Vyacheslav Zaitsev (fashion designer)
Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Zaitsev. Born March 2, 1938 in Ivanovo. Soviet and Russian fashion designer, painter and graphic artist, teacher, professor. Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1991). People's Artist of the Russian Federation (2006). Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation (1996).
Father - Mikhail Yakovlevich Zaitsev.
Mother - Maria Ivanovna Zaitseva.
He studied at Ivanovo secondary school No. 22.
In 1956 he graduated from the Ivanovo Chemical-Technological College with a degree in textile design.
In 1962 he graduated with honors from the Moscow Textile Institute. Then he was assigned to the Experimental and Technical Clothing Factory of the Mosoblsovnarkhoz in the city of Babushkin and was appointed its artistic director.
At the very beginning of his activity, he created a collection of overalls for women workers in the region and the village, which was rejected by the methodological council. Soon it was published by the Pari Match magazine with the article "He dictates fashion to Moscow." Three years later, in 1965, the author of the collection, which never saw the light of day, was tracked down by Pierre Cardin and Marc Boan (Dior) on this article. During the time preceding the meeting, Zaitsev managed to prove himself in creating fashionable women's clothing for the trading network of the capital and the region, he was invited to the position of artistic director of the experimental and technical workshop of the All-Union House of Fashion Models on Kuznetsky Most. Having familiarized themselves with the work of their young colleague from the USSR, famous Parisian couturiers, including Guy Laroche, who was present at the meeting, actually recognized him as their worthy colleague in the profession. The result of their meeting was the article "Kings of fashion" in the newspaper WWD.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev worked in the ODMO on the Kuznetsky Most for thirteen years, completing his activities as deputy artistic director of the ODMO, which he was from 1972 to 1978.
The result of his work in the ODMO was: the demonstration of his famous "Russian Series" (1965-1968), a collection of Russian folk motifs from Ivanovo chintz (1976) and other proposals as part of the consolidated collections of the ODMO abroad (in the USA, Canada, Japan. France , Yugoslavia, Italy and many other countries), but these shows, which are fundamentally important for the artist's creative activity, always took place without the participation of the author.
In 1967 he received the Grand Prix for a dress under the motto "Russia" at the World Fashion Festival in Moscow.
Since the late 1960s, Zaitsev began to be perceived in the West as the leader of Soviet fashion, his high authority was expressed in the name assigned to him in the Western press. "Red Dior", which emphasized the organic connection of the unique art of the fashion designer with the best traditions of world fashion.
In 1974, the Czechoslovak magazine "Quety" in the "Fashion Review for 100 Years" in the gallery of portraits of prominent fashion artists of the world (Frederic Worth, Paul Poiret, Gabrielle Chanel, Christian Dior) next to the name of Dior names Vyacheslav Zaitsev.
Many of his projects found support abroad. So, in 1976, the well-known Czechoslovak firm "Jablonex" accepted his author's work - sketches of costume jewelry, linking their implementation with the decoration of his own collections. The consequence of this was Zaitsev's personal exhibitions in Jablonec, Brno and Karlovy Vary.
Having left the House of Fashion Models on Kuznetsky Most, he soon associates himself with the factory No. 19 indoshiva, on the basis of which he works on the fashion assortment of the newly opened Fashion House on Prospekt Mira, 21, whose artistic director he becomes in 1982, and in 1988 on general meeting of the collective is unanimously elected as its director. It is here that since 1982 to this day the master has been creating author's collections of Pret-a-Porter and Haute Couture models, known far beyond the borders of our country, constantly searching for the style of his company, the style that distinguishes and makes any of his products recognizable.
Along with fashion, he invariably paid serious attention to painting and drawing in his work. The easel art of a fashion designer is not an auxiliary means of fashion: it has an independent artistic value. The highly aesthetic plasticity of Vyacheslav Zaitsev expresses generalized philosophical concepts, associations, and more often: feelings, moods, sensations of the author. The materials he prefers are pastel, pencil, felt-tip pen. The works are decorative, resonant in color, set and successfully resolve complex semantic and formal tasks.
