Yura shared a playlist that got us all dancing during the November cover shoot

Some people are simply born entertainers. I don’t just mean the jokesters and witty types who are always the loudest at the table, but those whose energy is so infectious that it effortlessly fills the entire room. They don’t need to shout, “Come on, dance!” or even take you by the hand and lead you to the center of the dance floor. Chances are, when you’re around them, you’re already on your feet, moving more freely than ever. Yura, model and the star of Vogue Adria’s November cover, is exactly that kind of person. On the day of the cover shoot — where he worked with the phenomenal photographer Elizaveta Porodina — Yura brought such an incredible energy that our team can still feel it to this day.

Yura began his artistic journey at the age of six, expressing his creativity in many different ways from an early age — painting, sculpting, fashion design, and dance. That childlike sense of joy and imagination has clearly carried into his adult life. Today, he’s one of the most distinctive faces in the fashion world — his big break came when he debuted as an exclusive model at Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2023 show in Paris — and he still dances. The moment you meet him, it’s obvious that music and movement are essential parts of his identity. Not only did his graceful motion make every photograph magical, but he also passed his love for dance on to the entire team during the shoot by playing his own carefully curated playlist. From the melancholic sounds of Radiohead and Pink Floyd to the irresistibly danceable beats of artists like Inna and Rihanna, his playlist is a fusion of different genres because, as he puts it, “there’s no formula for a song that makes you want to dance — it all depends on your mood in that moment.”

Inspired by his movement and rhythm, we asked him a few questions about the timeless allure of melody.

Photo: Elizaveta Porodina

How does your body translate a melody into motion?

I never really analyze it… I just listen and let my body react to the beat accordingly. Most of the time, I don’t even realize what I’m doing in the moment, or how I move or look, until it’s over. Music takes over me, and I surrender to the feelings.

What is your favorite song at the moment; and if it were a shape, what shape would it be?

Right now, it’s Missing by Everything But The Girl, remixed by Todd Terry. It feels nostalgic—lost in the past and found for the very first time again. If it were a shape, it would be an ocean wave—always changing, moving, and never stopping, just like me.

Do you find stillness to also be a form of dance?

It could be. Stillness of the body sometimes requires more effort than any dynamic motion. Also, if you are still and not moving, you can feel your natural rhythm inside—like your pulse or heartbeat—and then you have to control it. Sometimes being still is even harder than any dynamic movement.

Does light influence your movement?

Definitely. When the light is cold and bright, it can feel so invasive that I find myself moving more sharply through it. And when it’s softer, warmer, or darker, I just go completely crazy—I lose myself entirely. My brain turns off, and I don’t see or think of anything, only the primal energy and force of the rhythm and melody vibrations in my body.

What song is your “guilty pleasure”?

I don’t really feel guilty about pleasure or listening to music… If I like it, I enjoy it. That’s what music is for—what’s the whole guilt thing about?! But if I still have to choose, I’d probably pick something from Hot European Summer by Miss Bashful. It doesn’t make me feel guilty… just hot and European.

Below, we’re sharing Yura’s playlist — the one we’ve been playing on repeat.