XANDER BLAKELY
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FAQ 7. Women in Russian are seemingly obsessed with the western interpretation of beauty. Do you feel this is a case in point of how the popularity of western culture might diminish cultural diversity globally? No. The early nineties in Russia saw a sudden obsession with all things Western. Not surprising, considering that everything Western had been forbidden fruit for so long. This obsession was pervasive throughout all levels of society, not just limited to Russian women and the Western interpretation of beauty. By the mid nineties, however, Russians had reached a point of satiation. Then, in the late nineties, there was a bit of a backlash, as many Russians turned back to domestic products and ways. Similarly, Russian women have gained a sense pride in their own sense of beauty. Generally speaking, I think exposure to western culture may push local culture to the side, but only temporarily. Russian culture will endure. It has for 1000 years. Snickers, Tampax, and Playboy don't pose a serious long-term threat to Russian culture, and they're a small price to pay for gaining exposure to the economic and democratic wisdom accumulated in the West over the centuries. |