Personal exhibitions of V. M. Zaitsev were repeatedly held in the USA (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles), in Belgium (Berzel, Kortrek), in Estonia (Tallinn). Five paintings and graphic works by V. M. Zaitsev belong to the State Tretyakov Gallery. Models from the collection “How young we will be” were purchased by the Museum of the History of Moscow.
He worked a lot on the creation of costumes for films. As a costume designer, he took part in the creation of paintings at the Mosfilm studios and them. Gorky: "The Magician", "Hold on to the Clouds", "Hello, Circus", "Nameless Star".
In 1988, he made costumes for the soloists of one of the Broadway theaters, which staged the musical "Sophisticated Ladies" to the music of Duke Ellington.
A significant and long-term area of creative activity of Vyacheslav Zaitsev is theatrical costume, scenography, theatrical poster.
In 1981, for the production of Chekhov's play "The Cherry Orchard" by Galina Volchek in the GDR (Weimar) and Hungary (Budapest), he was invited as a costume designer, and he also made theater posters for the same performances.
For more than two dozen performances in the capital's theaters, the fashion designer created stage costumes: Theater of Satire ("Crazy Day, or The Marriage of Figaro", "Her Excellency"), Moscow Art Theater ("The Last", "That Strange Mrs. Savage", "It's All Over"), Theater Vakhtangov (Princess Turandot, The Ides of March, Richard III), Mossovet Theater (Luigi's Heart), Sovremennik (Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard, Anfisa, Lorenzaccio) , “Who is afraid of Virginia Woolf?”), “Romen” (“Hello, Pushkin”, “We are gypsies”).
Vyacheslav Zaitsev is the creator of unique costumes for the avant-garde performance "Lesbians of the Tsunami Noise" based on the play by Mikhail Volokhov.
In 2013, Vyacheslav Zaitsev created the costumes for the play The Queen of Spades at the Maly Theater (directed by Andrey Zhitinkin). He created costumes for a number of theater performances in other cities, including for the Hermitage Ballet Theater in St. Petersburg.
For a long time he worked on creating costumes for pop stars and figure skating champions, "dresses" the members of the Soviet sports delegation at the 1980 Olympics and creates a new uniform for the Soviet police.
Since 1989, he has created many costumes for the Na-Na group, he has collaborated with the group leader for many years, since the 1970s, he created a collection of costumes for his rock band Integral.
He also created stage costumes for Tamara Sinyavskaya, the ensembles Gaia, Time Machine, etc.
For a long time he was engaged in pedagogical activity. Since 1976 - Associate Professor of the Department of Clothing Modeling, Faculty of Applied Arts, Moscow Technological Institute (now - Moscow State University of Service). In 1992-1996, he was a professor at the Department of Clothing Modeling, Faculty of Applied Arts, Moscow Technological Institute (now Moscow State University of Service).
Wrote books "Such a fickle fashion" And "This many-sided world of fashion". Both came out in 1980, and in 1983 they were re-released in Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia.
In 1993, he became the founder and head of the jury of the annual Textile Salon competition (Ivanovo). He acted as the initiator and trustee of the competition "Talent" (Ivanovo).
In 1994, he created and headed the jury of annual competitions: professional fashion designers named after. Nadezhda Lamanova (Moscow), children's theaters of fashion "Golden Needle" (Moscow) and young fashion designers and costume designers "Exercise". In 1995, he was artistic director and chairman of the jury of the annual Velvet Seasons in Sochi competition.
From July 30, 2007 to November 20, 2009, he hosted the television program Fashion Sentence on Channel One.
Since 2009 - chairman of the jury of the international fashion festival "Gubernsky style".
Vyacheslav Zaitsev is an honorary citizen of Paris and his native Ivanovo.
