Black model remembers time in Russia during Cold War

[Number23]

1. Wow. How interesting!

"Chester was a model for the American National Exhibition in Moscow, a seven-week event in the summer of 1959, designed to give Russians an intimate look at American life.

...Chester was among the 47 professional and amateur models selected for the Moscow-bound fashion show. The show was one of several installations at the exhibition, which took place on 11 acres of the park. Other attractions included a model American home -- which sparked the Kitchen Debate between Khrushchev and U.S. Vice President, Richard Nixon -- a cosmetics display from makeup maven, Helena Rubinstein and panorama of the American Landscape.

The 35-minute fashion show, produced by Leonard Hankin, vice president of Bergdorf Goodman, featured scenes from American life including a backyard barbecue and a civil wedding ceremony. The fashions included shirtwaist dresses, bathing suits, evening gowns and pants."

Never knew such a thing ever existed.