We got to catch up with our stunning November Cover Star Ksenia Lavrentieva, Co-Founder & Creative Director of KALMTHREAD, the new glove brand redefining wearable skincare – turning everyday essentials into therapeutic, elegant pieces crafted from intelligent, skin-friendly fabrics. Designed for Skin, Made for Style. We’re excited to share Ksenia’s and KALMTHREAD’s story in this exclusive interview.
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU BEYOND YOUR JOB TITLE?
Beyond strategy decks and business plans, I’m deeply spiritual, endlessly curious about the human mind and how we can rewire ourselves to reach our highest potential. I’ve always been drawn to psychology and helping people heal; I might have become a therapist in another life. I’m fascinated by neural pathways, emotional patterning, and how our thoughts shape our lives. I’m that agony aunt friend everyone comes to for perspective. I work hard to understand myself just as much as I do others, always trying to peel back another layer of conditioning and become a better version of myself.
YOU HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL PRESENTING CAREER IN THE SPOTLIGHT. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It was less “successful” and more “transformative.” I grew up in the shadow of my mother, a well-known actress in Russia and for a long time, I thought performing was my destiny. I gave everything to that world, but the industry wasn’t as open then as it is now. Being Eastern European came with stereotypes that often limited what was possible. I was even asked to change my name more times than I can count. But that chapter taught me resilience, self-belief, and how to connect with people. Expression and creativity are in my DNA, and though I didn’t find lasting stability in the media world, I found my voice, which was the real success.
YOU’VE MOVED FROM MEDIA TO WELLNESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP. WHAT CONNECTS IT ALL FOR YOU?
Looking back, every chapter has been a rehearsal for the one I’m in now. My media background taught me how to communicate authentically, tell stories that hold attention, and merge creativity with performance. Those same skills now shape my work as a founder; they help me build a brand that feels human, emotional, and alive. Entrepreneurship, like acting, demands imagination, courage, and emotional stamina. The only difference is that I’m now directing my story rather than performing in someone else’s. Everything has finally converged, reactivity, business, storytelling, into one clear purpose.
WHAT’S ONE DECISION THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF YOUR CAREER?
During the pandemic, I decided to step away from the media world entirely. It was a difficult letting go, but also a liberation. For the first time, I stopped waiting for someone else’s approval or opportunity and began building something of my own. Entrepreneurship became my new stage, where I could create impact on my own terms. I discovered a new kind of empowerment in business: my ideas, not my appearance, became the currency. That decision to bet on myself rather than chase another audition changed everything.
WHAT’S ONE LESSON THAT TOOK YOU YEARS TO LEARN, BUT CHANGED EVERYTHING ONCE YOU DID?
Focus. For years, I tried to open every door, chasing possibilities instead of purpose. But true growth came when I learned to become selective, to narrow my vision, and to pour my energy into one clear direction. When you stop scattering your light, you start to shine brighter. I also learned the delicate balance between persistence and letting go, knowing when something is worth fighting for and when it’s simply not your path. Once I understood that clarity is power, everything began to align naturally.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE KALMTHREAD?
The inspiration came from a deep frustration, seeing people with sensitive and dermatologically challenged skin forced to wear products that looked purely medical and unattractive. There was nothing beautiful, nothing that made you feel good while caring for your skin. I wanted to change that. KALMTHREAD was born from the desire to merge style with comfort, to create something discreet, tactile, and elegant that people would genuinely want to wear. Our gloves aren’t just moisturising accessories; they’re sensory style pieces – soft, breathable, and so beautifully made that you could pair them with any outfit. They turn hand care into a ritual, something indulgent rather than clinical.
IN THREE WORDS, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE BRAND?
Pioneering. Eco-Luxe. Elegant.
HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL WHEN THEY WEAR KALMTHREAD?
I want them to feel comforted, cocooned in softness, wrapped in calm. Our gloves elicit the same reaction whenever someone touches them: “Oh, wow.” That instant sensory pleasure is everything. For those with sensitive skin, comfort isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
These gloves are about more than function; they’re about mood. I designed them to soothe the senses, lift the spirit, and help people feel good about their skin again. It’s that moment where practicality meets a tender touch, feeling cared for and confident all at once.
WHAT DOES KALMTHREAD MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY?
