Masha Tsigal: Moscow’s 1990s it-girl on how war has changed fashion in Russia
-
Loading... - Natalia Bessonov
- 12 Apr 2023
- 64 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Masha Tsigal was a member of the original crowd that brought dance music culture to Russia. Voted one of the six coolest people in Russian then she became a leading avant garde fashion designer who apprenticed with Vivienne Westwood in London. / bne IntelliNews
Decades on from Russia’s wild 1990s, the country’s cultural landscape continues to be largely shaped by the enduring influence of the giants that hogged the limelight in the shadow of the former Soviet Union.
In Moscow’s bars, Russians dance through the night to popular hits by Grigory Leps, Ruki Vverkh and Philipp Kirkorov. Meanwhile, the city's cinemas offer the latest blockbusters directed by directors Nikita Mikhalkov and Nikolai Lebedev, featuring actors like Vladimir Mashkov and Igor Vernik. This scene could be taken directly from the late 1990s, but is still a perfect description of 2023.
But despite these similarities, today’s Moscow is not the same as it was 30 years ago. Years removed from shock therapy and the hope of riches from capitalism, Russia is now embroiled in a war with Ukraine. Many of the country's wealthiest citizens have left, along with numerous Western investors who arrived in the burgeoning 1990s.
However, despite the war and its myriad of challenges, for many Russians life continues as normal. Even Moscow's elite socialites and celebrities can be found enjoying the city's upscale bars, restaurants and nightclubs – many of which rival those found in Western metropolises such as London or New York. The capital boasts an impressive array of dining and entertainment options that cater to the discerning tastes of its sophisticated patrons, despite the country's turbulent political climate. Read More…
