Natalia Vodianova Quotes

Moscow is a huge inspiration for me. I love what I find here, I love being here.

It's better to be skinny than to be fat.

I live a very different life now, with incredible privileges, but looking back I realise that growing up in Russia gave me tools that other people don't necessarily have - such as the will to push that bit further, to make things happen, to succeed.

I completely admire my mother for raising a child with cerebral palsy at home.

We all have our own purpose in life and I feel very strongly that I have a bigger purpose than giving to just my immediate family and friends.

Because of my childhood where I was constantly by myself, I always feel lonely. I have a lot of people that I absolutely love and I know love me but I can't get rid of that feeling of loneliness no matter who I'm with - even with my children.

My appearance gave me access to a particular kind of world and I'm really grateful for it.

The big contracts go to the girls who are healthy - they need to have a sparkle in their eyes and you can't fake that if you're unhealthy.

I love Yves Saint Laurent and Giambattista Valli and Givenchy and I get given quite a lot, but perhaps nothing is as wonderful as the white fake leather trench coat I got when I was 15.

I think protecting your family and giving to them is so important. It’s the most important achievement.

Before I left Russia in 1999, I was living in a very poor factory town with my family and friends, and nothing was ever going to change.

When I'm down on energy, I have these superfoods powders with supergreens, algae, spirulina, and wheat germ extract. Sometimes I have a course of vitamins. For example, in autumn I'm going to start shots of B12 and biotin. For me this is really important because I travel so much. My lifestyle is quite challenging and this is something that supplements me before winter starts, which is a difficult time for your body.

I don't mind being called Supernova. If one nickname is going to stick, that's not a bad one!

I know what it's like not to have food in the fridge or money to buy more.

I learnt early to have little expectation so I protected myself from ever feeling greatly disappointed.

When I was a teenager, I remember I wanted to put so much makeup on - it was just a natural thing over there. Why they do it, I guess, is because historically, there were twice as many women as there were men after the World War II.

Keeping up with everything I do requires some sacrifices, but once and a while I need to take some time to myself.

Finding out I was pretty was a very nice realisation.

If we're talking about being skinny or losing weight, I don't have that problem; it's genetics.

But when my grandmother saw me plucking [my eyebrows] she said: 'Don't. You will regret it. One day you will wake up with no eyebrows and think how stupid you were. Your eyebrows are the most beautiful thing about you.'

My childhood gave me resilience - and there's little that can surprise me in life.

The people that live in my hometown do not walk along the street with smiles on their faces. It is a desperate place, but I got out.

When I work as a model, it feels like holiday. Doing a shoot is so light in a way that it's really a good break from being a mother or running a charitable organization and other philanthropic projects that I'm really passionate about.

I do modern jazz and contemporary combined. I like to feel strong, flexible, and so there is stretching involved.

The secret to applying my makeup is that I just put it where it's needed.

After pregnancy, the important thing is rebuilding your back muscles.

Russian women are very friendly with makeup, almost too friendly sometimes.

I was born in Nizhny Novgorod to a very poor family and unfortunately my father and mother separated when I was very little.

I have made enough money to secure my family and that is all I care about.

As a child I really didn't like men at all, in fact.

When I remember my life in Russia it is in totally dark colours.

I believe in reincarnation of the soul.

When you become a mother, you think less about yourself and care more about the world.

You cannot leave the house to take the garbage out without full-on makeup and your hair done. You have to fight for your man out there.

If you never know hardship, you can't really support people around you.

When I really treat myself, I go to incredible Leonor Greyl in Paris for a head massage.

The best part of work is always working with people and getting to know them and having the sense that you're not actually working.

Writing down goals makes you think of what is achievable. It really makes you reflect on what you are today.

I missed quite a lot of school because I was working from the age of 11.

I don't want to have strong arms, like you get from Pilates or yoga. But dancing arms become your best accessory. And it's great for your core muscles.

Sometimes I just need to switch off.

When you are at the bottom, you find beauty in such little things, and goodness in such little gestures. When I compare any struggle today to ones that I may have had in my childhood, there is nothing that can bring me down.

I wear fragrance when I feel that just makeup is not enough. I'm not someone who uses it daily, but when I do, I feel so proud that I remembered and almost like I treated myself because I work really hard.

If you are ambitious you can have a moment of glory but it will most likely be temporary. But talent always finds its way out.