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In a Time of Media Hounds, Dasha Zhukova Goes Out of Her Way to Avoid Press

fashionologie — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:58:36 PDT

>> Head not brimming with quotes and opinions from Pop editor Dasha Zhukova? The New Yorker's Sept. 27 issue profiles woman-of-few-words Zhukova and explores her relationship with Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich, which blossomed while Abramovich was still married to his second wife with whom he had five children (although at the time, Abramovich's spokesman called Zhukova nothing more than "a family friend").

Since, The New Yorker's Julia Ioffe writes, "The pair" - who have a 9-month-old son together - "has kept a low profile. Abramovich, notoriously press-shy, has found a good partner in Zhukova. She will not discuss how they met, or even if they are married. In public, the couple barely interact, floating past each other without words or eye contact. Her press corps rivals his in obstructiveness and obfuscation. She gives few interviews, and when she does, her answers are studies in evasion. When I asked her about her recent art acquisitions - since becoming involved with Zhukova, Abramovich is said to have spent record amounts on paintings by Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon - her airy Southern California drawl turned to lead. 'I don't really talk about the collecting,' she said, and then, as if by way of explanation, added, 'it's something that's quite personal and doesn't involve just me.'"

Ioffe continues: "It's tempting to suppose that such vagueness betrays a neophyte's lack of confidence, and a wariness about being portrayed as a rich dilettante. But Zhukova's almost virtuosic uncommunicativeness seems to apply to all areas of her life, and her infinite unquotability has earned her a kind of fame among journalists. At a fashion show, a reporter for Women's Wear Daily asked her what she thought of the clothes. Zhukova responded, 'I liked them, but that's off the record.'"

While at a June art opening Zhukova was hosting at her Garage Center for Contemporary Culture in Moscow, Ioffe notes: "Periodically, she collapsed on the gray couches, looking like a sullen child, and searched her purse for a pack of cigarettes. (Abramovich disapproves of the habit, and Zhukova denies that she smokes.) She was tired of having a reporter follow her around all day. 'Do you always have to have that tape recorder out?' she asked. She developed a makeshift way of going off the record, covering her mouth and whispering to her friends." And: "At one point in the evening, I came across Abramovich as he wandered into the room with the MOMA exhibit. He walked slowly around, chewing on gum and staring blankly at the works. When I approached him and mentioned that I was writing about Zhukova, she leaped up from a nearby sofa and sprinted over on six-inch Louboutin heels. 'Can I talk to you for a minute?' she said to Abramovich, in Russian, and, grabbing him by the arm, led him quickly across the room and out the door."

"Ultimately," Ioffe concludes, "Perhaps Zhukova doesn't speak much because she understands that her money and connections speak for themselves."

First POP Cover Under Dasha Zhukova Leaks; Zhukova May Be Pregnant

fashionologie — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:42:09 PDT

UPDATE: The cover has been removed.

>> The first POP cover under Dasha Zhukova for Fall/Winter 2009, featuring 13-year-old blogger Tavi from Style Rookie in artwork by Damien Hirst, is said to be the image at right. Hirst's participation marks Dasha's push to make the magazine reach further than just the fashion world as it had primarily in the past; her goal when first appointed editor in February was to "provide a broader point of view focusing also on art, contemporary culture and the globalisation of all things pop-related."

We've had a blurry peak at one of the magazine's editorials inside; the cover also boasts a contribution by Juergen Teller, a M/M Paris "bookzine," a 25-year tribute to Naomi Campbell, and "a stem-cell research celebration by Rodarte." If Tavi is indeed on the cover, it's worth noting that a couple of weeks ago, a preview from LOVE's upcoming issue circulated featuring Tavi - ironic that her first two major magazine appearances happen to be in Katie Grand's former magazine (POP), and her current magazine (LOVE).

On a more personal front: last month, Dasha Zhukova's relationship with billionaire Roman Abramovich was said to be over, and now she's being surrounded by pregnancy rumors.

