Eos

The park openings photos are always very special, very often my favourites. They are natural, full of joy, more human..... You know that Natalia's personal facebook account was hacked ? We will never know if it was a real one..

Hisinfernalmajesty, we don't know. Me too I always double-cross my legs !!! strange, cause I think it's quite rare. I've never seen any girl doing that except me before, although I know it exists. I thought Natalia hoped more money from The White Ball than what she got. I wish her very good holidays ...! I hope she will rest a little bit.

Natalia is magnificient !!!! I love her look. Of course it's more like a costume than an evening dress but I think it fits completely with the mood of the Ball. She is feeric. And I always love to see Lucas next to her I'm eager to know how will he look as a teeenager From my etam newsletter

Maybe it's forbidden by the guests but not by photographers, professional ones ? It would be a pity...

Good luck Natalia !!! can't wait to see pictures and videos.

tumblr

I loved very much this video ! always spontaneous, cute.......and I'm still amazed by her facial features. It's not every day that I see eyes like hers, (pointed !) teeth like hers Here are a few screencaps

Maryna, always skilled to find rare pics (your avatar she looks like a lionness ) The article in french is indeed very moving. I would like to translate it but I have no time today. Maybe tomorrow or on monday if nobody french does it before. It sounds so weird that Justin and her are through. Really...I was in the bus reading that from my phone, it's like reality always comes to hurt you, the fairy tale finally ended (but it's usually forever in stories !)..........I guess the fairytale is in fact symbolized by the higher aim of protecting russian children, by her own development.. Anyway, she is still young, a great part of her life is ahead, even if she already accomplished many things !

I felt a big sadness reading this confirmation article from UK dailymail. I really hope she's doing fine and wish her many good surprises. I'm happy to know she is again in love, even if it feels strange, after having been so used to see her with J. I love when journalists try to describe her. it must be impressive to see her in real life. I don't believe at all she is just photogenic. Thanks for everything, articles, translation, pics ! Can't wait for the event !

Me too I received the invitation via facebook, but I don't believe at all in that ! I think it's just for fun......and seems too beautiful to be real (and knowing the prices of the tables it would surprise me to get an invitation so easily...).

Thank you for the pictures, ariti congratulations for finding everytime brand new ones ! It's true that etam pics are too much photoshopped, it's a pity...but I loved the pics of the very first season, they looked natural, Natalia looked so exquisite on them. This Guerlain fall 2011 pic is in poster in the Guerlain shop of my city since at least the beginning of last winter ! Don't understand why it appears only now on the web. Natalia looks really radiant these days. Beautiful skin (looks more tanned than usual to me), smile, a good aura ...

I don't know if it was posted. Roberto Cavalli's dress Natalia, random and so cute, around 2004/2005

I wish her all the best if it's her new man (or not!). And for sure she doesn't owe anything to the press or anyone. May braveness be with her ! I hope she's doing fine...not too stressed by the upcoming event ! via ANV on tumblr Some old pics there.

Fashion spot sorry if repost Links on the dresses are now working on the White Ball website ! There is a bigger picture, an illustration, and an explanation for each dress, both in english and russian. There is also jewelry put on auction, among it a line of jewelry called russian fairytale, designed by Natalia. I'm impressed by the list of the honorary committee (some important persons in french politics ! ).

You're absolutely right, eos, but this is not the point I made. The thing is, this NYTimes piece is not about what we already know, but what Natalia let us know, albeit obliquely. I think this is the first time she comes to acknowledge the separation, even if she doesn't say the actual words. It was a clever, elegant move to break the news in her own way, after having dispelled divorce rumors in the past. That's what I find relevant about it. You can't dismiss the article as mere gossip or speculation. Because it's an interview, and because the NYTimes is such a reliable, responsible source, unless she issues a statement denying it, it's the official confirmation we never had. But I never said I disagreed with you, on the contrary, I think it was also very elegant from her to "officially" declare it in this kind of indirect way, to the reliable source which is the NY Times. I was just talking about some other personal feelings I had, like my curiosity about the reasons why they split up. And, I don't know for you, but I never needed any reliable or not source to be convinced of their separation, unfortunately. As a fan, and watching every of her pics and reading again and again her interviews, I could understand it.... I think I admire Natalia and am grateful towards her for what she does for her country ; giving it a good image, in an intelligent way, and helping its children. So many people have loads of money, I'm sure a lot more than her, and don't do anything. Which is very interesting is that I think she has the power to change the minds of these people, since she is kind of part of their elite, now. She is a saver, a robin hood, and at the same time has the physical appearance of a princess...an angel (very graceful, always elegant) , and thanks to that, she attracts people. The world needs more people like her. And I like when a person's life becomes a myth I would like her so much to stay in the minds of people in the future, maybe read one day her autobiography... But, I understand what you say too, aliceinwonderland. I have a kind of thing in me which tells me always to see things from a very fair point of view, not too passionate...but anyway, you should be proud of her ! Aren't you not ?

