Natalia Vodianova

[Eos]

Natalia for Sochi Olympic Games

source : http://sochi2014.com

about the mascot :

“I hope the white tiger – a threatened species in need of our support – will become the Sochi 2014 mascot,” famed model Natalia Vodyanova said. “The Sochi Games are destined to become a major global event that will change public opinion on many issues, such as ecology and our attitude towards the natural world. My tiger would be majestic and gracious, not at all a toy-like animal. I’d ensure it borrows the Olympic Rings, just like the Moscow 1980 Olympic Bear – I was very fond of that.”

[ariti]

Natalia at Stella McCartney Fashion Night Out

[ariti]

more pics from the event

[ariti]

what a day

Natalia at Armani Fashion Night Out

[ariti]

more pics

[pautinka]

Wow, thank you!

Natalia shines. She really looks happy at this event which is a nice change, in my view.

[adolf000000]

I've watched her recent interview today. It's weird but I think she speaks English better than Russian. Obvious that it's pretty hard to her to "find" proper phrases to express her thoughts.

[cachet]

I've watched her recent interview today. It's weird but I think she speaks English better than Russian. Obvious that it's pretty hard to her to "find" proper phrases to express her thoughts.

Can that really happen? I mean, wasn't she born and raised in Russia for 18 years knowing only rudimentary English when she started. And to think she speaks English better than Russian now, it's weird, I agree. Because she certainly sounds very Russian when she speaks English. I mean, I'm a native English speaker, and even if I'm going to learn a new language like Spanish or German and speak it rampantly for the next 10 years, I won't forget or struggle with English.

Is it the same with other Russian models - Sasha, Vlada, Natasha et al? I don't think so...

Oh, and she really needs to stop mussing up her hair! I think she looks the best when she wears her hair straight, it lends a certain something to her face, making it look truly beautiful than just, idk, young.

[adolf000000]

I've watched her recent interview today. It's weird but I think she speaks English better than Russian. Obvious that it's pretty hard to her to "find" proper phrases to express her thoughts.

Can that really happen? I mean, wasn't she born and raised in Russia for 18 years knowing only rudimentary English when she started. And to think she speaks English better than Russian now, it's weird, I agree. Because she certainly sounds very Russian when she speaks English. I mean, I'm a native English speaker, and even if I'm going to learn a new language like Spanish or German and speak it rampantly for the next 10 years, I won't forget or struggle with English.

Is it the same with other Russian models - Sasha, Vlada, Natasha et al? I don't think so...

Oh, and she really needs to stop mussing up her hair! I think she looks the best when she wears her hair straight, it lends a certain something to her face, making it look truly beautiful than just, idk, young.

no,no.U didn't get my point. She is russian & her native language is Russian. I meant she speaks badly...Her

speach is quite

primitive. She thinks a lot before saying what she wants to say. She was bad at school & she didn't finish it. Though i like that she always seems so calm & kind.

[Eos]

from anv. She is so cute and radiant in these events, and I actually like her hair like that...

Could someone tell me how can I post pictures with a reduced size ?

I can't really judge the quality of her russian, as I am not russianspeaker. Forgetting (more or less) the mothertongue can happen, it's a psycholinguistic phenomenon called attrition. But I don't think it is what is happening to her ! She is in contact with Russia a lot. But I agree, she speaks very slowly, with a calm voice, maybe she doesn't want to say anything to journalists - and maybe she doesn't speak this way in private life .

I don't think the way she speaks is linked to her (non?) education. Some people with huge education will allways speak slowly, and some dumb people very fast....well I don't know.....and how do you know she was a bad pupil ? She had to work with her mother and then her friend, her situation was not ideal to be the best pupil. And I saw one day an interview of her english teacher in Nizhni Novgorod who said she was actually good and dynamic. Of course, I know, interviewed people will never say nasty things about her I think she also had a sort of education thanks to the influence of all the designers she was able to meet, and thanks to Justin.

