A celebrity-studded nightclub party in Moscow, featuring guests in almost no clothing has caused an uproar in Russia and beyond.
The party, held at G.I. Club over the weekend was populated by both Russian and international celebrities and featured costumes that ranged from skimpy to barely there. The event, spread out over multiple floors, was described as being similar to a “playroom or an amusement park”, with women, in particular, pushing the boundaries of what was socially acceptable.
The event was characterized by “drunken revelry with a strong undercurrent of sexual objectification”, according to one observer. Some attendees wore only lingerie, while others posed in barely-there clothing.
The party sparked an immediate online backlash as pictures and videos of the night circulated. Many people were outraged and felt that the event was exploitative, promiscuous, and deeply misogynistic. Members of the Russian Orthodox Church were particularly vocal in their condemnation, and have been leading online campaigns against G.I. Club and those who attended the event.
One woman from the party, who has been identified only as “Alesya” by the Russian press, was even questioned by police after online comments questioned why the police had not taken any action against her for being in public “almost naked”.
The organizers of the party have apologized “for the impression that this event created”, but many feel that this is not enough, and that perpetrators should be held accountable for their actions.
The strong public reaction to this event shows that many Russians and people across the world are tired of seeing women’s bodies treated as objects of amusement and desire. There is a growing feeling that events like this should not be tolerated and that those responsible should be held to account. It remains to be seen what effect this will have on the Russian club scene, and how G.I. Club will respond to the backlash it has received.
