NO TALENT CRISIS AT RUSSIAN FASHION WEEK

The most renowned Russian Fashion Week (RFW) yet closed this weekend with a fully packed show by an edgy, Russian brand, Chistova&Endourova, one of the most visited shows of the fashion week. On April 5, RFW announced names of the Russian designers who will participate in the upcoming Milano Moda Donna this September as part of the existing agreement with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI).

RFW Fall-Winter 09/10 hosted almost 50 shows over 7 days in the renovated Congress Hall of World Trade Center turning Moscow into one of the globe’s hottest destinations from March 29 to April 4. Just as it has every season, RFW showcased the most famous and edgy Russian and former USSR designers who are currently defining and developing Russian Fashion: ARNGOLDT, PARFIONOVA, Julia Dalakian, Viva Vox, Lena Makashova and Irina Hakamada, Chistova&Endourova, BIRYUKOV, POUSTOVIT, Masha Kravtsova, Lena Karnaukhova, Anna Direchina and others.

Russian Fashion guru Slava Zaitsev, the nicknamed Russian Red Dior, officially opened RFW FW 09/10 with his outstanding haute couture show dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of Dyagilev’s seasons in Paris. On the last day of RFW Slava Zaitsev presented his Pret-a-porter de luxe FW 09/10 collection for 700 guests. «Being a truly Russian designer, I am happy to showcase on Russian Fashion Week in Moscow», says Slava Zaitsev who turned 71 this year. Slava, Russia’s most famous couturier, was inspired by his extremely successful presentations on RFW and plans to present his outstanding show in Europe’s capitals in the following months, including Paris and Berlin.

Another key show at RFW was the one by Jean Charles de Castelbajac. For the first time exclusively at Russian Fashion Week, the French fashion legend JC/DB presented his recent collection that wowed both the audience and the press. «It is my first time at Russian Fashion Week and I think it is really amazing!» — says JC de Castelbajac. JC/DB also took part in the cooperation between RFW and Lifeline Charity Foundation having painted a picture that was given as a present to the Foundation and later will be sold at an auction aimed at raising funds for an operation for a little girl who is seriously ill.

On March 29, three upcoming Italian designers — a. VE, Chicca Lualdi BeeQueen and Leitmotiv — participated with a collective show at RFW. This show was a part of the long-term strategic partnership between RFW and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. The show was followed by a press-conference by Alexander Shumsky, RFW President and the RFW honored guest Mario Boselli, CNMI President. In autumn 2009, three Russian designers — participants of RFW — will present their new SS/10 collections at Milano Moda Donna. «This exchange strengthens the significant cooperation between Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and Russian Fashion Week that started in 2005 with the first Italian fashion show ever hosted within the Russian schedule," said Mario Boselli.
On March 30 RFW audiences witnessed shows by Spanish designers Maria Lafuente and Toni Francesc who has become a regular participant at RFW.

This season RFW has extended TV coverage. Russian Fashion Week was broadcasted live on the World Fashion Channel and Russia Today Television, both reaching out to more than 300 million households worldwide. All RFW shows were available live online at www.rambler.ru, the most popular Russian search engine, which reaches 20 million Russian internet users.
«Russian Fashion Week becomes stronger every season despite the crisis. RFW was shortened by 10 participants this season, but all key Russian Fashion names are in the lineup», says Alexander Shumsky, President of Russian Fashion Week. «RFW estimated almost 40.000 in attendance this season, including hundreds of buyers and celebrities, and 900 accredited journalists. All collections were very strong, so media coverage is very wide. RFW is really showcasing the elite of Russian Fashion».

Past years have established Russian Fashion Week as a major date on the world’s fashion calendar, just behind New York, London, Milan and Paris. RFW puts Moscow on the global stage every April and October, and is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Russian Fashion Foundation and the Russian Union of Businessmen and Entrepreneurs.