Wish You Were Here: Maryna Marynchenko on Life in Cannes and the Allure of the French Riviera
Ukrainian model and fashion designer Maryna Marynchenko has lived the sort of life many people only daydream about: countries crossed, languages absorbed, fashion shoots in far-flung cities, and eventually a new home on one of the most glamorous stretches of coastline in Europe. Yet what emerges most clearly from her story is not simply glamour, but drive.
Born in Kyiv and educated in English and Spanish, Maryna says she was drawn from an early age to beauty, travel and the idea of building a life on her own terms. The dream, she explains, was never just to model, but to create a life filled with independence, discovery and style.
She began modelling in 2004 while still at university, encouraged by her mother, and what followed was a genuinely international career. Over the years, her work took her through cities and countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She speaks candidly about the upside of that world — freedom, opportunity and fascinating people — but also its harder side. Starting over again and again in new countries is not easy, and she is clear-eyed about the temptations of the industry. For her, success has always depended on discipline, self-awareness and knowing where you are headed.
That sense of motion has defined her life. Maryna has travelled widely, from Egypt and the United States to Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Switzerland and the Seychelles. But it was Cannes that truly stopped her in her tracks. She first came on a short work trip, fell in love with the city, and by 2016 had made it her home. What won her over was not only the beauty of the place, but its complete lifestyle package: sea, sun, palm trees, nightlife, events, restaurants and easy access to Monaco, Italy, Switzerland and the Alps. In her words, it is the sort of place where almost every wish feels within reach.
That insider’s affection for the Riviera runs through the full interview. Maryna shares favourite spots in Cannes, Monaco, Nice and Saint-Tropez, from stylish beach restaurants and elegant terraces to museums, markets and classic Riviera institutions. It is a reminder that the Côte d’Azur is not only photogenic, but deeply liveable when you know where to go.
Away from fashion, sport has remained central to her life. Swimming, fencing, basketball, Thai boxing, equestrian sport, gym work and yoga have all played a part in keeping her focused and physically strong. She also recently completed a half marathon and is studying to become a yoga coach — a fitting next step for someone whose energy seems to move constantly between ambition, beauty and self-development.
There is, though, a more serious thread in her story. Speaking about Ukraine, Maryna reflects with real emotion on the war, the pain of returning to Kyiv during a period of bombardment and blackouts, and the difficulty of explaining that experience to those living safely elsewhere. It adds gravity to what might otherwise be read as a purely glossy Riviera portrait. Behind the poise is resilience.
Today, Maryna is also developing her own clothing brand, Martinoli, focused on evening, cocktail and summer dresses. It feels like a natural continuation of a life shaped by fashion, movement and reinvention: not simply wearing beautiful things, but creating them.
Read the full feature in issue 1 of Riviera Ready Magazine , where Maryna shares more of her journey from Kyiv to Cannes, her favourite Riviera addresses, her fitness philosophy and the experiences that shaped her along the way.
Photo credits: Diana Shava, Sudmode