Russian women’s home’s Weblog

The modelling business, like no other business, has a Russian face. In more ways than one, the beauty of Russian women has conquered the world.

Beauty in Exile

The world’s first models appeared at fashion boutiques in the late 19th century. The owners of these shops started inviting pretty, well mannered girls to demonstrate the latest fashions to rich patrons. A fashion model at that time was not a walking doll: she had to communicate with visitors, telling them (oftentimes in several languages) about the apparel that she was displaying.

In the early 20th century, Russian aristocratic women who became emigrés – the princesses, baronesses and countesses who found themselves in dire straits and had to make a living – set a new standard. Strikingly beautiful and well educated, they were in great demand in Europe’s most famous fashion houses. By 1930, about one-third of Paris models were Russian.

Read more