[pautinka]

I totally agree with you, Eos! I believe she did mention in one of the interviews or articles, that she indeed was a bad student and yes, that was due to the fact that she was staying at home with her sister and working with mom. My opinion is that if she had a chance she'd ace in many classes (maybe not physics and math but many nevertheless!) These days it seems that whatever she does, she puts a lot of energy and concentration into it. Maybe she grew these habits later than majority of kids with stable families but she did! and did it so excellently. And yes, you are right, some credit should go to the people surrounding her - mainly Justin and his family, but most of the credit is hers as it is difficult to be self-educating in your 20s.

as for the language - it is totally possible to start forgetting your mother tongue. Heck, I have experienced that myself

[adolf000000]

I totally agree with you, Eos! I believe she did mention in one of the interviews or articles, that she indeed was a bad student and yes, that was due to the fact that she was staying at home with her sister and working with mom. My opinion is that if she had a chance she'd ace in many classes (maybe not physics and math but many nevertheless!) These days it seems that whatever she does, she puts a lot of energy and concentration into it. Maybe she grew these habits later than majority of kids with stable families but she did! and did it so excellently. And yes, you are right, some credit should go to the people surrounding her - mainly Justin and his family, but most of the credit is hers as it is difficult to be self-educating in your 20s.

as for the language - it is totally possible to start forgetting your mother tongue. Heck, I have experienced that myself

LOL, what are u talking about? You can forget native language if u left ur country when you were small, 3-11 years old. She left when she was 18 or about that. Or she has poor mamory. And it's not like she forgot her language,her speach is quite primitive. I finished linguistic university and i "kinda" know what i'm talking about. It's pretty hard for ME to express myself in English cause it's not my native language & my english sucks as you noticed. Anyway, Vodianova didn't forget the russian language,she simply can't "build"

correct sentences.

[Renyxa]

i have to agree with adolf; it's hard for me to hear Natalia speaking Russian too. however, as Eos said, she did a great job while learning English, what means that Natalia is smart at learning new material. i remember her mother talking in "Russian Cinderellas", and she didn't speak very well too; maybe Natalia took this manner of speech from her, who knows

[kat452]

more pics

totally glowing! thanks for posting!

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[adolf000000]

i have to agree with adolf; it's hard for me to hear Natalia speaking Russian too. however, as Eos said, she did a great job while learning English, what means that Natalia is smart at learning new material. i remember her mother talking in "Russian Cinderellas", and she didn't speak very well too; maybe Natalia took this manner of speech from her, who knows

Yes, especially in this video...She was 20. She looks&sounds like total russian chick from a small town. Is that me or her nose was bigger?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdTFHVIc9Oo

[Eos]

aah I like her a lot in this video, she is very different from now.

She looks so bored and at the same time, slightly contemptuous to me. 'I'm russian'.... russian pride lol.

[pautinka]

I totally agree with you, Eos! I believe she did mention in one of the interviews or articles, that she indeed was a bad student and yes, that was due to the fact that she was staying at home with her sister and working with mom. My opinion is that if she had a chance she'd ace in many classes (maybe not physics and math but many nevertheless!) These days it seems that whatever she does, she puts a lot of energy and concentration into it. Maybe she grew these habits later than majority of kids with stable families but she did! and did it so excellently. And yes, you are right, some credit should go to the people surrounding her - mainly Justin and his family, but most of the credit is hers as it is difficult to be self-educating in your 20s.

as for the language - it is totally possible to start forgetting your mother tongue. Heck, I have experienced that myself

LOL, what are u talking about? You can forget native language if u left ur country when you were small, 3-11 years old. She left when she was 18 or about that. Or she has poor mamory. And it's not like she forgot her language,her speach is quite primitive. I finished linguistic university and i "kinda" know what i'm talking about. It's pretty hard for ME to express myself in English cause it's not my native language & my english sucks as you noticed. Anyway, Vodianova didn't forget the russian language,she simply can't "build"

correct sentences.

well, as you seem to be an absolute expert in EVERYTHING, I will not argue with you. I only speak for myself. I immigrated to USA from Russia when I was 23 and for a number of years could not afford to have a phone line to speak with my family in Russia. I can tell you that when I went home for a visit I sounded "косноязычно, топорно" (could not "build' my sentences for sure) and I have graduated with a language degree in Russia as well and most of my family is in hard science. So this is an example from my personal experience. I have to admit I was seeking improving my English in any way I could and did not hang out with any russian people in the US. This is the reason why I see parallels with Natalia's situation (that she probably encounters many more situations where English is spoken). However, Russian did come back to me but through a substantial effort at first and then much easier. Salute!

[ariti]

look what i found!!!

Could someone translate please??

[pautinka]

look what i found!!!

Could someone translate please??

man, she is hilarious in this video and by the way she tells there why it's a bit awkward for her to explain herself in English! she is very sincere and touching, I think.