Saint Valentine. We analyze the style of Valentina Matvienko - the third person of the state. Valentina Matvienko's style: bright, catchy, sexy Valentina Matvienko's jewelry

06.06.2021

Valentina Matviyenko's decision to step down as governor and join the Federation Council is assessed differently by different experts. While political scientists, economists, fans and oppositionists are arguing about the role of Valentina Ivanovna in the history of St. Petersburg, stylists are thinking about something completely different.

With the departure of Valentina Matvienko, St. Petersburg will certainly lose the image of a bright, interesting woman. None of her possible successors will certainly be able to surprise the townspeople with new outfits of the most different colors and shades, as she did throughout the governorship.

St. Petersburg image stylist Lana Grishina helped Valentina Ivanovna MR7 to guide her through the clothes. Having carefully examined the various outfits of Matvienko in the photographs from our archive, she gave each of them her assessment.

In general, according to Lana Grishina, alas, it cannot be said that Valentina Matvienko is always tastefully dressed. In her wardrobe there are beautiful things, chosen well, but their combination is not always appropriate.

Valentina Ivanovna sins with a lack of measure. Large rings, long earrings, bright jackets - all this is not suitable for a politician of her rank.

“Obviously, she is a strong and powerful woman, and since most of her subordinates are men, she may want to emphasize these qualities of her character,” says the stylist. - She chooses things in which she is bright, noticeable, in which it is clear that she is a leader. But it often turns out to be too much: excessive brightness looks pretentious, hard lines deprive it of femininity, and an abundance of jewelry makes you think about the presence of taste.

And one more "trouble" - there are a lot of sexual elements in her images. The same large rings, flashy colors of clothes and accessories, open shoes, bright manicure - all this is inappropriate for a politician.

It is difficult to say whether Valentina Matvienko herself or her stylists are to blame for this. But you can fix it, it would be her will.

“Will Valentina Ivanovna see this material on your site? Lana asks. - I would like to help her improve her external image. Working as a stylist with a public person is very responsible, difficult, but at the same time interesting.”

And here is how Lana Grishina commented on the specific images of the current governor of St. Petersburg:

“In general, the image is worthy and seasoned. The combination of a black dress with a white lace collar gives it charm, but it's more like a schoolgirl look.

In my opinion, the coloring is too saturated. Bright manicure. A scarf was chosen as the decoration of the dress. I would opt for a different color.

The hair is well styled, the earrings are taken to match the satin collar. Thanks to this, the image gives the impression of elegance. The line of glasses gives the face rigor and expressiveness, but they are not very suitable for the linearity of Valentina Ivanovna's face.

I really like the shoes! The shape is amazing, and the heel (although I would suggest lower). Everything is fine except for one single thing - the leader should never wear shoes with red soles, this is flashy sexuality.

Black jacquard jacket trimmed with satin ruffled ribbon, burgundy blouse with puff collar, butterfly brooch, earrings… Too much!

Good image. Here it is seasoned, looks very fresh. Pleasant, with a graphic pattern, a scarf. The only thing I would change is the earrings. It would be better if they sat firmly on the earlobe. But in general, everything is fine.

Good makeup, good hair. I don't understand the texture and color of this dress. What event could Valentina Ivanovna go to in such an outfit? No gold chain. Clip-on earrings or earrings, a wedding ring is enough, the rest is too much.

I believe that this is a pichora trimmed with fur. Why did she choose a three-quarter sleeve? If I had chosen a pichora for her, I would have offered a full sleeve. It is more comfortable. Do not think that something will peek out from under the sleeve every time.

The image is hard and strict. A black suit and a blouse with a frill - it's a pity that she is drawn to such things - they do not suit her. It would be much better to just look like a silk blouse under the neck.

And here I like everything! Very good color of a scarf (or handkerchief) - refreshes, softens. Short-haired fur is what you need. And a small shoulder. She is very feminine here, moderate, self-possessed.

Strange image. Can't comment.

Checkered jacket, rich green color and a huge chain around his neck. Moveton.

Cloak - a classic trench coat, is a prototype of the twill overcoat of an English trench soldier during the First World War. I like the color of the cape, as well as the refreshing emerald scarf and calm pink nail polish - it looks very springy. But the character of the lines should be softened. The sleeves are long, the belt is ugly tied. Overall, the look is classic.

Pleasant coloring of the jacket and lines. But lace jewelry and similar earrings can be worn at an esoteric festival, they are not at all suitable for a politician.