Thank you for all the pics and the article I think that, even without the NY times, we all had understood they were anyway separated....it was a bit obvious. Now I can't help being curious and wondering the reasons why they separated......I know it's not my business but I'm asking myself so much, as if I knew Natalia as a friend, and because everything seemed to work out so well for them, for so many years....I don't understand and I would like to know. I guess it's impossible. Justin and Natalia are not of this type...they will be always discreet concerning their privacy with medias.

I'm really impressed to see how she evoluated, from her beginnings (she was just a married young humble girl with many dreams as a new model) to now, a real business woman able to gather so many very important people, ruling such an association.....she seems much more unapproachable to me now, but I admire her She really has a blessed destiny. Hope she does not get too stressed ! I was also wondering if this time she'll be wearing a red dress, not that sure, since the colour theme is white and the dress code is silver/white. Maybe the only one in red ?

Translation of the ELLE article, first part It’s been 3 years she has been designing for etam and making their campaign. It’s been 3 years that consumers approve Natalia’s choice, in 4200 etam sales outlets all over the world. In the photo studio of Ménilmontant where I have an appointment with her, I see her popping up from the bottom of the path, she is wearing an orange skirt, a sugared almond pink corsage and black ballet shoes, from far away, she looks 12. Her legs are like those of a kid. The more she comes closer, the more she grows. At one meter from me, I easily give her 18 years old (she is 29 !). She is not that tall. Her shoulders are so narrow you can only look at them. Her boobs are so brittle, like buds. A woman who has 3 children. I like this girl because she is the sum of this maturity and intelligence inside this unachieved but perfect body. I say to her “We’ll talk only about fashion”. She sighs with release “That’s good, it will be easy”. What is your first fashion memory ? In Nizhniy Novgorod where I was bred, my taste was saved by my grand mother. She was like an icon for me, in all the meanings of this word, for us slavs. She was your mother’s mum ? Yes she is. She taught me that sophistication is a globality. The way you dress up, and the way you put flowers in a vase, it’s the same. When one say “until the nails” “jusqu’au bout des ongles” (in every inch) well, my grand mother was that. Perfect nails, beautiful accessories, in most humble things. She needed this beauty and this order. Where to buy sophisticated things in this Post communist Russia, above all with no money ? People were badly dressed, but splendid things were there. But knowledge was required to know they were there. We could find second hand clothes from the 40s, then you have such an allure ! We knew the vintage style in advance ! By this time, people were beginning to open shops. First, I had no money. Then, you know, there were not really any fashion shops. We could see things on tv, we would understand for sure these things existed, but then we had to cope with what was cheap, and ugly. Did you have jeans, for example ? Are you kidding ? How could I have one ? It was a luxury product. Some people had jeans, but we did not know them. I had saved money to buy me one. When I had all the money I needed, my parents had financial problems and I had to give it to them. When did you have your first jeans ? In Paris. A Levi’s, probably. What did you do in Russia to have a special look ? Like all the girls without money, I would bet everything on make up. My mother was furious, and then I would put high heels. They were of a bad quality, they would get broken easily, but you would feel beautiful anyway.

facebook I crave to read this article in the new ELLE, but can't buy it anyway, ANV will post it soon ! I think the article will be interesting ( title : the woman behind the star )

Some years ago, a french writer, Frederic Beigbeder, wrote a book ; The story takes place in Russia, that's about an extremely beautiful young russian girl living with her mum in poor conditions and dreaming of being a model (quite similar life scheme as Natalia's). She is noticed by a french scoot, the hero, who falls in love with her, wants to bring her to France and make her a star. Our Natalia is mentioned in the book (her early life), the russian heroin is often compared to her. It's not high literature, some people dislike Beigbeder's writing style (sometimes a bit vulgar, very direct), and this book was criticized a lot (too many clichés about Russia) but anyway it might be interesting/funny to read it when you're a Natalia fan !

