Why did the husbands of Soviet fashion models hide who their wives work for
'15.09.2019'
Source: Rambler
No wonder the character, played by Andrei Mironov in The Diamond Arm, works on the podium - this should show the lowest degree of his moral decline. The profession of fashion models in the Soviet Union was not prestigious, barely fit into the moral principles and foundations of a socialist society. And when a man worked as a fashion model ... We offer a little glimpse into the backstage of the “beautiful business”.
Low rank
Strictly speaking, a mannequin is an unofficial, popular name associated with neglect and reduction to the level of a living mannequin, writes Rambler.
Officially, the profession was called the "clothing demonstrator", equated to the lowest categories of working professions. In the 60-70 years, the salary was about 76 rubles per month, at the level of a cleaner (she received 80 rubles at the factory, in administrative premises from 60 to 70 rubles).
The profession did not enjoy prestige, the magazine "Worker", for example, wrote materials condemning the moral appearance of fashion models. Nikita Mikhalkov, having married a fashion model, said for a long time that his wife was a translator.
In the USSR, the emergence of the profession of fashion historian Alexander Vasilyev dates back to the 40 years, but the heyday came in the 60-80 years. It is interesting that for a long time illustrations in Soviet fashion magazines were drawn and model services were not required. In fact, the demonstration of clothes on the catwalk was almost the only occupation of Soviet fashion models.
In the USSR there were Fashion houses and Model houses. The former are privileged tailoring companies for individual tailoring, the latter are the place of work of fashion designers and fashion models, and their task was to create and display, in the modern language of ready-to-wear, things that will be mass produced. Sizes of models from 44 to 48, no "90-60-90". As well as beauty contests or attractive contracts with foreign couturiers and magazines.
The model’s working day could last 8 - 10 hours, without paying overtime. There were work books, there was an experience. But there was no trade union or creative union. Demonstrated fashion models and underwear - at closed shows for workers in sewing enterprises.
At the same time, the average man who saw only the outer bright side of the work of fashion models had the impression of their easy life and no less easy behavior. Nevertheless, many Soviet women secretly envied fashion models - they wear beautiful clothes, rotate in higher circles, and even get money for it!
On the subject: Soviet Sophia Loren: how the main fashion model of the USSR turned into a cleaner and reduced her life
Broken Fate
Tatyana Mikhalkova, nee Shigaeva - one of the few Soviet fashion models, whose fate was successful and successful. Biographies of the first beauties of the Soviet Union are much more tragic.
Regina Zbarskaya became a world celebrity in the early 60's, worked with Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior. Her name was shrouded in secrets and rumors. For example, it is not known exactly where she was born and who her parents are. They said that she works for the KGB or, conversely, for Yugoslav intelligence.
She was credited with stunning novels. Zbarskaya’s personal life did not work out, she tried several times to commit suicide, lost her job as a fashion model and began to work as a cleaner in the model house. As a result, she committed suicide on November 15 1987 of the year. Regina managed to visit a mental hospital.
The personal life of Valentina Yashina did not work out, her career also. She was called the domestic Greta Garbo, the face of the era and one of the most beautiful models of the USSR. Yashin died in poverty and loneliness.
Galina Milovskaya was the first to star for Vogue and one of the pictures, reprinted by America magazine, was the beginning of the end of her career. In the photo, Milovskaya sits on the cobblestones of Red Square, legs apart, with her back to the Mausoleum! A scandal erupted. After showing the collection of swimwear, Milovskaya was expelled from the Shchukinsky school.
The scandals continued and the authorities advised Milovskaya to emigrate, which she did in 1974. At first she enjoyed success, including because of the fame of a fighter with the Soviet regime. But the hype quickly subsided and Milovskaya changed her profession, becoming a documentary.
