Stiliagi and Soviet Masculinities, 1945–2010

Fashion as Dissent

Alla Myzelev

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Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Manchester University Press
06 January 2026

Series: Studies in Design and Material Culture

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the Stiliagi, the Soviet Union's pioneering youth subculture from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. Characterized by their distinctive Western-influenced fashion, affinity for jazz, and resistance to Soviet ideological conformity, the Stiliagi represented a significant cultural shift in post-war Soviet society. The book examines how this subculture, through its embrace of alternative masculinities and nonconformist behaviours, challenged prevailing social norms and influenced Soviet cinema, theatre, and broader cultural discourse. Drawing on rigorous research, the book situates the Stiliagi within the broader context of Soviet and Post-Soviet history, arguing that their legacy persisted well beyond their absorption into mainstream culture. Essential reading for scholars of Soviet history, cultural studies, and subcultural movements, this work offers a nuanced understanding of the Stiliagi's enduring impact on Soviet identity and cultural resistance.

By: Alla Myzelev
Imprint: Manchester University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 240mm, Width: 170mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 733g
ISBN: 9781526182197
ISBN 10: 152618219X
Series: Studies in Design and Material Culture
Pages: 244
Publication Date: 06 January 2026
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Alla Myzelev is Professor of Art History and Museum Studies State University of New York at Geneseo