Traditional Russian dolls dressed by popular fashion designers have gone on display in Moscow. The 31 dolls, known as Matryoshkas, had previously been auctioned for more than 700,000 euros to raise money for charity. The event drew hundreds of fashion lov

The doll has become a muse for some of the world's most renowned fashion designers, including Roberto Cavalli, Ralph Lauren and Prada.

The designer-dressed Matryoshka stands 50 centimeters tall. Naomi Campbell says it is a fusion of Russian culture and European elegance.

“This doll has been in the history of your country for centuries,” she said. “It’s great. It’s been slim all the way down. Now it’s designed by designers we all know and brands we all love and know. It’s a great idea. And it’s great to be part of it.”

The work involved in making the traditional Russian doll requires immense technical skill. Some of the country’s most experienced craftsmen hand-painted the dolls according to the designers' sketches.

“The hardest task for me when hand-painting Matryoshkas was to reflect the mood of the designer, to show what the designers wanted to say in their work,” said one of the makers, Maria Ershova.

Thanks to the designers’ creativity the nesting doll has undergone a major makeover: she's lost weight and gained height. Now dressed for success, the Matryoshka has every chance of becoming a role model for fashionable women.