The outfit is associated with withered autumn leaves and adds at least a dozen years to her.

I see the dress, but no Valentina Ivanovna - the color stole her. But the line of the dress is good, beautiful jacquard, shaped collar. I find a brooch and large rings on my hands superfluous. Already in itself a beautiful fabric, a collar, and a brooch interrupts, and also on the fingers and ears - eyes run wide. Glasses: The silver color for the frame is well chosen, but the line is harsh for her face shape. And again, red nails. The nails of a woman politician should not be so bright.

In general, it makes a good impression in terms of proportions, linearity and color. The only thing that bothers me is the open toed shoes. This is again a manifestation of sexuality, inappropriate for a high-ranking official.

Too bright color of the jacket softens the noble color of the scarf. Everything would be fine if there were no terry patterns on the costume. It's too much. Too large jewelry on the fingers and in the ears.

Too dark image.

Animal print suit with beading and beading looks sexy. For a friendly dinner in a restaurant, he would fit perfectly, but not for the work of a politician. Although the color and lines of the costume are harmonious for Valentina Ivanovna.

Long dangling earrings, a large print of clothing, bright nails - all together create an impression of disharmony.

And here - all is well! The color is very refreshing. Amazing silk blouse. Everything is harmonious.

Fuchsia jacket and pink flamingo at the lapel. May be, bright color Did Valentina Ivanovna want to match the symbolism and meaning of the Scarlet Sails holiday? The color calls out to her and everyone around, it contrasts with the general background. You could choose a different color from a million reds. I would remove the flamingo, but I would leave this pale pink wonderful scarf!

"Matvienko's passion for jewelry is so great that it has become the source of numerous rumors, for example, that in Soviet times she was in charge of a large jewelry store in Leningrad for 15 years"

The original of this material
© Politzhurnal, 02/28/2006, Time to wear stones. Jewelry- the best weapon of a woman politician

Andrey Veymarn

The weaknesses of all women are the same. And chief among them is an irresistible craving for jewelry. When you look at the shop window, where the facets of diamonds shimmer in the light and polished gold shines, women's heartbeat quickens, their eyes run wide and their thoughts get confused. Even those who are seriously involved in politics.

Diamond Facets of Diplomacy

Diplomats who have seen a lot in their lifetime always take into account this innate weakness and try to use it in the interests of their country. For example, when in 2003 the wives of the CIS heads of state visited St. Petersburg, they were first taken to the Hermitage's Golden Storeroom. Together with the wives of the leaders of Armenia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Cyprus, Lyudmila Putina also examined the collection. What conclusions she made as a result of the excursion can be judged by the fact that for the summit dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, by order of President Vladimir Putin, each of the invited heads of state was made a model of the Konstantinovsky Palace decorated with diamonds.

But former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been collecting brooches since childhood and really appreciates when they are given to her. Yitzhak Rabin's wife Leah, for example, once presented her with an expensive dove brooch, and then also a necklace made in the same style, and attached a note to it: "Even doves need support." Believe it or not, since then Madame Secretary of State has always been a “dove” towards Israel and has always supported it.

Wearing this or that brooch, Albright always turned the piece of jewelry into a symbol for those with whom she negotiated. So, when a brooch in the form of a snake appeared on Madame's chest during negotiations with the Iraqi delegation, the negotiations ended in failure for the Iraqis. According to her former deputy, Jack Rubin, Albright "used a spider brooch when circumstances forced her to be insincere," and a Capitol brooch when she wanted to hint at her lack of party allegiances. “When I met with the Russian Minister of Defense to discuss an anti-missile defense treaty, I put on a brooch in the form of a rocket...,” Ms. Albright shared with reporters.

In 2000, US President Bill Clinton, before negotiations, also drew Putin's attention to the brooch of his Secretary of State. This time it was three monkeys: "I see no evil, I hear no evil, I will not say evil." The Russian side, apparently, should have taken this as a good sign. After all, a week before, at a lecture at the London School of Economics, when Albright had another brooch, she caustically commented on Putin's statements about his commitment to democracy: they say, the impression of Russian reforms is like that of an English detective - somewhere we have already read this .

Later, at meetings with Putin, the code brooches of the Secretary of State were as follows: in 2000, two parachutes replaced the kite. In 2001 - a bee. In 2004, during a state visit to Russia, Madeleine Albright wore two brooches in the form of balloons. Our press hastened to interpret it like this: "I believe in the rise and revival of Russia." But maybe Albright had something else in mind?

Diamonds to monetize beneficiaries

Madame Albright's Russian colleagues had a harder time satisfying their craving for jewelry. According to the unwritten rules of Soviet and post-Soviet political etiquette, women politicians were not supposed to wear flashy jewelry. Modest earrings were allowed, on the hand - a wedding ring or a delicate ring. In addition, not too long gold chain was allowed. If the chain was hidden in the neckline, then in Soviet times its owner could be suspected of wearing an Orthodox cross.

This tradition was challenged by St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko and State Duma Deputy Chairman Lyubov Sliska. Both of them always dress brightly and wear a lot of gold jewelry. Sliska looked especially impressive when her diamond necklace and earrings were combined with arguments about the poverty of the elderly and the benefits that the monetization of benefits will bring to the latter. Apparently, in order to avoid unfavorable comparisons, Sliska began to be shown noticeably less often on television news.

Valentina Matvienko wears expensive jewelry often and in large quantities. Either pearl drop earrings, or avant-garde clip-on earrings. To a dark jacket and a pale blue top, she puts on a massive blue necklace.

Like Mrs. Albright, Matvienko developed her own set of metaphorical rules regarding jewelry. So, when she was a deputy prime minister, she wore a brooch in the form of an arrow encrusted with cubic zirkonia at a government meeting. A brooch in the form of a platinum scorpion was used when Valentina Ivanovna was about to bake someone. Wanting to emphasize softness and femininity, she puts on brooches in the form of various animals and butterflies. We were not able to find out only one thing - on what occasions the St. Petersburg governor decorates himself with a brooch made by students of the Moscow Art Lyceum No. 332.

As a graduation project, the guys usually make copies of Faberge eggs. Since by law to work with precious stones and noble metal, children under 18 are not allowed, lyceum students replace precious metal with cupronickel, and diamonds with glass beads. Drawings on metal are cut with a jigsaw. But the result is still amazing. Not without reason, upon seeing him, the head of the Moscow Department of Education, Lyubov Kezina, immediately wanted such an egg. Matvienko, like Ms. Albright, also likes to receive brooches as a gift, and this time she remained true to her addiction - the graduate students had to sculpt brooches.

So, in 2004, on the first working day after her birthday, according to our source in Smolny, Matvienko received a brooch bought by the vice-governors in a clubbing. And a foreign guest, the President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, in the same year presented Matvienko with an expensive silver jewelry as a gift. A year later, when unsuccessful monetization stirred up dissatisfaction with the authorities in the country, Valentina Ivanovna began to go out to the people without diamonds and emerald necklaces, garnet bracelets and gold necklaces. But this fuse did not last long. On March 29, TV news showed the awards ceremony for journalists in the Throne Room of the Catherine Palace (Tsarskoe Selo). The Madame Governor wore an insanely designed black suit and an equally insanely large pearl necklace.

Rose-cross, burdock, spider...

Matvienko's passion for jewelry is so great that it has become the source of numerous rumors. Sometimes the most ridiculous. Like the fact that in Soviet times she was in charge of a large jewelry store in Leningrad for 15 years. There are also more bizarre rumors. Last year, for example, in early February, a jewelry exhibition opened in St. Petersburg, where a gold watch with diamonds “President of Russia” was presented. The representative of the manufacturer boasted that the president had given such a watch to Valentina Ivanovna. However, Matviyenko's press secretary assured that the governor had not received a gold watch from the president, and the owner of the watch company, in turn, told reporters that none of his employees could have said anything of the kind. There was another curious rumor last year. Allegedly, for the 1000th anniversary of Kazan, a local jewelry factory is making a diamond necklace for Valentina Matvienko ... It turned out, however, that there was no such order. “Just as there are no diamonds,” the factory clarified. – Tatar jewelers prefer emeralds. Exclusive decorations, decorated with Bulgar ornaments of the 9th-14th centuries, appeared on open sale for the anniversary of the city.” But whether Matviyenko bought herself an emerald necklace, the factory workers did not say.

In 2003, at a reception in the Kremlin, I myself managed to see with my own eyes how Matvienko looks in all the splendor of his jewelry magnificence. On the lapel of her chic dress-suit, there was a golden rose on a leg, reminiscent of a Maltese cross, there were golden star earrings in her ears, and a dense twisted “string-necklace” of gold around her neck. A gold watch by Cartier on the left hand, on the right - an unthinkable design wedding ring. In general, this equipment grossly violated the first rule of good taste: never wear too much jewelry, which Valentina Ivanovna, of course, knows about. But I was much more surprised by her brooch - a golden rose-cross.

Our press wrote that this is a memory of the diplomatic past - in the early 90s, Matvienko was the ambassador of the USSR, and then the Russian Federation in the Republic of Malta. However, as a diplomat who has worked in Malta for many years, Valentina Ivanovna, of course, should know that the rose-cross is a symbol of the Rosicrucians. Decorating himself with it, a person openly proclaims belonging to the Masonic lodge. In the same row are other Masonic symbols - brooches in the form of an iron sprig of burdock and a massive spider, with which Matvienko began to appear in public since 2001. The question arises: if there are Freemasons in the immediate circle of the president, how great is their influence on Russian politics?

The secret passion of Lyudmila Putina

In 2004, one of the most “authoritative” businessmen, Roman Tsepov, passed away in St. Petersburg under mysterious circumstances. He ran a security company and had influence in political circles. “In 1995,” the newspapers wrote at the time, “ Tsepov gave Lyudmila Putina an emerald, which he allegedly won at cards from the criminal authority of the Boatswain. The latter in 1994 allegedly stole this stone from South Korea. The emerald is wanted by Interpol (catalogue 1995–1996). Then there was a rumor that Tsepov allegedly provided services to Putin on the condition that he would "protect" his activities. Allegedly, with the help of Putin, Tsepov received five cover documents, including the FSB, the SVR and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

This, of course, is a myth, but the love of the first lady of the country for expensive jewelry is known from photographs of the St. Petersburg period of her life. Not without reason, during one of Putin's first foreign visits - a trip to Ottawa in 2000, the wife of our president received a brooch in the form of a double-headed eagle and an inlaid cross as a memory of her meeting with Russian immigrants there.

However, Lyudmila Putina soon changed her image. Already in 2001, during a state visit to Germany, the local press noted: he gave his wife a minimum of jewelry Russian President special charm. Since then, realizing how many malevolent eyes are watching her and how easily any oversight on her part can damage the image of Russia, the first lady of the country began to carefully hide her love for jewelry.

So, in 2002, during her first private visit to Poland, in Krakow, Putina became extremely interested in amber jewelry. But, on reflection, I bought a set of painted vodka glasses. In 2004, Delhi merchants were looking forward to her visit to Yashwant Place, a market popular with Western tourists. In 2002, she already bought some of the jewelry here. What exactly is unknown, but it is known that for Putin's new visit, the owner of the same store prepared a set of white gold, diamonds and black pearls - a necklace and earrings ($22,000), as well as a two-carat diamond ring ($11,000). . dollars). However, this time Putin did not reach the place of his previous purchase. After spending more than two hours on the market, the wife of the Russian president bought a modest emerald necklace for just $300.

Where does the first lady of the country buy diamonds? The country received a de facto answer to this question in 2002. For during a state visit to Russia by the President of Iceland, Olavur Ragnar, the spouses of the presidents, Lyudmila Putina and Dorrit Musaef, visited the trade and exhibition center for the jewelry art of the Alrosa company. This company, which mines 99% of Russian diamonds, opened its own jewelry production a year earlier and launched the sale of jewelry made of gold and platinum with diamonds and other precious stones.

We managed to find out that on that day the distinguished guests were offered masterpieces of modern Russian jewelry art - from classics to avant-garde. Including fantastically beautiful jewelry with diamonds of the famous "Russian" cut. Of course, Putin did not choose a jewelry store for such an excursion by chance. The gray-haired head of Alrosa (the company accounts for a quarter of the world's rough diamond production) Alexander Nichiporuk is a powerful member of Putin's inner circle.

Who else adorns the wife of our president, the country found out three years later, when the Moscow Center for Oriental Literature opened an exhibition of jewelry design by Lisa Vershbow, the wife of the then US ambassador to Russia. It turned out that Lisa is a professional avant-garde artist. Exclusive brooches of her work are worn by Madeleine Albright, Barbara Bush and Lyudmila Putina. But only the artist's husband, diplomat Alexander Vershbow, is the owner of a whole collection of jewelry art of his avant-garde wife. He also comes up with elegant names for the products made by his wife at his leisure. For example, it would be too banal to say simply “cup holders”, which is why they are now called “progressive” in the USA.