Disease of Vyacheslav Zaitsev
In early 1971, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich got into a car accident, after which he recovered for a long time.
He recalled: “When they told me that they would cut off my right leg, I even resigned myself, came up with a new image for myself. I imagined how in a black hat, white shirt, black glasses and with a stick I would walk along the Kuznetsk bridge. But I trained like hell in my head, because I knew: you need to live.
Despite the disappointing diagnosis, the fashion designer managed to save his leg and restore his health. Moreover, this tragedy completely changed his life and even tempered his character. “Before the accident, I considered myself extremely infantile. And then he managed to refuse painkillers, in fact - drugs. Because I saw: the man who was lying next to me in the ward, under their influence, jumped out of the window. I deliberately tested myself then. And it turned out that I can be courageous, ”in an interview.
At the time of the accident, Zaitsev was 33 years old. For nine days he had to be in intensive care, and then for six months he did not part with crutches.
The consequences of the accident made themselves felt throughout the rest of his life.
In early 2016, he underwent surgery on his knee joint - he was given a titanium prosthesis so that he would not experience pain when walking. Passed a course of rehabilitation in Karlovy Vary.
“Every month I go to Paris, where I have a small studio apartment,” Zaitsev shared. “I got it for the first fee received from cooperation with the famous cosmetic company. So I go to pay utility bills - about 400 euros per month. In addition, in the capital of fashion and beauty, I am looking for new interesting fabrics, accessories, additions for future collections,” he said.
The couturier prefers his beloved suburbs to rest on the seas and oceans: “I have seven acres of land in the Shchelkovsky district, next to it is a river. Beauty is extraordinary! This is not so much a country house as my creative center or even a museum-estate. Zaitsev keeps all his awards and gifts there, a myriad of magazines, paintings, sketches, fabrics, photographs and books.
Filmography of Vyacheslav Zaitsev:
1982 - You can't forbid living beautifully - cameo
1984 - And again the finest hour! (documentary)
1986 - How to become a star - episode
1987 - This fantasy world. Issue 12 (film-play) - train passenger
1997 - Ship of twins - Volkov
2005, 2016 - Regina Zbarskaya. Body of State Importance (documentary) - fashion designer
2005 - Russian artist Alexei Shmarinov (documentary)
2006 - How the idols left. Claudia Shulzhenko (documentary)
2006 - Life is beautiful (documentary)
2007 - Soviet beauty. The fate of a fashion model (documentary)
2007 - Why did my love survive you ... (documentary)
2008 - Actors of the same role (documentary)
2009 - Fairy beauties. Life after fame (documentary)
2009 - Nikolai Karachentsov. Love has no price (documentary)
2010 - Catherine III (documentary)
2011 - Fashion for the people (documentary)
2011 - Antique clock - cameo
2012 - Goddesses of socialism (documentary)
Scenography by Vyacheslav Zaitsev:
1963 - Costumes for the play "Princess Turandot", Vakhtangov Theater
1965 - Costumes for the play "Luigi's Heart", Mossovet Theater
1966 - Costumes for the play "This Strange Miss Savage", Moscow Art Theater
1967 - Costumes for the movie "The Magician"
1971 - Costumes for the movie "Hold on to the Clouds"
1973 - Costumes for the play "Crazy Day, or the Marriage of Figaro", Theater of Satire
1976 - Costumes for the play "Richard III", Vakhtangov Theater
1978 - Costumes for the TV movie "Nameless Star"
1979 - Costumes for the play "Her Excellency", Theater of Satire
1980 - Costumes for the play "It's over", Moscow Art Theater
1981 - Costumes for the play "The Last", Moscow Art Theater
1982 - Costumes for the play "The Cherry Orchard", "Contemporary"
1986 - Costumes for the play "Lorenzaccio", "Contemporary"
1988 - Costumes for the musical "Sophisticated Ladies" to the music of Duke Ellington, Broadway, New York
1990 - Costumes for the play "Anfisa", "Contemporary"
1991 - Costumes for the play "The Ides of March", Vakhtangov Theater
1991 - Costumes for the play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", "Contemporary"
2001 - Costumes for the play "Three Sisters", Sovremennik Theater
2015 - Costumes for the performances of the State Maly Theater: The Queen of Spades, Masquerade, Youth of Louis XIV
Vyacheslav Zaitsev's clothing collections:
1963 - A collection of overalls for workers in the region and the village, 1962 (rejected by the Methodological Council of the ODMO, the article "He dictates fashion in Moscow", the magazine "Paris Match");
