© Colonne / Reckless Magazine

Leonie, the founder of Reckless magazine, is the kind of woman who makes you rethink the blueprint for success. At just 22, she’s already charted her own course from her German roots to the creative heartbeat of Paris. But her path wasn’t paved with gilded Vogue pages—or at least, not entirely.

Leonie, the visionary behind Reckless

Growing up, she’d flip through Vogue, her young imagination ignited by the glossy images, all while her Russian parents nudged her toward "proper" careers like law or medicine. The conservative life wasn’t a fit for her, though. Leonie knew deep down that a 9-to-5 would never satisfy the restless spark within her. So, with a suitcase and a vision, she moved to London for a year, where she discovered the intoxicating thrill of the creative world—particularly photography.

But it wasn’t until she landed in Paris, the city of lights and layered Chanel, that she found her stride. Paris, she says, transformed her. Suddenly, she was surrounded by the kinds of people who lived and breathed art, fashion, and reinvention. She wanted to absorb it all—to learn, to experiment, to live a life that felt beautifully unstructured.

Yet, like any great heroine, Leonie faced her share of doubts. Immersing herself in Parisian fashion, she grappled with the weight of goddess-like energy around her, feeling the pressure of perfection while wrestling with her own image. Was she too young for this world? Was she ready for the high-gloss life she had so eagerly chased?

In founding Reckless, Leonie carved a space where fashion photography could do something more: it could question, inspire, and challenge traditional ideals. Because while the industry may sell its stories to men, Leonie has always been writing her own—and hers is just getting started.

"Women are the ones who make beauty happen."

Whether as muses, creators, or the energy behind the scenes, women possess a singular ability to inspire. "When you look at a woman," she explained, "you’re just gasping, honestly. Most of the time, you look at a woman, and you realize how beautiful and individual she can be." She pointed to the world of fashion and photography, where images often showcase women in slow motion, capturing their hair, their smile, or the meticulous way they apply makeup. These moments are more than visual; they encapsulate admiration, artistry, and cultural ideals.

Her vision for Reckless stemmed from this truth. "Images," she said, "are about more than what you see—they’re about what you feel." In an age of relentless scrolling and fleeting attention, she wanted her magazine to be a space where people could pause, reflect, and engage deeply with the stories behind each photograph. It wasn’t just about fashion or beauty but about the multidimensional nature of women and the emotions they bring to the frame.

"Women create the vision for a photographer," she emphasized. "You see more than just a body and a face—you feel the emotions, the energy." For her, every photograph of a woman is layered with meaning, representing her strength, resilience, and the beauty of her individuality. "Understanding a woman is like understanding the whole world in that sense."

The journey to bring Reckless to life

As a young entrepreneur navigating an industry steeped in gendered expectations, she often found herself judged—not for her work but for her audacity. Some men accused her of being "sexist" for focusing on women, a claim she met with unflinching resolve. "Why should I care about men in this context?" she asked. "Men are great, but this project isn’t about them. It’s about celebrating the talent and vision of women."

Her ability to rise above the criticism and stay true to her vision is a testament to her determination. She poured herself into the magazine—working multiple jobs to fund it, finding collaborators, and leading the entire process. "I did it all myself," she shared, "and while it was exhausting, it was also empowering. I learned to trust myself, even when others doubted me."

The emotional weight of the project was immense. "I cried more than once," she admitted, reflecting on the support she drew from her mother. Her mother’s strength, shaped by her experiences in Russia, became a cornerstone of her own resilience. "Everything I do is rooted in what she taught me. She didn’t have these opportunities, so I’m determined to create them—not just for me but for all women."

Ultimately, Reckless is about redefining what it means to be bold. "Reckless isn’t just a word—it’s a mindset," she said. "It means being strong, beautiful, powerful, and unapologetically yourself." With plenty of women contributing to its creation, the magazine is a living testament to the collective power of female creativity. It’s more than a publication; it’s a movement.

In her own words: "We can’t just sit, listen, and scroll. We need to act—to fight for the beauty and the passions we want in our lives. Women are more than their appearance. They’re strength, emotion, and vision all rolled into one."

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