‘Everyone holds the power to change themselves into the person they want to be’.
Born Viktoria Moskalova Modesta in Daugavpils (Latvia, 25th February 1986), she is a British model, singer/songwriter, and club host. Viktoria had an accident at birth due to doctor’s negligence, resulting in her leg having damaged nerves and restricted growth. Her early interest in music lead her to studying piano, sheet music and vocals at the age of 6 at a music school in Daugavpils. From the ages 6 to 12 she faced a whole series of reconstructive surgeries, that caused further difficulties finishing with 13 opeations in 6 years. She moved to London with her parents in 1999 and a couple of years later decided she had to take back control of her body, future and health. She began modelling and, after exhaustive medical consultation, she came to the conclussion that partial amputation was the only option for her.
Viktoria went back to her musical activity in 2002 and took a one-year course for vocal technology at London Music School. In 2009, she launched a musical writing collaborative project with musician/producer Nik Hodges. Mixing her fashion work with music performing, she was selected as one of the six best unsigned artists in the UK in 2010. She played the role of the ice queen in the closing ceremony of the London Paralympic Games 2012.
We have chosen Viktoria as our first Ambassador of Singularity because we do admire her determination and courage. Revealing an iron will to overcome limitations and prejudices, she challenges the modern perception of altered beauty as alt model, reinventing herself day-to-day.
‘Initially, after my voluntary operation, I mostly wanted to get a leg that provided balance to my body in its shape. Three years after the ampution, I then saw it as an opportunity to regard the leg as a fashion item and an art project which seemed rather fun and exciting. My natural curiosity and strong belief that it’s important to take control of your own body and most importantly improve it or reflect your personality through altered body image, meant that facing a life of physical deformity and acceptance of the cards that wear dealt to me wasn’t an option I wanted to take. I was very sure that by losing my natural damaged limb I would gain better health and most importantly control over it all. Being a self confessed fashionista things that I’m into tend to change all the time and like most key pieces in my wardrobe I would only wear it a number of times.
The first time I wore a limb that was so obviously BIONIC, it gave me a total sense of uniqueness and feeling of mutant human in the best way possible. It was really fascinating watching people’s reactions because most of them were speechless. Some had never stood next to a person with a prosthetic limb and the ideas they might have of what an amputee might look or act like is, in most cases, negative. So when they do clock my appearance and I’m walking with it in my full composure it has a power that is beyond something that can be described. I think I have dealt with people’s responses pretty well as they have been incredibly positive even if they were initially shocked. It’s a special piece that needs to be exposed only in special circumstances to be fully appreciated, meaning on stage, on film or as part of an art installation’.
Viktoria Modesta, testimonial about the Stereo Leg for The Alternative Limb Project
Official website: www.viktoriamodesta.com
‘Ambassadors of Singularity by Decimononic’ is a series of blog posts dedicated to individuals who have made the most of their singularity, embracing it to unveil their true and unique potential. As Mr. George Bernard Shaw said, ‘Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself’. Count on us in your path of self-empowerment: be Singular.
Did you like this blog post? Stay on top of future updates by subscribing to our newsletters and rss feed.
JF Alfaya
Latest posts by JF Alfaya (see all)
- ‘Desolation and radiation’ by DELREI - 28/06/2023
- Welcome, Never Was Lounge! - 24/05/2020
- ‘Diesel City’ by Stefan Prohaczka - 19/04/2020
Leave a Reply