1965-1968 - "Russian Series", (displays of ODMO in the USA, Canada, Japan without the presence of the author);
1969 - Collection of models of women's clothing from fabrics based on chemical fibers of the Selanese corporation, 1969 (shows at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, without the presence of the author);
1976 - A collection of jewelry commissioned by the Yabloneks company (shows of author's collections of clothes and jewelry in the cities of Czechoslovakia);
1976 - Collection of models based on Russian folk motifs from Ivanovo prints;
1980 - Collection of models for the USSR national team at the XX Olympic Games;
1984 - Collection of models for the industrial exhibition of the USSR in Zagreb, 1984 (shows without the participation of the author);
1985 - Collection of models for the world exhibition Expo-85 in Tsikubo, Japan, (shows without the participation of the author);
1986 - A collection of models for a mixed show within the framework of the Days of Culture of the USSR Pavilion at the World Exhibition of Promotional Equipment in Vancouver;
1987 - Collection of models "1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia", 1987-1988, (shows in Paris and New York);
1987 - Collection (guide) of models under a license agreement with Intertorg, 1987 (shows in the USA);
1987 - Collection of Haute Couture models "The Millennium of the Baptism of Russia";
1988 - Collection of models "Russian Seasons in Paris", 1988, (joint shows by Smadame Carvin at the Marigny Theater, Paris. Obtaining the right to show collections in the seasons of Haute Couture);
1988 - Collection of pret-a-porter models (together with Yegor Zaitsev) for the Soviet exposition of the World Exhibition "Expo-88", Australia, Brisbane;
1988 - Collection of models for the second joint show with Madame Carvin at the Galera Fashion Museum, Paris;
1988 - Collection of clothing models from European fabrics, leather and sheepskin coats as part of Fashion Week, Munich;
1989 - Collection of models of men's fashion, 1989 (shows at Men's Fashion Week in Florence);
1989 - V. M. Zaitsev is recognized as the "Man of the Year in the fashion world";
1990 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "The agony of perestroika";
1990 - Collection of models of women's clothing from domestic fabrics (show and victory at the summit "Five Outstanding Fashion Artists of the World", Tokyo);
1991 - Collection of models of the uniform of the National Guard and the Russian police;
1991 - Collection for the international gala show "United Germany", (shows in Berlin);
1992 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models "Nostalgia for Beauty";
1993 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1993/1994 "Dreams";
1994 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1994/1995 "Memories of the future";
1995 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1995/1996 "Awakening";
1995 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Plague";
1996 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Temptation";
1996 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1996/1997 "How young we will be" (acquired by the Museum of the History of Moscow);
1997 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1997/1998 "Event";
1998 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models "Paging through the memory of the page";
1999 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2000;
1999 - Collection of clothing models from fur pret-a-porter de luxe "Insight";
2000 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models "Secrets of Harmony";
2000 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2001;
2001 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Dedication";
2001 - Collection of models pret-a-porter 2002;
2001 - Collection of Haute Couture 2002 models;
2002 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Invasion";
2002 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2002/2003;
2003 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Divertissement";
2003 - Collection of models pret-a-porter 2004;
2004 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Nostalgia for the past times ...";
2004 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2005 "Improvisation";
2005 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models "Secrets of Temptation";
2005 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe 2006;
2006 - Collection of Haute Couture models "Stop a moment ...";
2006 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2006 "Playing with ...";
2006 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2007;
2006 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2006/2007 "Phantasmagoria";
