Evolution of ‘Russian Beauty’: 1930s and 2010s

Russian ladies are often considered as one of the most beautiful women in the world. Kind, gentle and charming they are a dream for men from different countries. We decided to take a ‘journey’ to the past and compare the photos of “Miss Russia” Beauty Contest winners from the 1930s and the 2010s. Let’s see how beauty standards changed over the past 80 years.

By Anastasia Fistashka

         1930 – Irina Ventzel                 2010 – Irina Antonenko

“Miss Russia” is Russia’s national beauty pageant which was held for the first time in 1927 in Paris. The French capital became an ideal place to host the contest: about 200,000 Russian immigrants were living there at the time. The organization of such a contest in the USSR was impossible.

During its early days, a beauty contest was a very respectable event “with an atmosphere of perfect morality.” The candidates displayed ordinary urban suits and demonstrated their coats or hats in the final round on a catwalk.

1931 – Marina Shalyapina

2011 – Nathalia Gantimurova

The demonstration of bathing suits was prohibited. Moral qualities of candidates played the main role back then.

The competition was held in several rounds. First, the jury asked young women to walk on the podium together. Then, every contestant was called separately to discuss various topics without any templates prepared in advance.

     1932 – Nina Paul                    2012 – Elizaveta Golovanova

The jury then thoroughly discussed the merits of each contestant and assessed them based on three parameters: the beauty of contestants’ facial features, their bodies and the overall impression they gave out. The sum of these points resulted in a final decision.

During and after World War II, “Miss Russia” pageant and other beauty contests were suspended. The competition was only revived in 1989 and has been held in Moscow since then.

Nowadays, “Miss Russia” has acquired the global scale of recognition. The pageant has exclusive rights to represent Russia in major international beauty contests – “Miss World” and “Miss Universe.”

1933 – Tatyana Maslova      2013 – Elmira Abdrazakova

The selection and training process of contestants has also become more sophisticated. Every year, 50 finalists come to Moscow a month before the competition to actively prepare for the main event.

Unlike in the 1930s, young women go through meticulous training, follow special diet plans and strict schedule. Girls attend fashion lessons, public-speaking and acting classes, as well as rigorous fitness training.

1934 – Ekaterina Antonova     2014 – Yulia Alipova

During the first round of the pageant all contestants walk on the podium wearing cocktail dresses. The jury then selects top 20 for the semi-finale. The young women, selected for further competition, go back to the podium wearing swimsuits, showing off their bodies. After that the jury announces the names of 10 finalists who compete in the evening gown competition and answer questions of a show moderator.

1936 – A. Gedeonova

2015 – Sofia Nikitchuk

When interviews with contestants are over, the jury make their final choice and announce the winner of a contest, as well as the 1^st and the 2^nd Vice Misses.

Winners of the competition usually get expensive rewards. Thus, Miss Russia 2015 – Sofia Nikitchuk – received a bank card for 3 million rubles (€48,000) and new Hyundai Solaris car. The 1^st and the 2^nd Vice Misses received grants to the study in any country of their choice.

#beauty standards#Miss Russia#pageant#Russian women