Entertainment : Raisa to Skip Styles on Paris Visit

Raisa Gorbachev, the photographers’ darling when her husband first visited France four years ago, will be taking a back seat this time round.

The stylish Soviet First Lady caused a stir in 1985 by showing an unprecedented interest in French style, visiting both the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin fashion houses. But Soviet press officials, who are still keeping secret the finer details of the couple’s three-day visit to France starting Tuesday, indicate that she will be playing a much more subdued role this time. They say no fashion stops or extravagant shopping sprees are planned during the Paris stint.

“It’s just my personal opinion, but I think she’s visited far too many fashion houses in the past--it’s a 48-hour official visit and it should be strictly business,” a Soviet press spokesman said.