DKNY’s Real-Life Model Couple: Love, Scents, and City Lights
Discover the love story, modeling chemistry, and beauty routines behind DKNY’s hottest real-life couple in New York’s iconic streets.

DKNY’s New Real-Life Model Couple: Anja Rubik and Sasha Knezevic
When it comes to channeling real chemistry and romance, nothing beats a couple in love. In DKNY’s latest fragrance campaign, the brand has once again chosen to go beyond traditional modeling by spotlighting a real-life couple—Anja Rubik, the Polish fashion icon, and Sasha Knezevic, the charismatic Serbian model. Their electrifying partnership not only brings authenticity to DKNY’s imagery, but also infuses the brand’s refreshed scents with undeniable passion and energy.
The Power of Love in Advertising
DKNY first embraced the idea of real-world romance driving beauty campaigns back in 1999. That year, newlyweds Esther Cañadas and Mark Vanderloo personified the original signature fragrances for both women and men.Fast forward to April 2011, and DKNY revitalizes this concept, updating the classic look and introducing a new enlivening scent to the collection. Stepping into the spotlight are Anja Rubik and Sasha Knezevic, following the same path of romance, modeling excellence, and city-centric vibrance.
- 1999: Esther Cañadas & Mark Vanderloo star as the original DKNY fragrance couple.
- 2011: Anja Rubik & Sasha Knezevic embody DKNY’s renewed celebration of authentic love.
- New Scent: DKNY Women Energizing Eau de Toilette—lighter, citrus-infused, and designed for bright city days.
How Love Blossomed: The Couple’s Backstory
In an exclusive Cosmopolitan interview, Anja and Sasha share the serendipitous journey that brought them together—one filled with chance meetings, delayed romance, and the eventual triumph of chemistry. Their story isn’t just the stuff of campaigns; it’s a modern love narrative echoing the unpredictability and excitement of cosmopolitan life.
The First Encounter
Anja Rubik: “It was on a modeling job in New Orleans about two and a half years ago. We definitely liked each other, but nothing happened. Then a few months later, we randomly bumped into each other on an NYC street and decided to grab a coffee. Our first official date was a week later in Central Park.”
- City of First Meeting: New Orleans on a fashion shoot.
- First NYC Encounter: A random street meeting leading to coffee and a Central Park rendezvous.
Event | Location | Timeline |
---|---|---|
First Meeting | New Orleans (Fashion shoot) | 2.5 years ago |
Chance Encounter | NYC Street | A few months later |
First Date | Central Park, NYC | One week after NYC meet |
Romance and Scents: Behind the DKNY Campaign
DKNY’s campaign didn’t just rely on love—it brought Anja and Sasha’s mutual affection into the brand’s universe. The shoot itself was a logistical feat, closing down Sixth Avenue and taking over the pulsing heart of New York City. Modeling in the very streets where their real romance ignited, they transformed the campaign into a love letter to the city and to each other.
Authentic Experiences: Filming in NYC
Anja: “We were shooting on the streets of New York City, which is where we fell in love. Plus the city shut down Sixth Avenue for us—I mean, we were a block from Times Square, running through the streets, jumping in and out of cabs, even standing on top of cabs, kissing!”
- Filming took place in Times Square, with iconic scenes inside and atop NYC cabs.
- The couple’s real affection brought vibrancy to every shot.
- The campaign’s energy matched New York’s fast pace and dynamic spirit.
Scent Secrets: Favorite Fragrance Spots
Sasha Knezevic: “For me, it’s definitely the back of the neck. I love to kiss her there.”
- Men often prefer subtle, warm spots like the nape of the neck to inhale a partner’s scent.
- Fragrance application tip: Spritz perfume on pulse points—wrists, neck, and behind ears—to amplify allure.
Life Behind the Scenes: Bonding Rituals and Relationship Secrets
Constant travel and busy modeling schedules could challenge any couple, but Anja and Sasha have found small rituals to keep their bond strong and their relationship spontaneous. Their secrets aren’t just steamy—they’re authentic, playful, and deeply personal.
Maintaining Connection: Everyday Rituals
- Late Night Corn Flakes: After dinners and movies, the couple winds down with a cereal snack for dessert—a quirky tradition that’s all their own.
- Cherishing Time Together: With hectic schedules, sharing simple routines becomes a source of intimacy.
Anja: “We have this funny habit of eating Corn Flakes late at night! We’ll go to dinner or catch a movie, then come home and eat cereal for dessert.”
