Maria Simmonds, Lina Geornina, Ksenia Stefanov, Valeria Panova - on the
catwalk today, it’s Russian names and Russian beauty that are in vogue.
“Although Russia influenced the
Fashion World seven, eight years ago, in Israel it’s only been in the
last three years that they started taking part in the big campaigns.
The number of Russian models is growing because they bring a level of
professionalism far above what we’re used to in Israel. Today,
photographers, after working with Russian girls don’t want to work with
anyone else,” says Shai Avital, from Elite model agency.
Adi Barkan, a top photographer with contracts with leading magazines
around the world, says it’s easier to work with Russian girls than with
Israeli models.
“If a Russian girl comes to the
studio at eight in the morning she works until eight in the evening
without saying nothing. The Israeli model, after four hours needs a
break. Secondly the models are different size. And this is what the
designer wants and it’s cheaper than bringing a model from Europe.”
Olga Benenson is 14-years-old and was spotted walking on the street.
She now models in-between school lessons and dreams of becoming the
next Russian supermodel. She says photographers love Russian models
because they have a European look and are different from the local
girls.
But the dark side of this glamorous world is eating disorders like
anorexia and bulimia. Adi, who is spearheading a campaign to introduce
a law that will prevent girls who are too thin from getting work,
complains that the Russians make his job more difficult.
“Israeli girls are different in the
size and when a Russian girl is coming, all of Israel starts to be
jealous because they will never be like them,” he says.
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