The 9 All-Time Most Successful Russian Fashion Models

Last Updated on September 11, 2023 by Chase Reiner

Here, we will take a look at ten of the all-time most successful Russian fashion models who have had an impact on society as well as their homeland!

1. Natalia Vodianova
2. Irina Shayk
3. Oksana Chusovitina
4. Dasha Zhukova 
5. Natalia Osipova 
6. Maria Sharapova
7. Anya Ziourova
8. Anna Selezneva
9. Kristina Romanovskaya

9 All-Time Most Successful Russian Fashion Models

Natalia Vodianova

Natalia Vodianova is a successful model who also happens to be the wife of billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Timur Sevinc. She has walked for many notable fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Versace, Valentino Garavani, and Jean-Paul Gaultier among others. Some high-profile modeling gigs that she has done include working on projects with Louis Vuitton where she was their first-ever spokesmodel from Russia. This star also had her own lingerie line called “Nata Lux” which was sold in over 20 countries around the world!

One major accomplishment that Natalia is very proud of is being an Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme since 1999. When this beautiful woman isn’t strutting her stuff on the runway, she is making sure that less fortunate people have enough to eat.

She’s also worked as a journalist and TV presenter for shows such as “The First Tango in Moscow” which was aired by France Television, following Russian performers like Igor Talkov around Parisian nightclubs during the time of Perestroika. The show had great success all over Europe with an audience of more than 15 million viewers!

Irina Shayk

Irina Shayk is another top model who hails from Russia. She was discovered by a modeling scout at the age of 14, participating in a fashion show for “Children’s World” in Moscow. From there she signed with Elite Model Management and has since gone on to book major campaigns such as Coca-Cola, L’Oreal, Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply, and many more high-profile clients that are now household names. The list goes on but you get the gist! Irina also walked down some of the world’s most prestigious catwalks including Dolce & Gabbana (2012), Chanel (2011), and Versace (2009). Not bad company right?

She made her debut on America’s Next Top Model as a guest judge in what would be the last season of the show.

She has also released her own line of lingerie called “IRINA by Irina Shayk” and is featured on billboards across Russia, Turkey, and Brazil.

Oksana Chusovitina

Oksana Chusovitina is one of the most successful and famous in Russia. She won six Olympic medals in gymnastics for her country, three golds, two silvers, and a bronze – an achievement that has never been matched by any other female gymnast from any nation to date!

Oksana competed at five consecutive Olympics (1992-2008) and still holds numerous world records as well as eight World Championships titles on individual apparatus.

Dasha Zhukova

Dasha is a Russian model, philanthropist, and art collector. She rose to prominence after marrying billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2008, with whom she has four children.

She founded the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow (2004) and was co-owner of PINCHUK Art Foundation from 2005 until its termination in 2015 following her separation from Mr Abramovich; she remains on the board of directors.

Since 2013 Dasha has held an honorary degree at University College London for “her significant contribution to cultural understanding across social boundaries.”

In 2016 Zhukova became Director General of Russia’s MAXXI – National Museum of Arts of XXI Century Arts Foundation and also serves as director-general for the CCCA Contemporary Arts Centre located in Moscow.

Zhukova can speak three languages: Russian, English and French

Dasha Zhukova was born on 16 June 1982 in Moscow to a family of architects from Ukraine with an interest in literature. She is the daughter of Elena Gorbacheva (a professor at Moscow State Institute for International Relations) and Andrei Zhukov, former chief architect of Kyiv. Her maternal grandfather is Sergei Vladimirovich Pushkin – son of Nobel Prize-winning poet Alexander Pushkin who wrote “Eugene Onegin” and father to 13 children including four writers Marina Tsvetaeva, Boris Pasternak, Yelena Akhtiorskaya, and Vladimir Sholokhov.

Natalia Osipova

Natalia Osipova, a Russian ballerina and principal dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, is one of Russia’s most celebrated dancers. She was born on April 26 1989 in Moscow to Elena Bondarenko (a former prima ballerina) with Sergei Vladimirovich Pushkin – son of Nobel Prize-winning poet Alexander Pushkin who wrote “Eugene Onegin” and father to 13 children including four writers Marina Tsvetaeva, Boris Pasternak, Yelena Akhtiorskaya and Vladimir Sholokhov.

