Valentina Zelyaeva was born on October 11, 1982, in Moscow, Russia. Her modeling career began when she was in high school. She was signed up by a modeling agency was sent to a modeling school.
It was discovered soon that young Valentina had a natural flair for modeling.
Her first step towards professional modeling was taken in September 2003 when she debuted for designer Cynthia Steffe. After that, she began appearing in advertises for companies like Neiman Marcus and Cole Haan.
She also appeared on the covers of magazines like Harpers & Queen and Glamour (Italy). Following this buzz, Valentina was signed up by Ralph Lauren. She opened the Ralph Lauren Show in New York in 2005 and appeared in a promotion for Calvin
Klein Jeans.
As Ralph Lauren's exclusive model, Valentina Zelyaeva became a regular in the fall shows. She also walked the ramp as the opening model at Lauren's 40th anniversary show in September, 2007.
During this time, she also appeared in magazines like Vogue, W and Elle. In April 2008, she appeared in a photo shoot by the famous model Helena Christensen for Vogue magazine in Spain.
Why is she famous?
Valentina Zelyaeva is famous as a rising model who has featured on a number of magazines and worked with famous designers like Ralph Lauren.
Here is one of her famous quotes:
"I think it's discrimination (to ban underweight models). 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'."
- Valentina Zelyaeva