2007 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models "Dedicated to Russia";
2007 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Chiaroscuro";
2007 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2008 "Do not part with your loved ones ...";
2007 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2007/2008 "Waiting for change";
2007 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe "Phantasmagoria";
2008 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2009;
2008 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2008/2009 "Origins";
2009 - Collection of Haute Couture models "Russian Modern. III Millennium";
2009 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2010 "Contrary!";
2009 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2009/2010;
2010 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2010/2011 "Metamorphoses";
2010 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2010/2011 "Breakthrough";
2011 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2011/2012 "Full Moon";
2011 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2012 "Spring Classic";
2012 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2012/2013 "Associations";
2012 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2013 "Nostalgia";
2013 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2013/2014 "Nostalgia-2";
2013 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2014 "At the crossroads";
2013 - Collection of Haute Couture 2014 models;
2014 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2014/2015 “Improvisation. 90...";
2014 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2015 "From the past to the future";
2015 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2015/2016 "Nocturne";
2015 - Collection of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2016 "Patterns of life";
2016 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models "Golden Age";
2016 - Collection (cruise) of models pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2016 "Exercise"
During his activity, Vyacheslav Zaitsev has earned a reputation as one of the most talented, hardworking and versatile domestic couturiers, which allowed him to gain recognition not only in our country, but throughout the world. The fashion house, headed by the designer, includes an experimental workshop where exclusive and unique wardrobe items are created, an atelier where every girl can order both a comfortable everyday outfit and a luxurious wedding dress, as well as a boutique with women's and men's collections, head dressings and ornaments. In addition, under the guidance of a fashion designer, the Fashion Laboratory operates - the only educational institution in our country that operates under the Fashion House.
The creative path of Vyacheslav Zaitsev
Vyacheslav Zaitsev began his difficult and thorny creative path in 1962, becoming the artistic director of an experimental and technical garment factory in the city of Babushkin. The first collection of the then unknown couturier did not go unnoticed in the fashion world. Overalls for the village workers consisted of bright padded jackets of various shades, colorful skirts and felt boots, which Zaitsev himself painted with gouache - Soviet society was not ready for such outrageous and bold outfits. Despite the fact that the collection was not accepted, thanks to foreign media, the name of the Russian designer became known to the whole world - it was during this period that French journalists nicknamed the designer "Red Dior".
Since then, Vyacheslav Zaitsev has become a key face of domestic fashion. In 1982, the great couturier managed to obtain permission from the authorities to open his own fashion house. Zaitsev became the first domestic designer whose clothes were supplemented with a name label. In addition, the talented fashion designer for the first time in our country, in tandem with L'Oreal, released his own perfume Maroussia, which was widely used not only in Russia, but throughout the world.
In 1988, the designer demonstrated his collection "Russian Seasons in Paris" in the world's fashion capital, which was another turning point in the couturier's creative life. In the near future, Zaitsev headed the Moscow Fashion House, received the Gold Medal of Paris and became an honorary citizen of this city, was named the winner at the Best Five Fashion Designers of the World festival in Japan, and, in addition, won many awards in his homeland. It is noteworthy that, despite the recognition of the designer's merits in Russia and abroad, Zaitsev was banned from leaving the country for several years. Until 1986, all the designer's collections were shown abroad without the participation of the creator.
Features of Zaitsev's fashion collections
Throughout his career, Vyacheslav Zaitsev remains true to classical Russian traditions. Natural forms, graceful silhouette, clear shoulder line, harmonious embroidery, weightless lace, elegant hats with large brim, massive jewelry, feminine high-heeled shoes - each wardrobe item created by the couturier symbolizes the beauty and grace of a Russian girl. An example of this is both the debut and the latest works of the designer. So, at Fashion Week in Moscow for the spring-summer 2013 season, Zaitsev presented the Nostalgia collection, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of his creative activity. Models showed discreet trouser suits and dresses from the 60s, bright printed outfits in the spirit of the 70s and sets of flashy shades from the 90s.
Working on the collection for the next season, Zaitsev again turned to past fashion eras. Woolen coats and pantsuits in the style of the 90s, ethnic-style outfits made of Indian fabrics, light satin dresses and theatrical models with corsets - once again the designer managed to combine restrained minimalism and bright pomposity.
The following year, the designer devoted his entire work to the 90s. In the collection "Improvisation. 90s…” featured jacket, skirt and coat sets, classic business-style trouser suits, laconic dresses and more spectacular floor-length evening models made of quilted fabrics.
Boundless talent and commitment to his ideas and values allow Vyacheslav Zaitsev to remain one of the most significant and influential figures in the history of Russian fashion for more than 50 years.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev is a Soviet and Russian fashion designer who rightfully owns the primacy in Soviet and Russian fashion. Vyacheslav Zaitsev, having no relevant industry, managed to create the very concepts of “high fashion” and “clothing design” in the Soviet Union. Today, Zaitsev is perceived as a great master of world significance. But something else is surprising - Western designers and couturiers saw a unique talent in Slava Zaitsev 30 years before compatriots considered it.
Childhood and youth
Vyacheslav was born in Ivanovo. It is not known whether the atmosphere of the city of brides influenced the decision of the future star to create fashionable clothes for women, but the young man quickly decided on the direction of his future professional activity. The profession of a designer put a romantic veil on the life of Vyacheslav Zaitsev, but it is impossible to name a simple biography of a fashion designer.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev was born into a poor family. The boy knew that his parents were forced into marriage, "by flight", and that his mother was unhappy in marriage. The boy's childhood fell on the war years, and the life of the future designer became even worse. My father went to the front, was taken prisoner, fled and reached Berlin, and after the war ended up in a camp as a former prisoner of war.
There was no food in the family, mother and son were picking berries in the forest. When Vyacheslav and his mother visited his father, the family was robbed, the woman went to the hospital, and the boy began to beg and sing at the store to get food.
Young designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev Nevertheless, Vyacheslav went to school, traveled to collective farms with the school team and sang, helped teachers draw posters. After graduating from a seven-year school, he enters the Ivanovo Chemical-Technological College, where he studies as a textile drawing artist.
Then - moving to Moscow and student years at the famous Moscow Textile Institute. According to the distribution, Vyacheslav Zaitsev was sent to the town of Babushkin near Moscow, where the experimental and technical clothing factory of the Mosoblsovnarkhoz was located. There, the young man created the first collection - overalls for rural workers, which were practical and comfortable, but at the same time feminine. Of course, the collection did not pass the test of the Soviet methodological department.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev and sketches of his collections This line of workwear attracted the attention of the Western press to the novice couturier. The collection was published by the French magazine Paris Match, and representatives and, later talking with a colleague from Moscow, unanimously recognized Vyacheslav Zaitsev as an equal. And although the Soviet designer was unable to leave the country until the end of the 1980s, in Europe Zaitsev has long been considered one of the world's leading designers.
Fashion and design
At the factory in Babushkino, Vyacheslav Zaitsev managed to prove himself more than convincingly, regularly offering new solutions in clothing design. As a result, he was invited to the Kuznetsky Most, where the famous All-Union House of Models was located. Vyacheslav Zaitsev worked there for 13 years and collaborated with the best fashion models, including Leka Mironova and Mila Romanovskaya.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev and his son YegorThe first result of Vyacheslav Zaitsev's work in the House of Models was the Russian Series collection, created according to folk motives. It also included the dress "Russia", which was shown by Zbarskaya at the World Fashion Festival and received the Grand Prix. After this dress, the Western press calls Zaitsev none other than "Red Dior".
