Valentina Zelyaeva, model

Valentina Zelyaeva is one of the brightest representatives of the classic Slavic beauty on the catwalk.
Ralph Lauren’s future favorite model was born on October 11, 1982, in Siberian city Ulan-Ude into a military family. Pretty Valentina was the second daughter in the family – she has an older sister. From Ulan-Ude, the family moved to Nizhny Novgorod, then to St. Petersburg, and some time later to Moscow.
By the way, her modeling career began in Moscow. It happened by accident. An agent, who invited her to Japan, gave Valentina “winning ticket”. At first her family thought it was just a hobby, as Zelyaeva set other goals for herself.
Charming girl had worked in Japan for two years and decided to be a professional model. And in 2004 she walked for Cynthia Steffe. Her classic beauty attracted designers and Valya demonstrated clothes of such brands as Barbara Bui, Sonia Rykiel, Calvin Klein, Valentino. Later, in 2005 the number of shows, where she participated, was more than 50 per season! Among them were Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Valentino.
Beautiful Valentina became popular.

Russian model has appeared on the cover of Spanish, Chinese, Greek, and Mexican editions of Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. In addition, Valentina has been featured in print advertisements for Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren.
Moreover, she was invited to be a model for the legendary erotic calendar Pirelli, where another Russian model Eugenia Volodina was shot together with Valentina. The photographer was Patrick Demarchelier.
You know, in 2007, Zelyaeva took the 10th place in the list of the highest paid models according to Forbes.
Now Valentina is the face of the American designer Ralph Lauren’s fashion house.
In advertising of perfume Romance by Ralph Lauren Valentina co-starred with her fiance Luis Borges. “A couple in love is the best advertising” – decided Ralph Lauren, when saw them together.
On the controversial issue of banning underweight models from Milan Fashion Week, Zelyaeva said, “I think it’s discrimination. We are skinny, this is our work. There are lots of overweight people working in offices, but I’m not going to say, ‘This girl is fat, she can’t work in an office’.”
Now the model lives in New York City, in the prestigious Manhattan. One of her best friends is another Russian top model Natasha Poly.
“I usually start my day with a glass of warm water with fresh squeezed lemon juice. For breakfast, I drink a glass of juice. Mostly fruits, vegetables and sometimes fish are on my daily menu. Actually, I do not eat dairy products, except the yogurt and cheese”.
“If you are looking for a “super food” that can be used as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, lip balm, natural antibiotic for gum disease and be also edible, you must know – it exists! This is coconut oil”.
Her official site: valentinazelyaeva.ru