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Hi everybody, I'm so happy I bought the Dutch Elle (celebrating it's 20th birthday) because Natalia is in it, with a large interview!
I translated it for you guys!
Supernova
Natalia Vodianova isn't just an ordinary Russian model. She is a mom, business woman, filantrophist and figure head for Calvin Klein’s new Euphoria eau the toilette. She knows exactly what she does ánd she has something interesting to say about it too.
When someone is being asked to call a Russian model they will immediately say Natalia Vodianova, even though the magazines and international catwalks feature a lot of Russian models. But Natalia Vodianova is something special.
Of course she is gorgeous, but in her profession group there are more people with bambi kind of eyes, bambi bones and a sultry mouth but they haven’t made it into the list of the 7th most earning model of the last year. Natalia is especially special because of her mysterious choices she makes. Between her 20th and 25th birthday (glorious years for a model) she gave birth to three children together with her British husband Justin Portman (youngest child of a rich aristocratic family). It’s officially seen as a career suicide to give birth to children when you’re are a model between the age of your 20-25, but not with Natalia (27), giving birth to three children – Lukas (7) (it’s with a c right?), Neva (3) and Viktor (2) – didn’t had a negative effect at her career, more like the opposite, she became more successful than ever.
Natalia isn’t afraid of giving her opinion (a model with an opinion!) about controversial subjects. She gave for example once a speech about the pressure to models staying being thin during a diner of the council of Fashion Designer of America. Not that she gained weight after giving birth to her three children – we saw that at the June issue of the English Vogue where she posed naked. Also at the list of not expected activities is being a host at the Eurovision Song Festival in Russia. And she is also involved with charities. She doesn’t only provide her face to an already existing charity, like so many celebs, but founding the Naked Heart Foundation, a foundation which she personally manages and which constructs play parks in less fortunate districts in Russian cities. Her own youth in a slum of Gorki (now Nizjni Novgorod) used to be her inspiration. She grew there up, together with two sisters and without a Dad, and didn’t had a lot money.
From her 11th she often needed to assist her Mom in a fruit and vegetables stand at a street. At her 17th she left to Paris to become a model and that’s how it all changed. Between a few years she was one of the most asked models and she did campaigns for example Calvin Klein, Chanel and Guerlain.
We meet Natalia Vodianova in London in her role as the face for the new eau the toilette Euphoria of Calvin Klein (she was also the face for the campaign of the already existing eau the parfum). For a super model, übermother and a never getting tired manager of her own charity she is kind a like not intimidating, more girly like and tender. She has a very soft voice while answering the questions wisely and seriously, but showing her wilfulness while the interview last 15 minutes longer than planned even though pr ladies are looking at their watches. As a way to please the pr ladies she brings without any difficulty the interview back at the reason why we are there: the new sent. And then you realise why her career is so successful: this isn’t just a Russian doll, Natalia Vodianova knows exactly what she does!
Elle: You come across as somebody that isn’t afraid, you’re taking risks and does things just a little bit different. Is this statement correct?
NV: Funny, it’s actually the first time that someone describes me like that, but it’s true. I do take risks, even though I call them chances. I think I’m different than anybody else in this. I’m very positive and I believe that while working hard, you will be rewarded for it.
Elle: Just after your career got bigger, you decided to get children. That isn’t something everybody would do.
NV: That’s right. A lot of people told me: ‘What are you doing? You’re ruining you’re life!’. But I just follow my instinct, I couldn’t do it differently. My decisions are based at what my heart tells me to do, otherwise it would feel like I would cheat to myself.
Elle: A short time ago you were naked at the cover of the Vogue, that’s brave.
NV: When Alexandra Shluman (chief editor of the British Vogue) mailed me with the proposal to pose naked I was kind of shocked as well. Not in the way of how I it would look like, but because it was the British Vogue, I was afraid of what Justin and my mother in law would think about it.
Elle: And, how did they response to it?
NV: I haven’t talked to my mother in law, but my husband is very pleased with it and proud of it. It wasn’t because of exhibitionism that I decided to participate, but more because I wanted to show with other women how to live healty. I love cookies, but at the other side I can’t just sit on my butt being lazy, I even wasn’t like that when I was pregnant. A lot of women see a pregnancy as an excuse to eat a lot, but you only need what is best for the baby and eat healthy. I was young of course when I got my children, so then it’s perhaps easy to get your shape back, but I always took care of myself. You’re what you eat, that is something I truly believe in. But let’s not talk about that now in detail, I am only really fierce because of the cover I did there was an article about it in The Daily Mail, which said that I was being blamed to give women a bad feeling about themselves, because all the pictures were according to them photo shopped. I don’t think that’s honest. I just take care of myself.