The first on the list is the speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko, who wears earrings from the jewelry company Graff. According to the Navalny Foundation, Matviyenko's round white metal earrings made by Graff are worth $23,000.

Reine De Naples watches from the Swiss company Breguet cost from 100,000 to 120,000 dollars, depending on the number of diamonds.

In another photo, Matvienko wore pearl earrings from the Japanese company Mikimoto for $45,000, as well as De Grisogono earrings for $23,000. It is noteworthy that when these photos were taken, the annual income of Matvienko and her husband was 100 thousand dollars.

2. Tatyana Golikova, head Accounts Chamber wears Cat's Eye Bloom watch from Girard Perregaux, worth about 13 thousand dollars. Another Golikova watch from the Swiss brand Maurice Lacroix was valued at 10 thousand dollars.

3. Irina Yarovaya, State Duma deputy from the United Russia party, with an official annual salary of $100,000, allows herself to spend money on a $15,000 necklace.

4. Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, officially receiving the same 100 thousand dollars a year, disposes of them much more generously in jewelry stores. For example, one of her sets - earrings and pendant from Graff - costs about 52 thousand dollars.

Cancer also has a $9,450 Van Cleef & Arpels pendant and a $25,725 set.

5. Jewelry for several tens of thousands of dollars, apparently must have at the Moscow City Hall. Natalia Sergunina, Moscow's deputy mayor, wears a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and ring set worth around $42,300.

6. The press secretary of the mayor of Moscow, Gulnara Penkova, has more modest jewelry than Peskov. Nevertheless, the head of the press service of the mayor of Moscow has a De Grisogono ring made of white gold worth about 30 thousand dollars.

She also owns a Long Island watch from the Swiss brand Franck Muller, worth approximately $13,000.

7. Even a little-known politician, such as Elmira Glubokovskaya, a State Duma deputy from " United Russia", a Hublot Big Bang watch was discovered, which, according to activists, is worth $ 25,700.

8. But the Navalny Foundation saw the most expensive decoration on the ex-deputy of the State Duma, the famous gymnast Alina Kabaeva. On the arm of the athlete, who has long been credited with an affair with Russian President Vladimir Putin, they noticed an 18-carat white gold Reine de Naples watch from Breguet, adorned with diamonds and rubies. Their price - $168,000 - is about half of Kabaeva's declared income during her period in the lower house of parliament, when the photo with the clock was taken.

With the departure of Valentina Matvienko, St. Petersburg will certainly lose the image of a bright, interesting woman. None of her possible successors will certainly be able to surprise the townspeople with new outfits of various colors and shades as often as she did throughout the entire governorship.

Valentina Ivanovna sins with a lack of measure. Large rings, long earrings, bright jackets - all this is not suitable for a politician of her rank.

It is difficult to say whether Valentina Matvienko herself or her stylists are to blame for this. But you can fix it, it would be her will.

And here is how Lana Grishina commented on the specific images of the current governor of St. Petersburg:

“In general, the image is worthy and seasoned. The combination of a black dress with a white lace collar gives it charm, but it's more like a schoolgirl look.

In my opinion, the coloring is too saturated. Bright manicure. A scarf was chosen as the decoration of the dress. I would opt for a different color.

Black jacquard jacket trimmed with satin ruffled ribbon, burgundy blouse with puff collar, butterfly brooch, earrings… Too much!

Strange image. Can't comment.

Checked jacket, rich green color and a huge chain around the neck. Moveton.

Pleasant coloring of the jacket and lines. But lace jewelry and similar earrings can be worn at an esoteric festival, they are not at all suitable for a politician.

The outfit is associated with withered autumn leaves and adds at least a dozen years to her.

Too dark image.

Long dangling earrings, a large print of clothing, bright nails - all together create an impression of disharmony.

And here - all is well! The color is very refreshing. Amazing silk blouse. Everything is harmonious.

Fuchsia jacket and pink flamingo at the lapel. Maybe Valentina Ivanovna wanted to match the symbolism and meaning of the Scarlet Sails holiday with bright colors? The color calls out to her and everyone around, it contrasts with the general background. You could choose a different color from a million reds. I would remove the flamingo, but I would leave this pale pink wonderful scarf!

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“Crowns have flaws, but in general they are important things,” says Elizabeth II and straightens the crown of St. Edward on her head. She wore it for the first time in 55 years for a documentary program on BBC1.

