Lapina was born in Riga, Latvia, and began her modeling career in 19.03.2005 when she was scouted on street of Riga by Nils Raumanis, the founder of DANDY model management in Riga, Latvia and after placed with MC2 Model Management in New York. Her runway debut was at the Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week in the Benjamin Cho show. In 2008 she signed with model agency Women Management. Lapina has since walked in shows for many notable designers in the Milan, Paris, London, and New York fashion weeks including Anna Sui, Nina Ricci, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Rodarte, Proenza Schouler, Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent, Carolina Herrera, Bottega Veneta, Versace, Valentino, and Louis Vuitton.

Lapina has been photographed in editorials for fashion magazines such as Russian Vogue, Marie Claire, Numéro, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Italia, American Vogue, Dazed & Confused and Flair, and has been featured on the cover of Velvet Magazine. Currently Lapina appears in the Sportmax Fall/Winter 2010 campaign, and in the Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2010 campaign alongside Siri Tollerød, Lindsey Wixson, and Daphne Groeneveld. Lapina is ranked 29th on the Top 50 Models Women List by models.com.