Soviet lookbook: Exploring the treasures of mother's wardrobe

29-year old Russian photographer Anastasia Bogomolova presented her photo-project Lookbook at the IX Moscow International Biennale Fashion and Style in Photography 2015 // "On the left: Blue satin dress with white dots, 1987, imported. There used to be a white belt for it. On the right: Black & white silk dress of my elder sister, 1992 "

I looked into her mom’s old beauty case and found the lipstick, eye shadow and blush that she used to apply when she was my age. // On the left: Orange satin summer dress with flower pattern, 1980. This dress was hand-sewn, mom made it before I was born. On the right: White silk blouse, blue denim skirt, 1995

I took a random suitcase from the hall closet and found there a pair of Yugoslav shoes from the 80s that were in short supply back then. // On the left: Yellow silk blouse with satin collar and wristbands, 1990. Black jersey skirt, 1993-94. My mom loved this blouse and wore it often. The skirt belonged to my sister, made in China, bought in Kazakhstan. On the right: Silk summer blue dress with white stripes, 1989. Grandma bought it for my elder sister as a birthday gift, but she never wore it. At first it didn't fit, but later she just didn't like it.

I delved through the boxes full of family bits and pieces and found mother's clothes and elder sisters’ dresses. // On the left: Light green silk dress with trumpet skirt, embroidered collar, 1983.  Mom ordered it in Kazakhstan from a premium tailor. A lot of mother's dresses were made there. On the right: Yugoslav leather & chamois sandals, 1983, bought especially for the dress from the previous photo.

When I was seven years old I could barely wait till our apartment was empty and everyone had gone to school or work so I could inspect the wardrobe: tried everything on in front of the mirror, pretending I was an adult. // Jeans, pullover, mohair bonnet, 1993

Now getting close to the age when my mom gave birth to me, I’m inspecting these clothes and accessories once again. // On the left: Green crepe-de-Chine dress with red flowers on it, 1983. Mom was disappointed with this one: the cutter made a mistake. Mom wore it rarely, but I love it and wear from time to time. On the right: Light rose satin dress, 1988. My sister never wore it.

I use this old lipstick, which burns my skin and peels off my lips. I pick up grandma’s bags with squares of cloth that were supposed to become a dress one day. // On the left: Dark green coat made on at the Abay tailor manufactory, Karaganda (Kazakhstan), 1986, and sister's orange cap, 1995. On the right: Blue cotton dress with white inset, 1990, for my sister.

I thumb through the old fashion magazines of the 1970s-1990s that influenced my early perception of what is beautiful. // On the right: Rose batiste costume, 1984. Sewn by the same tailor. There was an experimental manufactory at that time.

I stand in front of the mirror trying to picture in my mind’s eye all the women in my family at once, to examine how they interpreted their sexuality. I repeat this ritual to accept my own transformation into a woman and at the same time to deny it. // On the left: Brown silk dress with white pattern, 1989, presented to my mom by her mother-in-law.