Pure beauty talk with… Valentina Zelyaeva
I don’t think Valentina Zelyaeva, the darling and beautiful Russian-born New-York based top model, the face of Ralph Lauren and a picture-perfect nature-loving raw food and yoga enthusiast, needs a long introduction.
She is a star and one of my favourite models of all times, beautiful inside and out. We share the same passion for healthy eating, juicing and holistic approach to life and I felt incredibly fortunate when she accepted my invitation to be a part of Pure Beauty series.
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What does beauty mean to you?
Physically beautiful person with an ugly personality doesn’t have a place in my heart. Beauty to me is glowing skin, toned body, beautiful posture, charming attitude, kind heart, politeness, compassion, kind acts in every day life – this is a true beautiful person to me.
When do you feel most beautiful?
Right after a yoga class. I live for this peaceful moment, when no every day stress can affect me. For this moment, when I feel energy running through my body after doing intense yoga poses, my hair is in a messy bun and I’m just feeling happy and blissful.
What kind of impact, in your opinion, fashion has on our perception of beauty?
Fashion magazines tend to over-glamorize things. People has to realize that every picture is photoshopped. There is no such a thing as perfect women without pimples, without cellulite or a single wrinkle. If you get caught on this “dream” and trying to follow it, I think you’ll never find true happiness.
Love yourself, eat healthy, exercise, be creative and stay connected to nature – it’s that simple.
Would you agree that it can be very easy to be lost between the fantasy created for editorials and adverts and the reality? What would you say to the girls and women who would do anything to look like a model on a photo simply because they believe that this is what beauty is all about?
It is easy for people to get caught on idea of beauty that magazines and media trying to project. But everything is photoshopped and retouched. Models are in a perfect pose to hid their body flaws, light is perfectly illuminating face features. It’s a moment. It’s a fantasy.
Enjoy looking at beautiful photo, but please DO realize that it’s not reality.
Discover what works for you.
Become the best version of yourself.
Drink lots of water for beautiful skin, eat raw organic food, get sunshine, exercise, find your passion in life, surround yourself with positive people.
Enjoy your life, not somebody else’s.
What was it that made you choose the fashion industry in a first place? Do you still feel the same way about modelling and fashion now as you did then?
I think the idea of traveling the world got my attention at first. When I turned 15 people started to make remarks about me try the modelling industry.
At first, I was really into modelling, but I didn’t expect to be turned down and being criticized every single day. So, it was really difficult.
Once I learned not to take things personally and never compare myself to other girls, things got easier. I learned English, I was working with clients who were booking me constantly. I started to travel a lot…
I really love my job. I know it’s a fantasy world, I love being a part of it, but it is not my life.
Modelling is a job. After the shoot I go home, I remove makeup, I wash my hair, then I look into a mirror and see myself surrounded by friends and family. And
that is what makes my happy.
Models often have to face a lot of criticism, from both the industry and the public - what are your ways of dealing with it?
I learned not to take things personally. You can’t satisfy everyone. To me, the most important person I have to please is myself. Because I’m stuck with myself for the rest of my life. So, I treat my body really well: I eat organic food, I sleep a lot, drink juices and plenty of water, I exercise and take days off to relax.
Having been a face of Ralph Lauren for many years, do you feel extra pressure to be in best possible shape 24/7 (not just for the designer, but also because your appearance might be scrutinised by the public)? How do you achieve that?
Ralph Lauren is the world known fashion brand. It’s an honour to represent it. Yes, I do feel the pressure to look my best at every single shoot. Ralph Lauren embraces an idea of healthy, beautiful, happy, glowing women. Which I resonate with myself SO much. I do my best, I make wise choices and that’s all that it takes.
Would you ever go on a diet?
Never. Diet is something temporarily, it doesn’t work, it puts your mind on negative note and is just lame. I’m all about adding to my life and expanding - not taking out and depriving my body and my life.
You are very particular about your nutrition and lifestyle habits - how did you discover the benefits of healthy eating?
I came across a book about raw food about 6 years ago. I was so amazed by it. I never thought about cooking destroying essential vitamins and minerals. But if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. I love my zucchinis raw, my beet juices and green smoothies.
Some people think it’s insane to have 1L of orange juice for breakfast, but I think eating at McDonalds and drinking Coca Cola all day every day IS very extreme.
What was it like to become a raw foodie? How did you find this transition?
Discovering raw food was the best moment of my life. I love eating raw food, it just makes me feel alive. I went raw over night, and stayed raw for 2 months, found it extremely difficult to maintain when I was traveling.
So, when I’m home I eat raw all the time, but I don’t stress about having an occasional pizza or pasta when I’m on set working.
Just be kind to yourself, love your body and don’t make your life ALL about food.
Do you have any food indulgences or treats?
I love pizza with truffles.
When do you feel the healthiest? What is the meaning of “being healthy” or “being a picture of health”, in your opinion?
I feel healthiest when I wake up full of energy, with plans and goals, without bags under my eyes, my skin is hydrated and I’m feeling very positive. “Being healthy” means being happy with yourself and your life.
Are there any health or beauty tips or word of advice you would be happy to share?
Love comes first – love yourself, accept yourself with all your flaws and weirdness because that’s what makes you YOU.
Find your passion in life and dive into it completely. Quit your job if you hate it. You will only do a favour to yourself and a company that you work for.
Follow your goals, dream, make plans, travel, discover, learn, be creative, eat organic, eat raw, drink water and veggie juices, go out in nature, surround yourself with beauty, do impossible for others.
. Any new work that isn't a candid is ALWAYS welcomed
