

Corset & skirt, Diana Couture.

HBZVN: If your personality were a dress, what would it look like?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: It would be a floor-length gown with unexpected details, elegant with edge. Maybe feathers, maybe sheer, maybe a pop of drama. Something that says “I’ve arrived,” without ever needing to say a word.

Gown & gloves, Do Long. Silk scarf, Silk & Soul. Heels, Ingiliz.

HBZVN: If you could give one confidence tip to women standing in front of the mirror before a big moment, what would it be?

SUTANA ANISIMOVA: Remember everything you’ve already overcome. You are the moment. Walk in like you belong, because you do.

Gown & gloves, Do Long. Silk scarf, Silk & Soul. Heels, Ingiliz.

Muse: Sutana Anisimova @creme_de.la_femme.
Photography: Reinhardt Kenneth @reinhardtkenneth.
Fashion Stylist: Michelle Wu @michellewustyle.
Makeup Artist: Jackie Huerta @jaquelynsmakeup.
Hairstylist: Gina Everett @ginaeverett.
Lighting Director: Hugo Arvizu @arvizu_arts.
Digitech: Suimay Lee @suimaylee.
Videography: Ralphy Valley @ralphyvalley

Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam