Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
If your memory stretches way back to 1991, Russian Fashion Week still may be a startling concept. But as these photos from Moscow show, Russians have mastered the basics of international fashion marketing and showmanship. And, boy, can they throw a party! At left, a model strikes a flamboyant pose backstage at the LO Fashion Show on Oct. 22, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
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Julia Kardash lolls in a bath filed with Evian water and rose petals at an event before the Alexander Gapchuk Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 21, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A dancer performs at a party held during Russian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 on Oct. 20, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A model walks the catwalk during the Evgenia Soloviova Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 21, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A dancer performs at a party thrown by American fashion designers during Russian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 on Oct. 23, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
Models dressed for the catwalk line up backstage before American fashion company Baby Phat's show in Moscow on Oct. 23, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A model walks the catwalk during the Laundry by Shelli Segal Fashion Show during Russian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 on Oct. 23, 2006. Laundry is based in Los Angeles.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A model pauses on the runway during the Laundry by Shelli Segal Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 23, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A line of models walks the catwalk during the Laundry by Shelli Segal Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 23, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
Is that a cigarette inside a public building? Well, they're at the cutting edge in many other ways. Marina Smirnova, left, and Lyudmila Taborskaya of Artefact attend the Alexander Shumsky Reception during Russian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 on Oct. 22, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
Models preen backstage during the LO Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 22, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
Russia Fashion Week came complete with its own rock stars. Looking like they would be at home in Seattle, A-mega singers Maxim Volkov, left, and Oleg Dobrynin attend the Inshade Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 20, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
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Designer Max Chernitsov attends the Inshade Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 20, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A model faces photographers on the catwalk during the Mainaim Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 20, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
Partygoers dance at the Russian Fashion Party during Russian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 on Oct. 20, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
A model walks down the catwalk during the Frankie Morello Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 22, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
They should have hired an octopus to model this outfit. A human totters down the catwalk during the Egor Zaitsev Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 24, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
Oh, man, somebody stop him before he designs again! Two models swoop past each other on the catwalk during the Egor Zaitsev Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 24, 2006.
An Exuberant Fashion Week In Moscow
Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain
Just one more picture from this guy's show; it's too funny to resist. A model walks the catwalk during the Egor Zaitsev Fashion Show in Moscow on Oct. 24, 2006.