This Year’s Model

A member of the geniuses-only group Mensa International, Guergana Polezanova recently graduated from Sofia’s University of National and World Economics with a degree in European business administration. She speaks Italian and English as well as a smattering of French and Russian. She lives with her husband, who sells sports equipment, in a modest apartment on the outskirts of Sofia and eventually would like to work in human resources, perhaps even start her own business someday. But for now she’s treading the catwalks in Milan, Paris, New York and Tokyo modeling designs by the likes of Armani, Fendi, Gianfranco Ferré and Issey Miyake. “Modeling is just for a short time,” Polezanova says. “My education is for a lifetime. I see myself fitting very well into some kind of management or government position. I love to organize things.” Polezanova’s talent for organization will come in handy in a country still beset by political, economic and social turmoil. Though Bulgaria has begun negotiations to join the E.U., internal reforms are badly needed. “I love my country,” Polezanova says. “It’s a lovely country with great resources, but it’s not being governed correctly.” After her modeling career is over, Polezanova just might help change that.