Russian top models of the 30s

The models of the beginning of the last century were very different from the current ones — they were "talking". They presented the dress themselves, telling the clients of fashion houses about the models of clothing that they showed. Our beauties had no equal in this. All of Paris adored them. In this issue you will find the best pictures and stories from the book by A. Vasiliev "Beauty in exile".

Model Natalie Paley, Paris.

Princess Natalia Pavlovna Paley (known in the West as Natalie Paley) was a granddaughter of Emperor Alexander II, born in Paris.

In 1920, she left Soviet Russia with her mother and sister, and worked as a fashion model in Paris.

In 1927, Natalie married fashion designer Lucien Lelong, whom she divorced in 1937. Appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine.

Natalie Paley was the mistress of the German writer Erich Maria Remarque. In Remarque's novel Shadows in Paradise, the love story between the main characters resembles real events — the love story of Natalie Paley and the writer himself.

Model Zhenya de Castex, Paris, 1934.

Viscountess Zhenya de Castex charmed fashion designers with how elegant she looked in their outfits.

Born Gorlenko, Zhenya successfully married the Spanish ambassador and became the owner of a high-profile title.

Model Zhenya de Castex, Paris, 1936.

Lady Abdi, Paris. The irresistible fashion model Iya Grigoryevna Ge (married Lady Abdi) was also in demand among fashion designers. She married a terribly rich aristocrat, who after the divorce left her a huge fortune and a 20-carat diamond. Lady Abdi inspired artists and poets. One of her portraits was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A native of Slavyansk, Iya Ge (Lady Abdi) got her first job in Paris from the Callot sisters. Soon she captivated the whole of Paris and her husband, the aristocrat Robert Abdi. Her work with the famous Coco Chanel really made her famous.

Model Lyudmila Fedoseeva, Paris, 1937. She advertised the most striking models of dresses of the time.

Lyudmila Fedoseeva's fame was brought by the photos of photographer Horst P. Horst, made especially for Vogue. However, they were never published in the magazine itself.

Fashion model Lyudmila Fedoseeva, Paris, late 30s.

Lydia Zelenskaya, Paris, 1938. Our models decorated any outfit created by the couturier of that time. The fashion house "Chanel" gave them their dresses for publication and was advertised all over the world. Look at them. They are excellent!

Model Mary Eristova, Paris, 1929.

Anna Sten, Hollywood, 1932.

Model Ekaterina Bobrikova, Paris, 1937.

Model Thea Bobrikova, Paris, 1928.

Model Lydia Zelenskaya, Paris, 1928.

Model Nathalie Paley, Paris, 1937.