acfr1968

Well said.

As we all agree, we know nothing of what is going on. I don't like the way Justin is being portrayed either, because he's not there to give his side of the story, but, to be honest, Justin is arguably light years beyond that. His life doesn't much depend on media or public approval; no matter what his (ex) wife says, he's filthy rich, he has a gazillion friends, he will move on to whatever direction he pleases. I have a feeling he already has. She might say these things, he most probably doesn't much care or resent. Justin's life is above and beyond Tatler, Vogue, whatever. This is her thing, not his. He doesn't need to explain himself, to give his side of the story. He's a Portman, for Pete's sake, he doesn't need to look good to us. The world in which he inhabits is his; he was born into it. If he felt he needed vindication, "friends" would be speaking for him to the press right now. We all know how this works. As I see it, the highest probability is that Justin was the one to call it quits. Natalia seemed very happy and content in her marriage, which suited her to a T. He was always with her, always keeping her company. She looked happy and in love, and the couple's life pretty much orbitated around her. So, it's logical to assume that Justin might have reached a point where he was no longer that happy and content, and decided to do his own thing. They perhaps entered some sort of trial separation (not a divorce). I'd say Natalia agreed, assuming that he needed time and space, and that things would hopefully end up going back to the way they always were. One year and a half later the matter is not settled yet? Maybe. I don't blame Justin for quitting, if he did; he's a pretty decent guy who was in love and most probably did the best he could. I have the feeling he was the one to leave the fairy tale and I wouldn't be surprised if he did. As much as he might have loved Natalia, the role of Prince Charming did nothing for him. I'm thinking of that memorable quote, "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". Natalia is trying to keep civil, and she is, for the most part. There's something bothering her inside, however, and she needs to blurt it out; since she apparently can't, or won't, she keeps dropping hints, she's feeling different, whatever. She could have said so much more, if she really wanted to trash him or their marriage. Her "grievances" as a wife are not that bad, and she even tried to justify his behaviour in some instances. I suppose she's frustrated, sad, lonely. I'll cut her some slack (I wouldn't be surprised if Justin is cutting her some slack, too). Well, here again, another futile exercise in speculation. I just wish them both happiness.

Yeah, I think it's a conundrum indeed and she wants to keep it that way. As I said, it's just one of these things she's been saying lately that need more comment to make sense entirely and she just won't elaborate... Thanks, pautinka! But for you, I'd have absolutely no idea whatsoever what the article is all about. Now, I'm waiting for the Ball. The way you described it, it will be magnificent! ETA: There is one interesting parallel, brought up by the author. One of the tales from these Russian books has a heroine poor Katya, who after a difficult childhood looses her last relative (old babushka), and sets out to find her lost tzarevitch (the article says "you get who it is exactly"), who has been bewitched by a cold evil witch (embodied by Tilda Winton for the shoot). Katya even has three matryoshki (Natalia's three children!). She looks for her tzarevitch in her dress and sandals in dark cold woods - and this refers to the shot of her on the first page of the article in the McQuinn's dress and heels. Curious point is that the Russian word chosen to describe this frozen tzarevitch is definitely a bit derogatory ("отморозок"). If I was to explain its meaning, I'd say it is somebody whose brains are frozen, not exactly a sharp and intelligent person. This completely raised my brows since before whenever Justin has been mentioned, there was always an acknowledgement of his intellect and bright persona. Curioser and curioser...

VOGUE CHINA JUNE 2011 Beijing Romance Natalia Vodianova & Zhao Lei by Peter Lindbergh scanned by Aja Mok via Tarsha (The Fashion Spot) I'm absolutely in love with this editorial. Beautiful colors, amazing images.

VogueRussia, June 2011 ANV

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. Yeah, I imagine that it must be some sort of cultural shock. Maybe he doesn't much understand Russian and finds the situation awkward. Maybe he didn't much like her friends from the past, or from her then present, because they belonged to "another world"... really, it's not uncommon for spouses. I don't know. Different can be a good thing, but there we go again, it's just something she says that needs some more comment and she simply doesn't elaborate. If she's happy and exclaims that she feels different, it's good. I can't read the text in full, but the way pautinka put it, I'm not sure, I got the idea that she said that in a glum sort of way. Only a Russian speaker can get the nuance.

