1. Natasha Poly, born Natasha Polevshchikova, hails from Perm, Russia and is one of the go-to models for both editorial and advertising campaigns. She made her runway debut in 2004 and has been the face of numerous campaigns including Gucci, Givenchy, Lanvin, Missoni and Jil Sander. Natasha has the chameleon-like ability to transform her facial expressions and is also well known for her recognizable runway walk and signature pose. She married Dutch businessman Peter Bakker in 2011.

2. Irina Shayk, born Irina Shaykhlislamova, hails from Chelyabinsk region. Her exotic eniticing appearance, which was so unusual for Ural women, attracted attention of many model agents. Irina got her first big break in 2007 when she became the face of Intimissimi lingerie. In the same year, she made her first appearance in the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She appeared on the covers of Vogue, Elle, Italian Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, GQ and Glamour fashion magazines, worked with La Perla, Armani and Guess. In 2011 she was ranked one in the “50 Hottest Russian Women” list by Complex Magazine. Irina is involved in the Red Cross and "Pomogi" charitable organization. Read more.

3. Natalya Vodianova is one of the most successful models in the world and a prominent philanthropist. She was born in Nizhny Novgorod. That beautiful woman has a very interesting life history (read more) and many abilities that helped her to reach the tops of the fashion industry. Natalia signed with Viva Model Management at the age of 17. She has appeared in ad campaigns for David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, L'Oreal, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein and has been featured on the covers of all the world's best fashion magazines. Now she is a founder a  Naked Heart Foundation, which strives to provide a safe and inspiring environment for children to play in urban Russia. (Biography)

4. Anne Vyalitsyna, also known simply as Anne V, was born in Nizhny Novgorod. She is a famous clothing and swimwear model, best known for her ongoing seven-consecutive-year run of appearances (2005–11) in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She appeared at the covers of most world's fashion magazines, she also had the honour to walk in the 2008 and 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Anne is featured in "Never Gonna Leave This Bed" music video by Maroon 5 group. Since 2010, Anne have been dating with Adam Levine (the vocalist of Maroon 5). Read more.

5. Eugenia Volodina was born in Kazan. She began her career in 1998, but an increased attention came in 2002 when fashion photographer Steven Meisel featured her in Italian Vogue. She is often named an embodiment of mysterious Russian soul - unusual and strong but, at the same time, tender and feminine model, a real goddess, who became a face of Gucci, Christian Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Escada, Bvlgari, Bill Blass and other fashion brands. Eugenia comes into the top-10 world models with annual income of more than 1 million dollars. 

6. Valentina Zeliaeva is a successful Russian model, born in Nizhny Novgorod, who has appeared on the cover of Spanish, Chinese, Greek, and Mexican editions of Vogue. In 2007 she also went on to the famous Forbes list as one of the highest-paid world models. Her runway credits include Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci and Valentino. Now Valentina is a face of the Ralph Lauren fashion house. She took part in promotion campaign of the Ralph Lauren's perfume "Romance" together with her boyfriend. Valentina is often called an example of the "classical Russian beauty".

7. Sasha Pivovarova was born in Moscow and began her career in 2005 when a photographer friend introduced her to IMG in New York.  Two weeks later she made her debut, opening the fall Prada show in Milan and soon became the face of Prada, having an exclusive consecutive 6-season run with that company. She has been featured in French Vogue and has also had her work exhibited in New York and Paris galleries. In 2008 Sasha opened and closed the spring show for Chanel couture in Paris. Vogue Paris declared her one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. Read more.

8. Polina Kuklina was born in Moscow. She began her model career like so often, by the initiation of her best friend to take part in Slava Zaitsev model show. There Polina was approached by a Russian model scout to work in Russia and London. She gained a fame after her fotosession for Vogue. Polina was the face of Prada, Hugo Boss, Nina Ricci, Burberry, Saks, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. The combination of ethereal beauty and remarkable intelligence makes her irressisitible for photographers.

9. Vlada Roslyakova is a model with unique Slavic beauty. She is often called one of the skinniest models in the world, though she doesn't look like a person with anorexia. Roslyakova began modeling in Russia, then moved to Tokyo. Her first season was very successful, she began modeling for well-known designers at once. Vlada attracted their attention by her distinctive walk and doll-like looks, but at the same time she could transform in many different imagies. Vlada was a face of Nina Ricci, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Мax Mara и D&G. Vogue Paris declared her one of the top 30 models of the 2000s

10. Anna Selezneva was born in Moscow. She never dreamed to be a model, the fashion agent found her in McDonalds. She had a really successful debut, negotiating an exclusive contract with "Silent Models" and going to Paris for work. Anna became a favourite model for the best photographers, such as Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, and Peter Lindbergh. She is still very young, but has alreaby been featured on the covers of six international Vogue editions and other magazines. Vogue Paris declared Selezneva one of the top 30 models of the 2000s.

11. Masha Novoselova was born in Tula. She started her career still being in school. The Russian beauty is often compared to a famous scandalous model Kate Moss, as the models are very much alike by their appearance and mode of life. They both have a status of "bad" and scandalous persons, though it doesn't prevents them from taking part in many fashion companies and shows. Masha has been featured on the covers of Harpers Bazaar, Grazia, Madame Figaro, Profil magazines, was a face of Nina Ricci and Sisley brands, also worked for Benetton, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, Le Silla, Miss Selfridges and others.  

12. Irina Kulikova is a young, but very popular model at the world's fashion scene. She is best know for pure child-like face and figure, high cheekbones and wonderfully long legs. Her story is another story of Cinderella who was lucky to be noticed by fashion agent when she didn't expect it at all. 16-year-old model began her career, taking part in Prada and Chanel fashion shows, being a top-model of Jill Sander and Pringle of Scotland. After her first season she came into the top-10 of the most called-for models. Now Irina is a face of Prada and one of the most promised models of a new wave. She is also another proof that Russian expanstion over the world fashion market begins in earnest.

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Sources: FashionSiberia Models.com Wikipedia Arabio Allcelebs Squidoo Vev People.Passion Look at Me

Julia Alieva