Ivanovo has an ancient and interesting history, but in Russia and in the whole world it’s famous first of all as a center of textile industry and as the city of brides. These two points are inseparably interconnected. The first manufacture appeared here already in 1742, and in the 19th century Ivanovo concurred with Polish Lodz for a title of the main textile manufacture center in Europe.

Why is Ivanovo called the city of brides? The reason is that mostly young women worked on textile factories. This created an original image of the city that is represented even on the city’s emblem – a young woman with a spinning wheel. The World War II only made a demographical imbalance stronger. Even today there are 1347 women for 1000 men, while an average factor in Russia is 1000:1158. Besides, this city occupies the 3d place in Russia according to a number of institutes and universities, and, consequently, young girls who are students. There are more of them only in Moscow and St. Petersburg

Why and how could this demographical imbalance make many Ivanovo brides stay old maids? The reason is that since the first half of the 10th century the textile branch that had already dominated here started its rapid development. In Ivanovo itself, in regional cities and villages new textile, weaving, and finishing factories are developed and built. They need such a number of mainly women’s working hands that the region is still unable to cover this deficiency. That was the moment when a flow of girls from the whole Russia rushed to Ivanovo. According to statistics of that time, twenty thousand of potential brides appear in Ivanovo annually. This is without taking into account young beauties who come to enter Ivanovo educational establishments.

What is the concept of Russian women’s beauty? A natural attractiveness, femininity or sexuality? Or is it a special charm or magnetism, mysterious character or a gentle inner world? Yes, nature gifted Russian ladies generously. They have splendid bodies and tempting curves. Not many people can stay indifferent when they see these long-legged blue-eyed beauties of a model appearance. However, it’s not the main thing that can be found in girls from Russia

That is how a serious problem for local powers appeared. An acute deficit of fiancés and an abundance of lonely mothers and old maids made them start building of some factories in Ivanovo and the region. It defused the problem to some extent, but didn’t solve it completely. Ivanovo was and still is a city of lonely brides. Russian cosmonauts and outstanding commanders, scientists with world names and sportsmen, artists and actors found wives for themselves here.