It was the end of January 2008 when Heath Ledger died, and now, for the first time, Michelle Williams is opening up to Sally Singer in Vogue's October issue about dealing with the death of her daughter's father and moving forward.

"You console yourself by saying it's all a deepening process. But it's weird. After the first year, the pain is less intense; it's less immediate. But the magical thinking goes away, too," Williams tells Singer. "And that's a whole new reckoning. But every time I really miss him and wonder where he's gone, I just look at her [Matilda]."

The article follows Williams to both of her homes in Brooklyn and upstate New York, where she says she sought refuge from the paparazzi and was comforted by neighbors and their children and picked up gardening, which has been therapeutic.

She also goes on to talk about her recent breakup with "Where The Wild Things Are" director Spike Jonze, her boyish style (she only owns one pair of heels, Louboutins) and how she's striving to make Matilda's life as normal as possible.

An accompanying photospread shot by Mario Testino and styled by Tonne Goodman finds a pixie-haired Williams in semi-Mod, polished get-ups courtesy of a metallic minishift by Miu Miu, smart jackets by Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriguez, a sparkly frock by Blumarine and a ladylike suit by Oscar de la Renta (with relaxed Roger Vivier flats throughout).

To read more of Williams' revealing interview and see her adorable fashion spread, head over to Vogue.com. Or pick up the October issue on newsstands today.

For more information on past Vogue cover girls, click here.