Elle: You family is very visible, your husband and children participate in for example photo shoots. Is that a deliberate choice?
NV: I’m proud of what I’ve, my family, my husband, my children. I think that when you’re too protective, you’re asking for troubles also. People are able to see my children anyways, when they’re going to school, when they’re outside, I can’t hide them. I’m not insane, I do lock the door in the evenings, but I’m not going to hide my children. Can you imagine what that would be for them? I don’t want my children to feel themselves even more special than how they feel right now. They have to feel special because of the love we give and not because their parents are in a magazine.
Elle: You live in England, do you send them along with something Russian?
NV: Of course, and they think that’s amazing. We are going to Russia very often and I’m very proud that they’re reading Russian books, singing Russian songs and watching Russian cartoons. I’m very proud of my country and I don’t want them to withdraw them from that side.
Elle: Were you as a child in Gorki already interested in fashion and beauty?
NV: Yes. My grandmother was my icon .Every day she woke up at 5:30 and walked in ran in the park, after that she went swimming in the lake, even when it was freezing cold in the winter. She then came back and prepared everybody’s breakfast and after that she did her hair. She had a great hairstyle and was always wearing red lipstick and white powder. Meanwhile she managed the whole family: cooking, cleaning and taking care of the garden. She was truly an amazing woman. And you weren’t allowed to come across her room and touch her jewels and clothes. That was her holy place and she always knew immediately when I touched something. When I became older I was sometimes allowed to use her jewels and try her make up and I always felt really special.
Elle: There is a big contrast between your youth in Russia and your lifestyle now. Does your youth has any influence in the choices you make?
NV: I hope it influence my in a good way and that’s the reason why I have my own charity. At some time it’s not enough to share my success with my family and people around me. I thought I needed to do more and that’s absolutely driven because of my youth. It felt it was my duty. Even though running my charity is a constant battle. I’m very concerned, because it only exists of three people: a director in Russia, one in England and me.
Elle: Do you still love modelling work?
NV: Yes, and that has to do with my background. My Mom never wore make up and did’nt take care of herself. I get a kind of empowerment out of it to look beautiful. At least in my work, because when I’m home and are taking care of my children I’m just a Mom at Uggs. Besides that the modelling work means independence for me. It brings me a lot, including, how would I say this in a funny way…money. Because of the money that I make out of it I can travel and work for my charity without having the feeling to spoil the money of my husband. Like you might know my husband isn’t exactly poor and that was the reason for me to earn money myself. When we married I didn’t even wanted him to give me a present, but slowly there is more balance and we do buy each other gifts.
Elle: With whom would you like to work with at this ideal work day?
NV: With Steven Meisel and Grace Coddington, and then a fantasy inspired shoot.
Elle: Like the one you did in the American Vogue portraying legendary models?
NV: Yes, what an experience. It was a martyrdom physically spoken, because the whole day people were pushing and pulling me and that only for five minutes that Steven needed to do his magical work. But the photos are worth to cry for that’s how beautiful they are.
Elle: We don’t see you very often at the catwalk.
NV: No, it’s not necessary anymore to do that. When I’m walking one show, it costs me three days of fittings and the show itself, and it’s not worth it to be away so long from my family. Sometimes, when people really want me to, I make an exception.
Elle: We saw you present the Song Festival. Are you secretly a fan?
NV: (makes a throw up gesture) Yes, look this is the way it was. I do know how stupid the Song Festival is and when they asked me to present the Festival my reaction was ‘no way’, but they knew how to persuade me (puts an invisible knife at her throat). I was convinced that it would be a really great idea and that it was important in a political way, so I couldn’t refuse. I even had to re-schedule other work for it. But they sponsor a play park in Moscow, so I got something back for it. And in the end it was fun to do. Hard, but the boy with whom I presented, Andrei MAlakhov, I knew already and his incredibly kind. He did help me at an event for my charity the night before. I wasn’t able to get any person to present and do it for free and that’s why he did it. I’m him ever grateful for doing that and he really is the sweetest guy which I know in Moscow, but (in a whispery sound) he has to do something about his hair, that would make him look so much nicer! So, now you want to ask me something about the new Euphoria?
Elle: Eh, yes. Do you think you ‘need to have something’ with the products which you represent?
NV: Yes, definatley. And Euphoria is very special for me, because it’s the last perfume that Calvin Klein launched before he retired. I had the honour to be the last face which he choose himself and that means a lot to me. When they asked me again for this campaign I was very much in shock at first, it’s such an honour to be asked for the second time. It’s also a beautiful product and for this campaign I worked with my favourite people in the industry: Steven Meisel, Guido Palau, Pat MCGrath and Fabien Baron. I evolved as a woman and as a model and I have more confidence now. I appreciate it very much that Calvin Klein gave me the chance to show that.