Natalia started training in ballet when she was three years old after her parents noticed that she liked climbing onto tables as if performing an imaginary dance routine.

During her teens, Natalia attended the Moscow Choreographic School and later won a place at Russia’s leading ballet school, Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow.

Natalia graduated from the academy in 2006 as one of its youngest graduates to receive this achievement.

In 2007 she was invited by artistic director Vladimir Vasiliev to join Mariinsky Theatre where she became a principal dancer in 2011 and continued rapidly advancing through the ranks becoming prima ballerina (leading female soloist) only four years after joining.? She has been awarded for her work many prestigious prizes including the People’s Artist of Russia Award which is comparable to an Oscar Award for actors or musicians.

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a world-renowned tennis player and fashion icon.

Sharapova was born to Russian parents in Nyagan, Siberia on April 19, 1987.? She began playing tennis when she was just four years old and by the age of nine had become the youngest ever girl since 1975 to win an international tournament (the 1995 Canadian Open) as well as becoming Russia’s national champion for 12 consecutive years from 1996-2008.

Her professional career really began with her 2004 French Open victory at 17 years old where she defeated Serena Williams who then held five Grand Slam titles including two Wimbledons. The next year Sharapova won Wimbledon over defending champion Justine Henin, making history as only one of six players to win the Wimbledon title a year after winning it.

Sharapova’s success was not limited just to tennis as she also became a fashion icon and spokesperson for many brands including Nike, Avon Products, Braun, Canon Inc., Motorola, and Evian.?

In 2006 her likeness was even used in an advertisement campaign by Samsung? and Starbucks Coffee Company which aired during the Beijing Olympics.

Sharapova helped introduce the luxury eyewear brand Safilo Group SpA at its flagship store on Rome’s Spanish Steps in 2007.

She has appeared six times on Forbes magazine’s annual list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women from 2005-2011. Sharapova is currently ranked #115 among female athletes according to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour.

Anya Ziourova

Anya Ziourova is a Russian fashion model who has been in the industry since 1992. She started her career working for such brands as Roberto Cavalli, Calvin Klein, and Giorgio Armani, among others.?

She became an international runway star when she walked her very first show at Milan Fashion Week during the 1997-1998 season which was held by Valentino Garavani. Ziourova’s signature look includes platinum blonde hair and fair skin complexion with freckles on her face to give it that “Russian doll” appearance.

The success of this young lady from St Petersburg can be attributed not only to being one of the most successful models ever but also because she has managed to break away from stereotypes about Eastern European countries.

Anna Selezneva

Anna Selezneva is an international top model who was a finalist in the 2006 Miss Russia pageant. She has been featured in many magazines and newspapers, including Playboy magazine in which she appeared as a Playmate in September 2008.

Selezneva also walked during Milan Fashion Week for all of the major designers including Hermes, Fendi, and Roberto Cavalli.

She became internationally well known after being photographed by Terry Richardson with naked breasts covered only in body paint to advertise Pirelli tires (2007).

Besides modeling, she started her own clothing brand called ANASELLE which is not affiliated with any big brands or stores. Anna currently lives between Moscow and New York City.

Kristina Romanovskaya

Kristina Romanovskaya is a popular Russian fashion model and entrepreneur who was born in Moscow, Russia. She has been featured on the cover of Vogue China as well as appearing in major designer shows during Milan Fashion Week. She has been a model for designers such as Hermes, Fendi, and Roberto Cavalli.

She attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she studied Psychology. Kristina had an exciting stint with modeling in 2007 when she was photographed by Terry Richardson posing naked except for body paint to advertise Pirelli tires (2007).

Besides modeling, Romanovskaya co-founded ANASELLE which is her own clothing line that does not feature any big brands or stores like Zara or H&M. She currently lives between Moscow and New York City but spends most of her time in Russia due to family obligations and fashion shows there.?As of 2011, it’s reported that Anna models exclusively full-time in America.

References:

https://www.glitzyworld.com/10-most-beautiful-russian-models-all-time/
https://fashionrepublicmagazine.com/russian-models/