Palette at the Ready
FINNISH COSMOPOLITAN APRIL 09
translated by me
Fashion photographs don't tell the whole truth about Sasha Pivovarova, 23. She reveals her soul through her art. Article by Heidi Valtonen
It feels bizarre to see the fashion model from numerous editorials and campaigns in real life. Reality is often forgotten while looking at pictures which are only able to reveal half of the story. This time the reality is much more amazing than what we are able to see in photographs. Russian Sasha Pivovarova is one of the most booked models in the fashion industry. We're sitting on a sofa of a high class parisian hotel and she looks astonishingly young for her age and suprisingly fragile, like a sprite who has just flown out of a fairytale. Sasha's trademark eyes are incredibly immense and it's difficult not to look at them.
Originally Sasha was supposed to become an artist in her hometown Moscow. Three years ago though her photographer boyfriend sent a picture of her to a modeling agency. It paid off, since Sasha was immediately booked at Prada. Her studies at art school were put aside when she and her boyfriend moved to New York to work. Since then the pair have got married. Back in Moscow Sasha's family was surprised by her new career choice.
"My father is a very old-fashioned russian man. He could've never imagined me having such a modeling career, and before all this, I couldn't have either! Six months after starting my modeling career I went to my fathers work place and noticed, he had decorated a whole wall with pictures of me. It meant more to me than I can even describe," Sasha recollects in her quiet voice.
***
Despite being forced to put her art studies on hold Sasha never forgot about her true passion.
"I always carry a book with me in which I gather everything I see. I draw the places I've visited and make collages of photographs I've taken. Drawing and painting have been an important part of my life since childhood, so it's quite certain that my future will also involve art."
Sasha often finds herself drawing backstage, even using things such as kohl pencils for her art. Combining modeling and art has actually been a perfect match for her.
"My work involves a lot of travelling. I've seen many amazingly beautiful places and therefore painted especially many landscapes. I find sources for inspiration everywhere and anywhere."
A familiar face stares back from many of Sasha's paintings. The big eyes and delicate features are easy to identify and she admits to painting a lot of self-portraits.
"I've gotten used to looking at my own face from sitting in front of a mirror for so many hours a day, getting make -up and hair done. It's incredibly important for me to paint the eyes right because they tell the most about a person. But to be honest, there's a small piece of me in every one of my paintings."
***
With her diverse background of fashion related work Sasha has even enjoyed six consecutive seasons of Prada campaigns. She was recently chosen as the new face of Biotherm. The ad campaign was shot by a familiar fashion photographer, Mark Segal.
"We've already done several photo shoots together for Vogue Paris. It's always a joy to work with Mark, because I like his original vision. If I could choose between editorial and runway work, I'd only do editorial. At photo shoots the photographer and model have the chance to work together and leave their own mark on the work. Which means I'm free to use my creativity."
Among Sasha's favourite designers are the likes of Miuccia Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier and lastly Giambattista Valli, who has bought several of the model's paintings. When it comes to her own style, Sasha describes it as relaxed/casual/laid back.
"I like comfortable clothes and I love dressing in layered looks. Perhaps it's because I come from Russia, where you have to wear a lot of clothes because of the cold," Sasha laughs shortly, "Long dresses and colours are also part of my style. I mix and match different colours, trying to find exciting combinations."
***
Protecting the environment is particularly important for Sasha.
"If we continue to waste nature at this pace, there'll be nothing left for the future generations. I use water very sparingly and I never leave the light on needlessly. I also sort and recycle my rubbish, which unfortunately isn't enough of a habit for most of the population."
Charity work, too, has a special place in Sasha's heart. This is why she donated the profit from her first exhibition to a trust that supports children who have faced hardships.
In her free time the supermodel doodles at her art studio and chills out with friends. Instead of nightclubs and celebrity parties she likes to spend her evenings at home in the arms of her husband. Sasha keeps her body in shape with Kung Fu, which she does three times a week.
"There's a temple in NYC where I go to train with my master as my teacher. The story of my master is a very captivating one because he(?) grew up with real Shaolin monks in a Chinese temple. Now he's so experienced at Kung Fu that it's difficult to see his lightning-fast moves with the naked eye."
Sasha has graced the covers od numerous international fashion magazines during her career. Seeing her own face in the newspaper racks hasn't made her a diva though.
"I don't believe that success has changed me in any way. I was happy as an art student and I'm happy now," Sasha smiles.
Fin.
There's a picture of some of the magazines she's been on the cover of too and she's written a small note (to the writer of the article, probably
"special souvenir: the covers I did for
officiel magazine - my husband was
the photographer - and for Vogue with
Peter Lindbergh."
I wish the picture was larger, her handwriting seems absolutely
gorgeous!
What a cutie!