Dutch Elle, October 2009
Scans by me.
Sorry the scans are not exactly straight, had some problems with it.. so sorry about that.
I translated it for you guys!
Supernova
Natalia Vodianova isn't just an ordinary Russian model. She is a mom, business woman, filantrophist and figure head for Calvin Klein’s new Euphoria eau the toilette. She knows exactly what she does ánd she has something interesting to say about it too.
When someone is being asked to call a Russian model they will immediately say Natalia Vodianova, even though the magazines and international catwalks feature a lot of Russian models. But Natalia Vodianova is something special.
Of course she is gorgeous, but in her profession group there are more people with bambi kind of eyes, bambi bones and a sultry mouth but they haven’t made it into the list of the 7th most earning model of the last year. Natalia is especially special because of her mysterious choices she makes. Between her 20th and 25th birthday (glorious years for a model) she gave birth to three children together with her British husband Justin Portman (youngest child of a rich aristocratic family). It’s officially seen as a career suicide to give birth to children when you’re are a model between the age of your 20-25, but not with Natalia (27), giving birth to three children – Lukas (7) (it’s with a c right?), Neva (3) and Viktor (2) – didn’t had a negative effect at her career, more like the opposite, she became more successful than ever.
Natalia isn’t afraid of giving her opinion (a model with an opinion!) about controversial subjects. She gave for example once a speech about the pressure to models staying being thin during a diner of the council of Fashion Designer of America. Not that she gained weight after giving birth to her three children – we saw that at the June issue of the English Vogue where she posed naked. Also at the list of not expected activities is being a host at the Eurovision Song Festival in Russia. And she is also involved with charities. She doesn’t only provide her face to an already existing charity, like so many celebs, but founding the Naked Heart Foundation, a foundation which she personally manages and which constructs play parks in less fortunate districts in Russian cities. Her own youth in a slum of Gorki (now Nizjni Novgorod) used to be her inspiration. She grew there up, together with two sisters and without a Dad, and didn’t had a lot money.
From her 11th she often needed to assist her Mom in a fruit and vegetables stand at a street. At her 17th she left to Paris to become a model and that’s how it all changed. Between a few years she was one of the most asked models and she did campaigns for example Calvin Klein, Chanel and Guerlain.
We meet Natalia Vodianova in London in her role as the face for the new eau the toilette Euphoria of Calvin Klein (she was also the face for the campaign of the already existing eau the parfum). For a super model, übermother and a never getting tired manager of her own charity she is kind a like not intimidating, more girly like and tender. She has a very soft voice while answering the questions wisely and seriously, but showing her wilfulness while the interview last 15 minutes longer than planned even though pr ladies are looking at their watches. As a way to please the pr ladies she brings without any difficulty the interview back at the reason why we are there: the new sent. And then you realise why her career is so successful: this isn’t just a Russian doll, Natalia Vodianova knows exactly what she does!
Elle: You come across as somebody that isn’t afraid, you’re taking risks and does things just a little bit different. Is this statement correct?
NV: Funny, it’s actually the first time that someone describes me like that, but it’s true. I do take risks, even though I call them chances. I think I’m different than anybody else in this. I’m very positive and I believe that while working hard, you will be rewarded for it.
Elle: Just after your career got bigger, you decided to get children. That isn’t something everybody would do.
NV: That’s right. A lot of people told me: ‘What are you doing? You’re ruining you’re life!’. But I just follow my instinct, I couldn’t do it differently. My decisions are based at what my heart tells me to do, otherwise it would feel like I would cheat to myself.
Elle: A short time ago you were naked at the cover of the Vogue, that’s brave.
NV: When Alexandra Shluman (chief editor of the British Vogue) mailed me with the proposal to pose naked I was kind of shocked as well. Not in the way of how I it would look like, but because it was the British Vogue, I was afraid of what Justin and my mother in law would think about it.
Elle: And, how did they response to it?
NV: I haven’t talked to my mother in law, but my husband is very pleased with it and proud of it. It wasn’t because of exhibitionism that I decided to participate, but more because I wanted to show with other women how to live healty. I love cookies, but at the other side I can’t just sit on my butt being lazy, I even wasn’t like that when I was pregnant. A lot of women see a pregnancy as an excuse to eat a lot, but you only need what is best for the baby and eat healthy. I was young of course when I got my children, so then it’s perhaps easy to get your shape back, but I always took care of myself. You’re what you eat, that is something I truly believe in. But let’s not talk about that now in detail, I am only really fierce because of the cover I did there was an article about it in The Daily Mail, which said that I was being blamed to give women a bad feeling about themselves, because all the pictures were according to them photo shopped. I don’t think that’s honest. I just take care of myself.
