Many a media outlet is quick to point out the “dark side” of the fashion industry; even the fashion glossies themselves are often rife with tales of scandal, infighting, peer pressure, and general cattiness.  But what about the feel-good fashion stories, the ones that captivate us and keep us watching?  That is where Natalia Vodianova comes in.

Vodianova was born in Russia, where she lived a bare-bones existence and helped support her family by selling fruit.  By her mid-teens, though, she was off the New York, Paris, and Milan to walk in all the biggest shows.  Soon, she married a British aristocrat, started a family, and became the longtime face of Calvin Klein - a true fashion fairytale.

The supermodel’s fantastic backstory and fragile beauty have gained her so much attention that it is easy to forget another of her best attributes: her ultra-chic fashion sense.  In recent years it seemed like she’d worn all Calvin, all the time, but now that her contract with the venerable house is over she’s been branching out in designers from Valentino (above) to Dior (below) and expressing a new, more feminine side to her style personality.

Follow Natalia’s lead and build a glamorous, whimsical, and very modern wardrobe for 2008.  Update a classic white Calvin Klein sheath with a girlish silver trim or try a sparkling Betsey Johnson aubergine v-neck.  For daytime, go for a demure violet blouse by Tibi.

 

Posted on December 29th, 2007 by ashley