Natalia Vodianova

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

“כילדה באמת לא אהבתי גברים בכלל.”

“מוסקבה היא השראה ענקית עבורי. אני אוהבת את מה שאני מוצאת כאן, אני אוהבת להיות כאן.”

“לגלות שאני יפה הייתה הבנה נחמדה מאוד.”

“המראה שלי העניק לי גישה לסוג מסוים של עולם ואני באמת אסירת תודה על כך.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“I believe in reincarnation of the soul.”

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

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

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

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