Distance as a Relationship Tool
- Healthy Absence: Missing each other for two or three days keeps their connection fresh and excitement high.
- Limiting Separation: Anything longer leads to feeling disconnected.
- Physical Intimacy: Both cite closeness—and sex—as vital for reconnecting and maintaining their emotional bond.
Sasha: “Sex is really good for reconnecting!”
Anja: “Definitely. The closer you can get—fast—the closer you feel.”
DKNY Fragrance: The 2011 Edition
DKNY’s new fragrance launch, Women Energizing Eau de Toilette, brings a lighter, citrus-infused twist to the original iconic scent. Designed for energetic city dwellers, it’s perfect for capturing the feeling of fresh, spontaneous romance amid New York’s bustling streets.
- Women Energizing Eau de Toilette: Noted for its bright citrus layers and uplifting notes.
- Packaging: Refreshed to match the campaign’s modern, lively aesthetic.
- Vibe: A scent for those who thrive in the city’s rhythm, embodying both sophistication and spontaneity.
Fragrance | Edition | Notes |
---|---|---|
DKNY Women | Original | Floral and fruity |
DKNY Women Energizing Eau de Toilette | 2011 | Lighter, citrus-infused |
Making Beauty Accessible: Insights from Cosmopolitan’s Beauty Director
The interview pivots to the perspectives of Leah Wyar, chief beauty director at Cosmopolitan, who has spent nearly a decade uncovering beauty’s best tips—from high-end luxury to practical day-to-day advice. Leah emphasizes making beauty less intimidating and more accessible for everyone, brimming with cost-saving tricks and sanity-preserving hacks.
- Beauty advice should simplify, not complicate, everyday routines.
- Seeks to deliver top tips for both busy professionals and beauty enthusiasts.
- Leah brings decades of experience and remains committed to keeping beauty fresh and relatable.
Pro Tip: Multiple sources and specialists agree: the art of beauty is finding rituals that work for your life—from signature scents to quirky relationship routines, personalization fuels confidence and allure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How did Anja Rubik and Sasha Knezevic meet?
A: They initially met during a modeling job in New Orleans, but only started dating after a chance encounter on the streets of New York, eventually leading to their first official date in Central Park.
Q: What unique traditions keep their relationship fresh?
A: The couple bonds through a late-night Corn Flakes ritual, sharing simple joys at the end of busy days, and believes healthy periods of absence—even just two or three days apart—can make reunions sweeter.
Q: What is Sasha’s favorite place for Anja to wear fragrance?
A: Sasha loves when Anja applies perfume to the back of her neck—a spot he enjoys kissing and finds particularly alluring.
Q: How was shooting the DKNY campaign different from their past modeling projects?
A: The DKNY campaign was filmed on the energetic streets of New York City, directly tying the setting to their love story, with the city itself playing a major role in capturing their chemistry.
Q: What scent represents DKNY in 2011?
A: DKNY Women Energizing Eau de Toilette, featuring lighter, citrus notes, was launched to reflect the campaign’s lively, modern feel.
Iconic Imagery and City Romance
Campaign aesthetics spotlight both the timeless allure of couples in love and the modern dynamism of New York City streets. Comparing visuals from the original 1999 campaign with the edgy, vibrant 2011 rendition reveals how DKNY consistently elevates authenticity and connection—making the brand synonymous with metropolitan style and passionate relationships.
- 1999 campaign: Classic, intimate imagery starring newlyweds.
- 2011 campaign: Bold city scenes, spontaneous affection, and energetic movement.
- Real relationships infuse advertisements with story, heart, and relatability.
Final Takeaways: Romance, Style, and Urban Energy
Anja Rubik and Sasha Knezevic exemplify the DKNY spirit: embracing love in the city, blending high fashion with authentic experiences, and celebrating rituals that keep relationships vibrant. Through their campaign, DKNY reinvigorates perfume marketing, building connections and memories around real-life chemistry. For couples, city dwellers, and beauty lovers alike, their story is proof that romance and style flourish together in even the busiest streets—and that personal traditions, no matter how quirky, anchor happiness and intimacy.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a9231/dkny-anja-rubik-interview-042211/
- https://art8amby.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/dkny-be-delicious-fragrance-spring-summer-2011-ad-campaign/
- http://www.mshelene.com/2020/09/daily-delight-chloe-x-halle-for.html?m=0
- http://istanbulfashionaddict.blogspot.com/2015/04/
- http://www.mshelene.com/2020/05/beauty-review-and-interview-la-prairie.html?m=0
Read full bio of Sneha Tete