Hot Baby cool

"People now like to dress from another time, like the time of (Empress) Catherine the Great," said Mikhalkova, who counts future first lady and public Russian fashion supporter Svetlana Medvedeva in her close circle of friends.

SLOW SUCCESS ABROAD

Russian fashion, like other facets of the country's art, is gaining popularity and spreading in interest as Russia undergoes its longest economic boom in more than a generation, fuelled by high oil prices.

But Moscow Fashion Week, which was set up 15 years ago to compete with other fashion footholds Milan and Paris, fell short of the international glamour such cities receive.

Almost all shows were held in the same hall, few Russian and no foreign celebrities made an appearance.

Two Russian designers who have gained popularity in the West were markedly absent from the shows.