Sorry if I was not very clear about the tzarevitch, I was trying to ask myself wether or not the journalist was making a parallel between Justin and this character. I sometimes get lost in the train of my ideas here in this forum I asked my russian boyfriend about the tzarevitch in russian fairytales, he told me it's a stupid character who is very lucky and always manages to cope with everything in spite of his stupidity. Well I know it's futile, trying to understand the parallel drawn by this journalist between Natalia's life and a fairytale is not the best thing to speculate on. I really thought all these paintings previously posted were made by Justin ( except the ones on the bottom left). I was also convinced he had paint the one with Natalia looking at the red square.

Thanks Pautinka for the precisions ok, let's not be too hard towards Justin of course, we don't know all about this phone story....but is it me or is there really something against Justin in more and more of Nat's interviews ? Something not directly said but one can feel a certain rancour. So is it the truth ? Is Natalia really the victim ? Or is it a kind of press strategy to attract more readers ? (if it's that, it's horrible to use Justin like that)... Justin was madly in love with Natalia for sure (incessingly following her, painting these beautiful portraits) but I think Natalia was, too, as much as him ! You can see that on the photos, she looks very sweet with him, trying to kiss and so on. I remember her saying about him "if someone gets to know you, this person will for sure love you, and love the things you love, cause you are just so cool" something like this. Anyway......sometimes I still can't believe all their love, which was so beautiful for me, a bit like a model, came to dust now..........it's really not reassuring for european/russian couples ! I guess that something really unbearable for them was going on, to part after all these years.......... About the story of Katya and the tzarevitch....again something against Justin ? For sure he is not stupid, far from being so.... Maybe it simply does not represent Justin. Maybe Russia ? Poor children in Russia ? But the ending "itch" sounds manly no ? perhaps just for men ? I think I'm not able to resolve this if I'm not a russian speaker. I like all this White Ball project, associated with russian fairy tales and myths, that's so romantic, interesting... (would like to read these fairytales) I hope Natalia raises a lot of money. ahh when I was younger I wanted much bigger boobs but now that I see the most beautiful girl has small ones (but not that small to me of a normal size.) I'm not that worried about this question that's just different, it doesn't alter the beauty of a girl

I find it a bit shocking too.....maybe their apparent paradise was not exactly a paradise. I'm sure Justin is a good guy, but maybe a little bit strange sometimes....I think he is a kind of dreamy guy, you know a bit clumsy, in his thoughts, not really caring about what's going on.... I'm a bit like him too but never answer the phone for his wife ! That's a bit too much... Maybe was he really shy to answer in russian ? Maybe he didn't like them, these russian friends...? It's not very difficult to answer the phone for someone else, even in a foreign language, and even in russian ! His wife is russian, he spent a lot of time with her, enough to be able to say "for Natalia ? Ok!" and give her the phone..or say "she is not here, in 2 hours, 2 days, she will be here" if it's the case. And to me, "different" sounds like positive. like she had a good renewal in her life.(but I'm probably too much influenced by french!) Maybe we don't know much about what's really going on with her.

Thank you for all the pictures, oldies and news ! I don't pay much attention either to Natalia's rings, but girls, I remember she said in several interviews she lost a cherished ring during some event, and was very disappointed and upset by that. Maybe it's her wedding ring, but I'm not sure about that though, cause she must have many valuable and beautiful ones.... Ok so now I really can't wait for this film to come out ! by the way I also agree Nat should put on weight just a little bit...

A model should play any role, so why not a darker one ? I think I like this editorial. It makes me think of movies by Wong Kar Wai. I see Natalia is really successful in the far east too..that's pleasurable and funny to see it it puts her in another different decor. Of course she can do better...the question is, is she still able to be the fresh and truly smiling Natalia for a photoshoot ? Seems like she has less abilities than before to play a role...also maybe because she is less asked to shoot more interesting things. New models, younger, are coming...(even if I think she is unique). I hope that her movie is a great success and gives her a regain of attention (from public and from fashion industry), not that she totally lost it, but people will get more interested in her, maybe some others will discover her (many people don't know any model but know actresses). I also noticed these hairs on her face...let's hope that it's not noticeable from the eye , only on a close up from a I don't know how many pixels camera.