Stereotype of a Russian Woman

American Vogue Breaks the Stereotype of a Russian Woman

Russian Burda Mode

For more than 15 years I have been trying to break the stereotype of Russian women – “poor submissive housewives, who wear nothing but babushkas and are interested in nothing but marrying out to the westerners.” So, one can realize how refreshing it was to finally have one of the leading fashion magazines, such as Vogue, cover more than just cultural aspects of Russia – but cover the Russian fashionistas and the women’s fashion interests and tastes in Russia.

Russian women have been always sensual and attentive to fashion trends, which became evident after the iron wall has come down and the western designers were allowed to enter the market. Even with the lack of the resources, the little that has been available from the Eastern European countries, Russian women were quick to adopt the latest fashion trends, be it a dress cut featured in Burda Mode (German fashion magazine) or a hairstyle from the “Funny Girl”, shown on big screens 15 years later after its release in USA. Vogue’s article “Cold Case,” by Lynn Yaeger, only proves that there is more to Russian women and Russian sense of fashion than babushkas. (By the way, babushka means “grandmother” in Russian; neither a scarf, nor a fashion style.) Lynn Yaeger allows to see beyond the “frozen” images of Russia of 1980s, it gives a light on the present day with all the glitter that is true to the present day, without exaggeration.

Besides serving as inspiration to such designers as Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana and Coco Channel, Russia has been becoming known for more than just fur and diamonds and cold winters. It’s a raw market for fashion! I thank Yaeger for, once again, breaking the stereotypes for those who still see Russia as one long line to McDonalds!

The Women of Russia

- Alisa Krutovsky
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