Another week, another Russian spy unmasked. After the arrests of the Russian spy ring operating in New York City a few weeks ago, a young Russian women, a beautician living in the suburbs of Dallas, has just been arrested and charged with trying to smuggle state-of-the-art military equipment out of the United States. Perhaps I've watched too many James Bond flicks over the years but looking at the images of the suspects in question, I'm rather disappointed in just how utterly unglamorous the average Russian spy seems to be.
Yes, I'm fully aware that the point of being an undercover agent is to blend into the woodwork and not attract attention to yourself. Still, wouldn't they have been more effective spies had they been a little more seductive? A little more pulled together in their appearance? Even the purported "femme fatale" of the group, Anna Chapman, didn't seem quite right with an overall look that suggested "upper middle class Mid-Westerner" more than Manhattan sophisticate. In other words, she lacked that certain hard-edged, slightly brittle veneer that defines Manhattan chic.
Given what's at stake, one would think their government might have invested a little more in perfecting their cover. A simple subscription to American Vogue with its constant parade of Upper East Side socialites would probably have done the trick. Next time, perhaps the KGB will invest in the services of a good stylist. It did wonders for Sarah Palin. Of course, the right look won't necessarily make them smarter spies.
Sincerely,
The Luxe Chronicles
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