See? Exactly my point! You cannot put a valence onto her words, it's just something there, in between the lines. But let's see: one year and a half goes all the way back to the end of 2009, beginning of 2010. By the end of 2009, Justin skipped Etam's fashion show. Natalia was alone then, and I found that rather odd, but - at that time - it meant nothing, because Justin was always with her. So what, if he misses one event or another? But then, the divorce rumors started (January 2010?). Justin made two more appearances and that was it. They both had plenty of occasions to confirm the separation - but, when confronted with the question, they both denied it. Justin was a little more positive in his answers, albeit a lot more sarcastic. I don't understand why don't they just do like other celebrities: make a joint statement, kill the curiosity and move on. The way it is now, with all these hints and innuendos, rumors, gossip, it's so much worse! And the fact that you blatantly deny something that you'll have to admit later on is a huge problem; it means that you have something to hide, which is honey for paparazzi. I don't know, there's something that doesn't fit in this story. I have to admit that the shocker was to read that, in the past, phone calls from Russia were not exactly welcomed in the household.

Hmm... so, why hasn't she confirmed the obvious yet, I wonder...? She is always dropping the hints, but never admits the separation. In fact, she goes all the way to deny it. Thanks, pautinka!

ANV Anyone, please!? I so wish to know how to read in Russian!

Harper's BazaarRU, June 2011 ANV

Fair enough. As I said, I don't smoke and I don't like people smoking around me either. But I'll go back to my point: even non-smokers buy that stuff. Concealers are used not necessarily by smokers only. I myself apply concealer and most my non-smoker female friends do, it's nothing out of the ordinary. I don't dispute the fact that smoking is bad for your skin; my only problem is with the idea that a non-smoker model wouldn't have need or want for those beauty essentials shown in Natalia's case. They're pretty regular products. And, yeah, again, I wish she gave up the cancer stick once for all.

I'm a non-smoker and I don't see what in her list could be necessarily crossed out if she didn't smoke. Supplements are taken even if you have a balanced diet, this is a personal choice. I take Omega-3, One a Day and Glucosamine. Moisturizers? Moisturizers have nothing to do with smoking or not smoking. Even if you don't smoke, it's a good idea to use one for your type of skin. I'm a fan of Lancôme's and Clinique's. I use moisturizers since I turned 15, on my doctor's advice, while treating acne too. I wish she gave up the cancer stick, too, but her essentials are pretty much the regular run of the mill for a woman her age.

So, her hair was indeed styled! Thanks, ariti! Loved to read the slides!

Thanks, meloni! I don't know how, but I'll have to buy this Vogue China issue. eBay, for sure. Now, I can't wait for the Tatler Russia editorial...

Thank you, ariti! I'm really, really in love with this editorial!

ANV According to WWD, "Belle du Seigneur" is due for September this year. Milling in the crowd, Natalia Vodianova, who plays the lead in ‘Belle du Seigneur,’ due for release in September, is keen to continue acting but said she’s not quite ready to move to the Hollywood Hills. ‘I will avoid it like the plague right now, as I have all my children settled in England,’ she said. :hell yea!: Hope so!!!

Thank you, guys! pautinka, you really have a keen eye.

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I'm following the ANV Facebook link streamline: Pictures of Natalia here: PurePeople PureTrend ModelCandids.com This last one is a series of HQs of Natalia's arrival in Nice. ETA: Vogue Italia

She looks amazing - such simple dress, yet so beautiful, modern and weightless. I really miss her times with CK campaign....

More pictures: ANV Facebook

ANV Facebook ETA: The same, without watermark... ANV Facebook

Murphy's Law for sure, sunshine06! RojasSalon Ricardo Rojas Spotted- Ricardo Rojas at the Cannes Film Festival working with Model Natalia Vodianova and Actress in Tree of Life, Jessica Chastain. (via Twitter) I'm curious now to see her!