It means elegance in comfort and purpose in design. I believe a truly great brand should improve people’s lives in some way. Knowing that something I’ve created brings relief, beauty, or confidence to someone’s day is everything to me. KALMTHREAD is about small, meaningful luxury. You give yourself A moment of care, wrapped in beauty and intent.
WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING PART ABOUT BUILDING A LUXURY BRAND?
Finding the right people. You can’t build anything significant alone, but in the beginning, when you’re bootstrapping, you wear every hat, from product, business and brand development to packaging and PR. It’s overwhelming. The hardest part is finding manufacturers and partners who get it — who understand that this isn’t just another product but a statement of quality, refinement, and emotion. Your team makes or breaks your brand. When you find people who align with your vision, that’s when the magic happens.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR KALMTHREAD?
We’re expanding into what I call functional wellness couture. We’re redefining wearable skincare, turning everyday essentials like gloves and socks into therapeutic, elegant pieces crafted from intelligent, skin-friendly fabrics infused with natural minerals like zinc and copper.
The vision is a full unisex range of wearable body-care essentials — pieces that protect, soothe, and restore the skin while feeling beautiful. It’s where wellness meets style, and style becomes self-care.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE CREATIVITY AND BUSINESS?
It’s a constant dance. The creative part comes naturally; it’s where I feel most alive, but the business side was a steep learning curve. Forecasts, finances, logistics… all the unglamorous parts that are just as vital. There are days when creativity and commerce collide, and balance feels impossible. You just learn to prioritise and outsource where you can. For me, discipline has become its own form of creativity. It’s not about balance; really, it’s about flow.
WHAT’S YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLE WELLNESS RITUAL?
My night-time ritual. I always cleanse my face thoroughly, apply my night creams, and slip on my KALMTHREAD gloves when my hands need that extra care.
HOW DO YOU STAY GROUNDED WHEN LIFE GETS CHAOTIC?
Honestly, I don’t always. I try, but meditation isn’t my strong suit. What grounds me most is stepping away, taking a walk, having a cocktail with a friend, and having a deep heart-to-heart that reminds me there’s more to life than business. And my partner, he’s my calm in the storm, bringing me back to softness when I’ve been in warrior mode too long. He’s my reset button. Where can I take off my armour and return to my femininity.
WHAT DOES SELF-CARE LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ON A BUSY DAY?
Movement. I need to move to clear my mind. I do hybrid CrossFit-style workouts and even have a treadmill under my desk to walk while I work. It keeps my body active and my mind sane.
I’ll listen to audiobooks or podcasts about neuroplasticity and self-growth throughout the day. They remind me that we’re constantly evolving and that balance isn’t found; it’s created.
WHAT’S ONE SMALL THING YOU DO DAILY THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE?
My morning coffee ritual. Those quiet ten minutes before the day starts — just me, my coffee, and my thoughts.
YOU’VE WORKED WITH INCREDIBLE PEOPLE LIKE TOUKER SULEYMAN FROM BBC SHOW ‘DRAGON’S DEN’. WHAT DID HE TEACH YOU?
Working with Touker was a defining moment. His drive, even in his seventies, is extraordinary. Seeing his resilience and hands-on approach to every aspect of business taught me that energy and persistence are everything. It also showed me that I wanted to build something into which I could pour my whole heart. That experience shifted me from being a creative within someone else’s vision to becoming the creator of my own.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A WOMAN STARTING HER OWN BRAND?
Have capital. It sounds blunt, but it’s true. You need enough runway to test, fail, pivot, and build without running on fumes. Bring on someone experienced who’s been through the process; it’ll save you time, money, and sanity. Most importantly, treat it like a full-time commitment, not a side hustle. Your business needs your full energy and focus. Start small, prove your concept, and let traction be your loudest pitch.
HOW DO YOU LEAD WITH BOTH STRENGTH AND SOFTNESS?
It’s a work in progress. I’ve always been empathetic, but experience taught me to grow a thicker skin. I can be demanding, I see every detail, but it comes from wanting excellence, not control.
I’ve learned that good leadership isn’t about making people comfortable; it’s about helping them grow. Kindness with clarity, softness with standards, that’s my balance.
WHAT DOES FEMALE EMPOWERMENT MEAN TO YOU?
To me, empowerment looks like peace — a woman who radiates calm, is content within herself, and has built a life that feels aligned. It’s not just about business success — it’s about thriving in love, health and purpose. When you can influence others positively, stand on your own two feet, and remain soft and centred — that’s real power.
