Russian Personalities

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Miss Russia Winners, 1929-1939

Miss Russia Winners

Miss Russia Winners (1929-1939)


All Miss Russia Winners (1929-1939)
The story of the beauty contest Miss Russia began in Paris in the 20s of the last century. From 1926 to 1928, the winner received the title of Queen of the Russian Colony in Paris and since 1929, the competition had become known as Miss Russia. The participants were chosen only among Russians, who emigrated to France after the 1917 October Revolution and the subsequent Civil War. The Russian-language magazine Illustrated Russia became the main organizer of the pageant.

In the first round of the competition, all participants were invited to the stage. Then the jury had a brief interview with each contender and, following a discussion, every girl got three marks – for the beauty of her face and body, and for general impression.
In 1926, the first Queen of the Russian colony in Paris was Larisa Popova.
Larisa Popova

Queen of the Russian colony Larisa Popova (left) and the Queen of Paris Simone Lemaitre


19-year-old Kira Sklyarova became the new Queen of the Russian colony in Paris in 1927.
Kira Sklyarova

Kira Sklyarova – Queen of the Russian colony in Paris in 1927 (center) and her maids of honor


In 1928, Nina Severskaya (after marriage Duvall) became the last winner of the title Queen of the Russian colony in Paris. Nina (or Nika) was the model of the fashion house Lanvin and the daughter of singer and composer Nikolai Seversky.
Valentina Osterman

Valentina Osterman


In 1929, 18-year-old Valentina Osterman, a native of Rostov, received the first title of Miss Russia. However, she was disqualified for her German passport. The title went to first vice-miss, Irina Levitskaya.
Irina Levitskaya

Irina Levitskaya


The title of Miss Russia 1930 was won by 18-year-old Irina Ventsel (Irene Wentzel).
Irina Ventsel

Irina Ventsel

Irina Ventsel

Irina Ventsel


In 1931, Maria Chaliapina, the daughter of the famous Russian opera singer, Feodor Chaliapin, was crowned Miss Russia.
Maria Chaliapina

Maria Chaliapina

Maria Chaliapina

Maria Chaliapina


In 1932, 19-year-old Nina Pol’ won the title of Miss Russia.
Nina Pol

Nina Pol


In 1933, Miss Russia contest was won by 19-year-old Tatiana Maslova, who became the first Russian beauty to win the international beauty contest – Miss Europe 1933.
Tatiana Maslova

Tatiana Maslova


In 1934, 18-year-old Ekaterina Antonova won the title of Miss Russia.
Ekaterina Antonova

Ekaterina Antonova

Ekaterina Antonova

Ekaterina Antonova


In 1935, the daughter of the mistress of an underwear studio in Paris, Marianna Gorbatovskaya won the title of Miss Russia.
Participants of Miss Russia 1935

Participants of Miss Russia 1935


Ariadna Gedeonova – Miss Russia 1936
Ariadna Gedeonova

Ariadna Gedeonova

Ariadna Gedeonova

Ariadna Gedeonova


In 1937, Irina Ilina, the daughter of the Russian navy officer, received the title of Miss Russia.
Irina Ilina

Irina Ilina


In 1938, 24-year-old Eugene Dashkievich won the contest Miss Russia.
Eugene Dashkievich

Eugene Dashkievich


And in 1939, 17-year-old Irina Borodulina became the last winner of Miss Russia in Paris.
Irina Borodulina

Irina Borodulina


At the beginning of September The Second World War put an end to the publication of the magazine Illustrated Russia and the contest Miss Russia.
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