Not Just A Pretty Place

Former Miss Universe turned entrepreneur Natalie Glebova lives with purpose—and this is reflected in the way she moves through and uses her Bangkok living space

- Nicky Short

Steps from the heart of Bangkok’s uber-trendy Thonglor neighbourhood and down a quiet leafy soi, a shrub-lined, cobblestone courtyard complete with fountains leads to the foyer of the residence of Natalie Glebova. The beauty queen turned influencer and entrepreneur stands on the black and white chequered tiles, artfully matching the building’s cream cladding in an off-white dress and heels, with a smile that outshines even her dazzling earrings. Hers is a face so recognisable in Thailand—her adopted home since winning Miss Universe here in 2005—thanks to a jam-packed career of modelling, acting, hosting and DJ-ing. Today, the Russian-Canadian is ubiquitous and synonymous with poise and style.

In the vintage wood-panelled elevator of her glamorous French-inspired apartment building, Natalie confides how her mum was especially taken with the property: “She said she felt it was so regal, like I would be some kind of princess in a palace.” Natalie, though, chose it for a more down-to-earth reason. “I was looking for a lowrise building,” she says, “I don’t like to be in a box in the sky; I like to be grounded.” She adds later that it was also important for her to be close to her local skytrain station: a distinct advantage in steamy Bangkok.

Stepping inside her apartment, it’s quite striking how this apparent appreciation for the practical is reflected in her living space. It is elegant, certainly, in bold monochrome accented by the bright red pops of the table runner and the big modular sofa, but not over-the-top or flashy.