By ASHOK SOMAN

Supermodel Natalia Vodianova was in her native Russia, in Yekaterinburg to help launch Louis Vuitton’s fourth store in the country. While the setting was haute couture, the spirit was philanthropy as the famed malletier announced its support for Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to providing a safe and conducive environment to play for every child in urban Russia.

Vodianova says she was inspired to start the foundation by the Beslan tragedy and by her own experiences growing up poor in Russia. Louis Vuitton is playing its part in the foundation’s efforts by funding the construction of playgrounds in Russia, including a new garden in Yekaterinburg.

Louis Vuitton