Elle: You family is very visible, your husband and children participate in for example photo shoots. Is that a deliberate choice?
NV: I’m proud of what I’ve, my family, my husband, my children. I think that when you’re too protective, you’re asking for troubles also. People are able to see my children anyways, when they’re going to school, when they’re outside, I can’t hide them. I’m not insane, I do lock the door in the evenings, but I’m not going to hide my children. Can you imagine what that would be for them? I don’t want my children to feel themselves even more special than how they feel right now. They have to feel special because of the love we give and not because their parents are in a magazine.
Elle: You live in England, do you send them along with something Russian?
NV: Of course, and they think that’s amazing. We are going to Russia very often and I’m very proud that they’re reading Russian books, singing Russian songs and watching Russian cartoons. I’m very proud of my country and I don’t want them to withdraw them from that side.
Elle: Were you as a child in Gorki already interested in fashion and beauty?
NV: Yes. My grandmother was my icon .Every day she woke up at 5:30 and walked in ran in the park, after that she went swimming in the lake, even when it was freezing cold in the winter. She then came back and prepared everybody’s breakfast and after that she did her hair. She had a great hairstyle and was always wearing red lipstick and white powder. Meanwhile she managed the whole family: cooking, cleaning and taking care of the garden. She was truly an amazing woman. And you weren’t allowed to come across her room and touch her jewels and clothes. That was her holy place and she always knew immediately when I touched something. When I became older I was sometimes allowed to use her jewels and try her make up and I always felt really special.
Elle: There is a big contrast between your youth in Russia and your lifestyle now. Does your youth has any influence in the choices you make?
NV: I hope it influence my in a good way and that’s the reason why I have my own charity. At some time it’s not enough to share my success with my family and people around me. I thought I needed to do more and that’s absolutely driven because of my youth. It felt it was my duty. Even though running my charity is a constant battle. I’m very concerned, because it only exists of three people: a director in Russia, one in England and me.
Elle: Do you still love modelling work?
NV: Yes, and that has to do with my background. My Mom never wore make up and did’nt take care of herself. I get a kind of empowerment out of it to look beautiful. At least in my work, because when I’m home and are taking care of my children I’m just a Mom at Uggs. Besides that the modelling work means independence for me. It brings me a lot, including, how would I say this in a funny way…money. Because of the money that I make out of it I can travel and work for my charity without having the feeling to spoil the money of my husband. Like you might know my husband isn’t exactly poor and that was the reason for me to earn money myself. When we married I didn’t even wanted him to give me a present, but slowly there is more balance and we do buy each other gifts.
Elle: With whom would you like to work with at this ideal work day?
NV: With Steven Meisel and Grace Coddington, and then a fantasy inspired shoot.
Elle: Like the one you did in the American Vogue portraying legendary models?
NV: Yes, what an experience. It was a martyrdom physically spoken, because the whole day people were pushing and pulling me and that only for five minutes that Steven needed to do his magical work. But the photos are worth to cry for that’s how beautiful they are.
Elle: We don’t see you very often at the catwalk.
NV: No, it’s not necessary anymore to do that. When I’m walking one show, it costs me three days of fittings and the show itself, and it’s not worth it to be away so long from my family. Sometimes, when people really want me to, I make an exception.
Elle: We saw you present the Song Festival. Are you secretly a fan?
NV: (makes a throw up gesture) Yes, look this is the way it was. I do know how stupid the Song Festival is and when they asked me to present the Festival my reaction was ‘no way’, but they knew how to persuade me (puts an invisible knife at her throat). I was convinced that it would be a really great idea and that it was important in a political way, so I couldn’t refuse. I even had to re-schedule other work for it. But they sponsor a play park in Moscow, so I got something back for it. And in the end it was fun to do. Hard, but the boy with whom I presented, Andrei MAlakhov, I knew already and his incredibly kind. He did help me at an event for my charity the night before. I wasn’t able to get any person to present and do it for free and that’s why he did it. I’m him ever grateful for doing that and he really is the sweetest guy which I know in Moscow, but (in a whispery sound) he has to do something about his hair, that would make him look so much nicer! So, now you want to ask me something about the new Euphoria?
Elle: Eh, yes. Do you think you ‘need to have something’ with the products which you represent?