WHO INSPIRES YOU RIGHT NOW?
Jessica Alba. I recently listened to her story on Emma Grede’s podcast, which resonated deeply. Her journey from the acting world into entrepreneurship mirrors what I’ve felt, stepping out of a space where you’re often judged for being “just an actress” and building something meaningful in a male-dominated business landscape. What she created with The Honest Company was more than a brand; it was a statement of courage and integrity. I admire how she did it all, leading with authenticity and purpose. Hearing her story reminded me that you’ll always face steep hurdles to reach your greatest potential, but you push through them, stay focused and don’t take no for an answer. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN THREE WORDS?
Timeless. Elegant. Creative.
IF KALMTHREAD HAD A SCENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Jasmine with a whisper of light oud, soft, sensual, and grounding.
WHAT’S CURRENTLY INSPIRING YOUR MOOD BOARD?
Chocolate, caramel, creams and coffee tones — warm, earthy, cocoa and creamy palettes that feel grounded and luxurious. And always the view from a rooftop bar at sunset, cocktail in hand, watching the city come alive beneath you.
YOUR DREAM COLLABORATION?
Grace Beverley. I admire how she’s built TALA sustainably, intelligently, and purposefully. I’d love to collaborate with her on therapeutic, minimalist wellness basics.
IN COLOURED BOXOUT
QUICK FIRE Q&A WITH KSENIA
Morning or night? Morning.
Creative inspiration? London. Always.
Last thing you Googled? “Luxury beauty distributors.”
Wellness trend you love? Polynucleotide injectables.
Wellness trend you can’t stand? Mouth taping! I just can’t.
What’s on your desk? A photo of me and my partner.
Favourite piece you’ve designed? The opera-length gloves — minimalist, elegant, and utterly divine.
Power outfit? My white suit makes me feel unstoppable.
Mantra? “All will make sense later…sometimes much later.”
Instant calm? Classical music and again my partner! ha
One thing you wish people understood about you? I always mean well, even when I’m intense or sometimes contradictory. I’ve always led from the heart, sometimes too honestly, perhaps, but I’ve never quite mastered the art of holding my tongue.
What would it be if you could send one message to your younger self?
Don’t make decisions based on fear or scarcity. What’s meant for you is already on its way; it will arrive when you’re ready. Trust the timing. You are safe!
ENDS ////////////////////
WHAT LEGACY DO YOU WANT TO BUILD, PERSONALLY AND THROUGH YOUR BRAND?
My legacy, above all, is love. I want to leave behind a sense that I made people feel cared for, whether through words, gestures, or products. Personally, my greatest legacy will be my family, the people I love, and the energy I’ve shared with them. Through KALMTHREAD, I want to leave behind something that brings people daily comfort and quiet joy, a reminder that care and beauty co-existing. Love has always been my message. If I can weave that into something tangible, through my work, my words, or the lives I touch along the way, then I’ve done what I came here to do.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE STANDING ON THE EDGE OF A LIFE PIVOT, READY TO STEP AWAY FROM WHAT’S FAMILIAR TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN?
Don’t just follow your passion, follow your talent. Passion burns hot and fast; it flares and fades. Talent is steadier; it learns to endure. It’s where you can do something exceptionally well, even when you don’t feel like doing anything. That’s where your true power sits.
Be ruthlessly honest about what you bring to the table that others can’t. The world doesn’t need more of the same; it needs something that serves. The true magic begins when your work genuinely helps people and meets a need rather than just feeding your ego. But know this: Building something of your own will strip you down and test you in every way. You will wear every hat and juggle every role; at times, it will feel impossibly heavy. You’ll need capital to delegate, or you’ll burn out trying. Build a small, trusted circle. Protect your energy and cash; they will vanish faster than you think. You’ll discover how fast money disappears when every decision has a price tag. But you’ll also grow a resilience you didn’t know you had.
Above all, don’t romanticise it. Reinvention isn’t glamorous. It’s not a montage of coffee cups and mood boards. It’s gritty, humbling, methodical, often lonely, and deeply human work. But if you stay true to what you do best, keep your integrity intact, and hold your vision steady, one day, you’ll look up and realise you didn’t just start a brand or a business…..YOU BECAME IT.
