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. Natalia Vodianova More Quotes by Natalia Vodianova More Quotes From Natalia Vodianova It's better to be skinny than to be fat. Natalia Vodianova fats skinny 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. Natalia Vodianova lonely loneliness children 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. Natalia Vodianova fake saint white 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. Natalia Vodianova family-and-friends purpose giving My appearance gave me access to a particular kind of world and I'm really grateful for it. Natalia Vodianova grateful kind world 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. Natalia Vodianova teenager men war 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. Natalia Vodianova fake girl eye Keeping up with everything I do requires some sacrifices, but once and a while I need to take some time to myself. Natalia Vodianova sacrifice needs 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. Natalia Vodianova family-and-friends russia towns 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. Natalia Vodianova makeup proud use 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. Natalia Vodianova always-working knows people 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. Natalia Vodianova makeup fighting men Writing down goals makes you think of what is achievable. It really makes you reflect on what you are today. Natalia Vodianova goal writing thinking 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.' Natalia Vodianova regret stupid beautiful If you never know hardship, you can't really support people around you. Natalia Vodianova hardship support people I completely admire my mother for raising a child with cerebral palsy at home. Natalia Vodianova mother home children 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. Natalia Vodianova hometown faces people Moscow is a huge inspiration for me. I love what I find here, I love being here. Natalia Vodianova moscow inspiration love-is 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. Natalia Vodianova ambitious talent way My childhood gave me resilience - and there's little that can surprise me in life. Natalia Vodianova resilience childhood littles
