What’s more Russian than a matryoshka - a set of wooden dolls nested one inside another. Traditionally each doll is dressed in an elaborately painted dress, complete with gold or silver designs. Now you can find Harry Potter stuffed inside Darth Vader.

The iconic stereotype is alive and well around the world. It seems to draw on the concept of layers of meaning as well as trending nostalgia for the 90’s.Netflix has just renewed  “Russian Doll,” a dark-ish comedy about a girl who keeps reliving her birthday.  Games are plugging into a new adventure game From Matryoshka with Love.

So what’s it like in actual Russia? Granted, you can find all sorts of matryoshkas in souvenir stores as well as little stalls around downtown. They’re also working hard promoting everything from coffee shops to grocery stores to high fashion. Truly, a doll of many meanings.

A wide selection by Nevsky Prospect metro station. 

Matryoshkas + Starbucks = global coffee love

Nothing says supermarket like jolly matryoshkas.

For 300 Rub, you can paint your own on a mug.

Celebrities as matryoshkas in the windows of Babochka fashion boutique.