NV: Yes, definatley. And Euphoria is very special for me, because it’s the last perfume that Calvin Klein launched before he retired. I had the honour to be the last face which he choose himself and that means a lot to me. When they asked me again for this campaign I was very much in shock at first, it’s such an honour to be asked for the second time. It’s also a beautiful product and for this campaign I worked with my favourite people in the industry: Steven Meisel, Guido Palau, Pat MCGrath and Fabien Baron. I evolved as a woman and as a model and I have more confidence now. I appreciate it very much that Calvin Klein gave me the chance to show that.
Dutch Elle, October 2009
Scans by me.
Sorry the scans are not exactly straight, had some problems with it.. so sorry about that.
Attachments
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P.S. The pictures are saying the following: Again in front of the camera for Calvin Kleins Euphoria.
Watching the results with in the background hair stylist Guido Palau.
You're what you eat, I truly believe that, but let's not talk about it now (in picture watching the results from the shoot).
Givenchy: spring/summer 2008
On the cover of Numéro, February 2004
With daughter Neva, after the spring/winter show of Diane von Furstenberg.
On the cover of the Dutch Elle, August 2003.
On the cover of W, November 2004.
With husband Justin Portman, at the opening of an Armani store at 5the Avenue..
Naked at the British Vogue, June 2009.
Together with Andrei Malakhov for the European Song Festival.
The campaign for Euphoria eau de toilette.
In the Moleskine of your reporter.
Dutch Elle, October 2009.
Watching the results with in the background hair stylist Guido Palau.
You're what you eat, I truly believe that, but let's not talk about it now (in picture watching the results from the shoot).
Givenchy: spring/summer 2008
On the cover of Numéro, February 2004
With daughter Neva, after the spring/winter show of Diane von Furstenberg.
On the cover of the Dutch Elle, August 2003.
On the cover of W, November 2004.
With husband Justin Portman, at the opening of an Armani store at 5the Avenue..
Naked at the British Vogue, June 2009.
Together with Andrei Malakhov for the European Song Festival.
The campaign for Euphoria eau de toilette.
In the Moleskine of your reporter.
Dutch Elle, October 2009.
from channels
could someone upload this video in youtube please...
is with Natalia but i can' t watch it
http://www.channels.com/episodes/sh...6633982/The-Rachel-Zoe-Project-Brad-s-in-Love
could someone upload this video in youtube please...
is with Natalia but i can' t watch it
http://www.channels.com/episodes/sh...6633982/The-Rachel-Zoe-Project-Brad-s-in-Love
Ochi Chernye
Active Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2008
- Messages
- 2,624
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I would upload it but Bravo would probably file a copyright claim. Sorry. Thanks for the link though. Natalia looked gorgeous in that dress.
M
Magnus
Guest
Natalia Vodianova arrives at Fashion's Night Out Vogue & Burberry Cocktail Party in London - September 10, 2009
tlfan.to
tlfan.to
M
Magnus
Guest
tlfan.to
here is more links if you can't upload from them!
thank you
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=62951751
http://tv.yahoo.com/the-rachel-zoe-project/show/42508/videos
http://video.tvguide.com/The+Rachel+Zoe+Project/Brads+in+Love/2743522?autoplay=true
thank you
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=62951751
http://tv.yahoo.com/the-rachel-zoe-project/show/42508/videos
http://video.tvguide.com/The+Rachel+Zoe+Project/Brads+in+Love/2743522?autoplay=true
Ochi Chernye
Active Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2008
- Messages
- 2,624
- Reaction score
- 6
I embedded the preview from The Rachel Zoe Project to Natalia Web, perhaps you guys can watch it there. I'll try and see if I can upload it to rapidshare.
I remembered moussemaker telling me to upload pictures at several websites, so I solved the problem myself. Here is the link with an old picture of Natalia, scanned by me from the Dutch Elle issue of November 2009.
http://a.imagehost.org/view/0246/Scannen0001
And I can't watch the video of the Rachel Zoe project either:S.
http://a.imagehost.org/view/0246/Scannen0001
And I can't watch the video of the Rachel Zoe project either:S.
Fiercification
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The Dutch Elle article is very interesting...especially the part about the UK Vogue cover and the recent Meisel ed. Thanks twnv
Thank you for your reply about the article Fiercification! I totally thought it was an interesting article. In the beginning I thought, oh no not the same story again about the fruit and vegetable stand etc, but they had some very interesting questions and Natalia is very open.. I had to laugh about Natalia and her reaction to the European Song Festival and Mahklov (or what he's name is). She has such a great humor (wahah imaginary knife to her throat etc..) you go girl wahhaa. She is so down to earth and I like the fact that she wants to earn money herself instead of using Justins money and that she puts her family first! And of course the fact that she has her own charity!
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