Dasha Zhukova Rumored to Be Launching a New Magazine

fashionologie — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:02:59 PDT

>> Since resigning as editor of POP last November, Dasha Zhukova's new endeavors have been primarily art focused. The day after she resigned, it was announced that Zhukova had invested in and was expected to be active in the business of online startup Art.sy, which aims to be a "Pandora for art," recommending pieces to potential buyers based on their taste.

And a couple of weeks ago, it was confirmed that "in a gesture designed to please" Zhukova, her partner Roman Abramovich will finance a state-of-the-art modern art gallery in Moscow's Gorky Park, part of a £1.25 billion ($2.04 billion) makeover of the location which will also include a London Eye-style Ferris wheel. The forthcoming gallery is expected to be curated and run by Zhukova, who also confirmed that she plans to move her Moscow-based Garage Centre for Contemporary Culture to Gorky Park after the renovations are complete.

Now, rumors are circulating that Zhukova plans to return to print. The Imagist reports: "Have you caught that whisper of a hiss that suggests that post-POP, the world's most glamorous art maven, Dasha Zhukova, is summoning her very own culture mag ? . . . We heard the suspected name, which makes perfect branding sense...But who's designing? Who's shooting for? London based? Paris? Moscow? Art driven or is [it] a fashion frenzy?"

Baby Boys for Both Dasha Zhukova, Gisele Bundchen

fashionologie — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:39:04 PST

>> Both Dasha Zhukova and Gisele Bundchen have given birth to baby boys. Details on the where, the when, and the name of Gisele's son have not yet been disclosed - her husband Tom Brady, upon confirming the birth this morning, said they hadn't yet picked a name. Perhaps that's because, as he explained earlier this month, the baby's sex was a surprise for Gisele: "I wanted to find out and she didn’t, so she said, 'Go ahead.' It will be a surprise for her."

Dasha also gave birth to a son, Aaron Alexander Abramovich, last Thursday - her first and boyfriend Roman Abramovich's sixth. Roman is said to have been by her side, and according to a source, "Dasha grew up in Los Angeles and wanted to give birth there."
*image: bauer-griffin

fashionologie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:55:04 PDT

>> Dasha Zhukova Is Pregnant -Rumors hit yesterday that despite talk of relationship strife, POP editor Dasha Zhukova is pregnant by boyfriend of three years, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Today, the news is confirmed: Zhukova is said to be almost six months along and found out after a vacation to the Caribbean. Abramovich, who was last seen out in public with Dasha over the weekend when they attended a U2 Concert and soccer game in London, apparently told close friends and family last month; friends say the baby will be born in Moscow. [Page Six, The Sun, Daily Mail]

Dasha Zhukova on POP: "It’s Not Like This Is the First Time There’s Been a New Editor at a Magazine"

fashionologie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:22:57 PDT

>> Dasha Zhukova's appointment as editor of POP in February came as a surprise to many; it also came with a bit of drama, partly because she was taking over a magazine so aligned with Katie Grand's name, and partly because, to many, she didn't have much editorial experience. As the reveal date for the first issue under her helm approaches - Sept. 1 - Dasha, who is rumored to have recently parted with beau Roman Abramovich, sets the record straight in the August 2009 issue of Interview. In fact, she says, "I feel like anything I’ve ever done, I’ve been strongly advised not to do."

She's not trying to ride in on Katie Grand's coattails.

I respect Katie Grand, and I hope I can retain some respect for the brand. But I have other plans for the magazine now. And, come on, it’s not like this is the first time there’s been a new editor at a magazine.

Actually, she was opposed to taking the job at first.

My initial reaction was, “No way. I don’t want this.”

But "it would be stupid not to at least entertain the idea" »

fashionologie — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:00:04 PDT

>> Dasha Zhukova May Be Minus A Billionaire -As she readies for the relaunch of POP Sept. 1, editor Dasha Zhukova may have a little extra time on her hands. Rumors are flying around Moscow that she and billionaire boyfriend Roman Abramovich are no longer an item after disagreeing about a proposed pre-nuptial agreement, but his camp is remaining silent on the subject. [Chic Report]