This crown was created in 1661 for Charles II: it is encrusted with 2868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies and is kept in the Tower, where any tourist can look at it. And of course, this is just one of the many very expensive crowns that belong to Her Majesty. The queen generally has one of the most impressive jewelry collections of any politician - now, by some estimates, it includes several thousand items.

And they, unlike the decorations of officials, do not raise questions from anyone.

Political Question: What is the connection between a 10 carat diamond and the institution of reputation?

We will return to listing the number of diamonds that statesmen have, but first we will understand why people even care about the jewelry of politicians? The answer is simple: as long as part of the country lives below the poverty line, those who receive their salaries at the expense of taxpayers should not wear emeralds and rubies. This is not forgiven in our age of aggressive tolerance, so a politician in public should not be dressed too expensively and make sure that his image does not offend anyone.

There are many requirements, but they are controlled by the shaky categories of ethics and the institution of reputation. This means that if a politician behaves unethically, this affects the attitude of the people towards him. Example: former French leader Nicolas Sarkozy. Ksenia Trushina, Ph.D. in art history, writes in an article on Meduza that “for his love of expensive suits, massive watches and trendy sunglasses, the press dubbed him the shiny president.”

Another example: the first official portraits of Donald and Melania Trump, where Melania posed with a Graff 12 carat diamond engagement ring. The picture was immediately commented on Twitter by actress Alyssa Milano: “For the cost of the ring, you could feed many starving families in our country.”

It would seem that it is no secret to anyone that Donald, before taking office as president, was a successful businessman and had the right to buy his wife a diamond even the size of a baby's head. But that was before the presidency, and now the ring looks like a spit in the face of welfare Americans. Is it ethical for the first lady in 2017 to wear such a ring? No. Is it forbidden? Also no. But remember, it all depends on the context.

Melania Trump's 12-carat Graff engagement ring is estimated to cost between $1.5 million and $3 million.

Jewelry dress code: what politicians can wear

Michelle Obama wears discreet strings of pearls in both the 2009 official portrait and the 2013 portrait. And during the Christmas special of the Oprah Winfrey show in 2009, Barack presented his wife with a diamond brooch - it was filed as a New Year's surprise.

In parallel, Michelle wore jewelry, and if the designer wanted to give her a piece of jewelry, she participated in its creation.

So the first family made it clear that they are not stars who change diamonds like gloves, but an exemplary family with a good income, where the husband does honest work, and the wife knows how to count money.

But it's best to make the politically incorrect jewels of your politically strong point it was made by Madeleine Albright, the first female US Secretary of State, who is known for her collection of brooches. 200 copies were exhibited in Austin until January 21st.

“Most of the collection is jewelry bought in markets and antique shops. “I have a trained eye,” says Albright. “It sounds crazy, but sometimes I literally hear the brooch say:“ You need me, ”writes The New Yorker.

What are they wearing Russian politicians

It was not in vain that we started the conversation with reputation. The main question for any expensive thing is where the owner got the money for it. A civil servant in Russia cannot have a business. True, it is allowed to teach, engage in science and creativity, but these incomes cannot be used to buy branded jewelry that our politicians love so much. They also cannot receive gifts more expensive than three thousand rubles. And it turns out that the officials have no options to get hold of the ring, say, Graff legally. In order not to declare jewelry, they go to tricks.

“There is a huge gray market for whatsapp jewelry and private buyers. They have already proven themselves by getting limited bags for their wives, they can also be contacted for branded jewelry,” explains Nadya Mendelevich, Vogue.ru jewelry editor, gemologist and curator of private jewelry collections.

A closer look at Van Cleef & Arpels earrings by State Duma deputy Irina Yarovaya:

In 2015, a scandal broke out: it turned out that the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, wears a Richard Mille watch, which costs from 9 to 38 million rubles (depending on the configuration). He had declared income of 9 million a year, so Peskov called the watch a gift from his wife, figure skater Tatyana Navka.

Dmitry Peskov's Richard Mille watch costs from 9 to 38 million rubles, depending on the configuration

In the wake of the scandal, the Navalny Anti-Corruption Foundation found out what kind of jewelry Russian officials wear. It turned out to be serious. Valentina Matvienko loves Mikimoto earrings for 3 million rubles and Breguet watches for 8 million (we round the numbers: the cost in rubles depends on the dollar exchange rate).