24/7 LiveNew York CityNew JerseyLong IslandNorthern SuburbsConnecticut

PHOTOS: 100 years of Russian beauty in a minute

Thursday, July 2, 2015
The 1910s look was modeled after a famous ballerina from the time, Anna Pavlova.
In the 1920s after the fall of the czar, natural beauty was praised, researcher Katherine McKeon explained.
Stalin's politics greatly influenced looks in the 1930s, McKeon said. Women avoided extravagence for fear of being judged.
The 1940s look was inspired by female fighter pilots who flew in World War II, McKeon said.
The 1940s look was inspired by female fighter pilots who flew in World War II, McKeon said.
Women were given more freedom to indvidualize their looks in the 1950s after the death of Stalin. Western culture also had a greater influence on the look of the day.
In the 1960s, Western influences lead to the celebration of feminity, McKeon said. These include longer hair, obvious makeup and big jewelry.
Even though the Cold War was going on, the U.S. and Russia continued to influence each other's popular culture, McKeon said, which in turn influenced popular looks of the day.
''They're still open to each other,'' McKeon said of the two countries' cultures during the Cold War. ''It's a really fascinating time.''
The 1990s saw a shift in looks mirroring a shift in identity, McKeon said, after the dismantling of the USSR.
The 2000s saw a much less natural look after a swift, extreme shift towards sexualization, McKeon explained.
The 2010s saw increased attention on feminist groups and LGBTQ groups. McKeon said, 'We saw over the decades that, in Russia, beauty is a form of power and self-affirmation.''
''Women protestors are also trying to gain that power and self-affirmation,'' McKeon said of protestors like performance group Pussy Riot.
1 of 13
The 1910s look was modeled after a famous ballerina from the time, Anna Pavlova.
Cut Video/YouTube
Report a correction or typo
Watch Live
ON NOW

Top Stories

AccuWeather: Pick of the week

Louisiana father kills 7 of his children, plus another child, in mass shooting at house, police say

Grandson of mob boss John Gotti sentenced on Long Island for COVID fraud

NYPD searching for father after baby girl in stroller abandoned in Times Square

1 still sought after high-speed chase with stolen purple Lamborghini in New Jersey

ABC7 New York
Topics
HomeWeatherTraffic7 On Your Side7 on Your Side InvestigatesLocalishShopWatch ABC 7 New YorkApps
Regions
New York CityNew JerseyLong IslandNorthern SuburbsConnecticut
More Content
New York LotteryNeighborhood Safety TrackerUS & World NewsPoliticsHealthSportsOur AmericaOn The Red CarpetPodcastsabc7NY En Español
Station Info
Submit a News TipEmploymentMeet the Eyewitness News TeamABC 7 In Your CommunityAbout ABC 7AccessibilityContests and Rules
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
Children's Privacy Policy
Your US State Privacy Rights
Terms of Use
Interest-Based Ads
Public Inspection File
FCC Applications
Copyright © 2026 ABC, Inc., WABC-TV New York. All Rights Reserved.