Top Soviet Runway Stars: The Life of Mila Romanovskaya, Who Loved Andrei Mironov and Escaped Abroad

When discussing Russian models, most people recall only the beauties whose careers began in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It seems as if before Natalia Vodianova, Sasha Pivovarova, Natalia Semanova, and the Egorov sisters, Western interest in Russian models was nonexistent. In reality, the first Russian mannequins who struggled to break out of the Soviet Union conquered the harsh Soviet runways, captivated famous artists, fascinated high-ranking officials, and at times risked everything they had without knowing what awaited them next.

Fifty-five years ago, modeling in the USSR was neither as prestigious nor as well-paid as it is today. Women showcasing clothes were often derogatorily called "mannequins," paid meagerly, and considered second-class workers. It’s no surprise that many dreamed of escaping abroad, where models enjoyed a more enthusiastic and respectful reception. The first to achieve this was Lyudmila (Mila) Romanovskaya.

How It All Began

As often happens, Mila entered the fashion world by chance. A friend, who worked part-time at the Leningrad House of Models, fell ill and asked Mila to substitute at an evening presentation. Confident on the runway, Romanovskaya made a sensation. Offers for regular work soon followed, along with the coveted opportunity to travel abroad. In the West, Lyudmila – a striking blonde – was seen as the embodiment of Slavic beauty. Foreign journalists nicknamed her "Snegurochka" and were captivated at first sight.

The first thing Mila did upon arriving abroad was to go shopping, buying as many clothes as her limited savings allowed. After all, during her youth, just after the war, she had to wear garments made from parachutes.

Romanovskaya was often dubbed the "Russian Twiggy" in the press, but this comparison was inaccurate. The British model and the Russian shared only large eyes and platinum hair. Unlike Twiggy, Mila was not thin. In the Soviet Union, models were generally robust, as thinness was associated with hunger and hardship. Women were expected to be healthy and well-built – what was called "blood and milk." Consequently, Soviet models often appeared more solid compared to their Western counterparts.

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An Unyielding Rivalry

In 1967, Lyudmila Romanovskaya was awarded the title "Miss Russia." This title, however, differs from the modern pageant established only in 1989. At that time, the international textile industry exhibition was held in Montreal, featuring seven countries. Mila represented the USSR, appearing on stage in a red dress embroidered with gold, receiving thunderous applause. Interestingly, the outfit was originally meant to be showcased by her main rival, Regina Zbarskaya, but the judges decided that the blonde Mila looked more harmonious in it.

Warm and approachable, Mila was the complete opposite of Regina – distant, capricious, and bold, who rose quickly to fame only to fall just as fast.

Their rivalry became legendary and inspired the TV series "Red Queen," where actress Marusya Fomina portrayed Romanovskaya.

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Zbarskaya resented Romanovskaya not only professionally but also because Mila was fortunate to become a mother. Mila gave birth to her only daughter at 19. Regina, who had an abortion at her husband’s request, was unable to have children and suffered from this for the rest of her life.

Husbands, Lovers, and Famous Admirers

After winning the international contest, Mila was congratulated by everyone except her own husband, who attacked her with fists and accusations of infidelity. Humiliated and insulted, she made the difficult decision to separate from him and embarked on a brief but passionate romance with actor Andrei Mironov. They met through Valentin Gaft, then husband of Mila’s close friend and model Elena (Alena) Izergina.

Mila was 27 at the time and ready for a second marriage – but not with Mironov, who had fallen for another woman, but with artist Yuri Kuperman. Their breakup may have been influenced not only by Mironov’s new relationship but also by his sometimes unmanly behavior.

In an interview, Romanovskaya recalled that during a fight with her first husband, who still hoped to win her back, Mironov "quickly ran away: he cared about his face and did not get involved in the fight."

Her second husband also got into a fight – not with the first husband but with the strong fist of Nikita Mikhalkov. Years later, they laughed about the incident, which stemmed from the director’s gallantry in congratulating Mila on a successful show and the artist’s jealousy, suspecting flirting.

Yuri and Lyudmila became among the first couples to receive permission to leave the USSR to continue their careers abroad. Seizing the opportunity to escape the Iron Curtain, Mila moved to Austria, followed by Israel and the United Kingdom, where luck continued to favor the blonde.

KGB Pursuit

However, life was far from perfect. Those who applied to emigrate were considered enemies of the people. Romanovskaya and Kuperman faced this fate. KGB agents sought any mistake that could prevent their departure. Finding nothing compromising, they followed the couple to Vienna. The first words Mila heard stepping off the plane were etched in her heart for years: "Mila! How could you betray your Motherland!"

In the USSR, people who left and succeeded abroad were often forgotten. That’s why so little is known about the later life of one of the first Soviet models. From scarce media notes, we learned that Lyudmila Romanovskaya was in demand professionally, collaborating with fashion houses like Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior, and Givenchy.

She also found happiness in her personal life. Her last and brightest love was British businessman Douglas Edwards, whom she met on a flight from Paris to London. Her third husband became the true knight she had dreamed of – a man of her dreams. In Herefordshire, he settled her in a magnificent 18th-century home with a small park, perfect for their walks together.

Unfortunately, only a few photographs from those years survive. But even from the available images, one can appreciate the stunning beauty of this remarkable woman.

Photo credit: Legion-Media.ru, Oleg Ivanov/TASS

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