There were many other successful developments, but by the mid-70s, Vyacheslav Zaitsev was extremely dissatisfied with the work. It depresses him that, due to the principles of the Soviet system, the sketches get to the factory too late, and when the consumer sees the product in the store, it is already hopelessly outdated. Vyacheslav comes to the conclusion that the work of a fashion designer in the USSR is not effective and meaningless, and eventually quits.
After the House of Models, the designer works in a tailor-made factory for the Fashion House, and later moves to this very House, where he becomes the artistic director. It is there that, since 1982, Vyacheslav Zaitsev has been creating his world-famous author's collections. The fashion designer is distinguished by a constant search for style and giving the forms and lines of clothing his own unique touch.
In 1992, Vyacheslav Zaitsev created his own "Laboratory of Fashion", a design academy at the Fashion House of Vyacheslav Zaitsev, and five years later an official website appeared at the forge of personnel.
Among the last images created by Zaitsev, especially remembered by the public, are a luxurious evening dress made of cream lace and a snow-white dress, as if descended from the painting “The Swan Princess”. Both outfits at Fashion Week in Moscow were demonstrated by Mrs. Russia Alisa Krylova.
Along with fashion, painting and drawing are of great importance in the work of Vyacheslav Zaitsev. His paintings have nothing to do with fashion design. They convey the emotions and feelings of the author, even his philosophical perception of life. Vyacheslav's works are decorative and always bright and original.
Personal exhibitions of art works by Vyacheslav Zaitsev have been repeatedly held in the cities of the United States, Belgium, France, Estonia. Five of his paintings, both pictorial and graphic, are constantly exhibited in the Moscow Tretyakov Gallery, and several canvases from the series “How Young We Will Be” can be seen in the Museum of Moscow History.
Another side of the work of the famous fashion designer is a stage costume for the theater and stage. Vyacheslav Zaitsev designed clothes for the Theater of Satire, the Moscow Art Theater, the Mossovet Theatre, Sovremennik and many others. Most often he was invited to give unusualness and uniqueness to the standard styles of classical plays.
And not only domestic directors wanted to cooperate with the famous fashion designer. He also performed commissions for several Broadway theaters. The most famous production, where the actors go out in outfits from Zaitsev, is the musical "Sophisticated Ladies".
Vyacheslav Zaitsev is working on a costume for world figure skating champion Natalya Bestemyanova He also made couturier costumes for cinema, pop stars, and athletes. It was Zaitsev who "dressed" the Soviet sports delegation at the Moscow Olympics-80. He also owns the development of the appearance of the Na-Na show group and the Integral rock group.
But Zaitsev was not limited to clothes alone. For example, for the play "The Cherry Orchard", which was staged on the German and Hungarian stages, Vyacheslav, in addition to costumes, designed stage posters and other scenery.
Personal life
At the age of 24, a beginner and little-known couturier married a girl from a wealthy and high-ranking family. The chosen one's name was Marina. Familiar girls were shocked that Marina preferred Vyacheslav Zaitsev, and not the famous diplomat or pilot, who constantly looked after the wealthy heiress. The Zaitsev couple lived together for three years and gave birth to a son, Yegor, who, by the way, would later follow in his father's footsteps.
The designer found out that his wife was leaving when he returned from Hungary, where he created costumes for the film. The divorce from his wife made a strong impression on Vyacheslav, as the designer sincerely treated Marina and loved his ex-wife for a long time after the breakup. The fashion designer also sought the right to see his son. At first, the child did not know that his mother was not giving Vyacheslav the opportunity to meet him, and believed that his father had abandoned him and was worried about this.
Problems in the family crippled the designer. Vyacheslav even got depressed on this basis. One of the employees of the House of Models named Inna, who had long been in love with a fashion designer, helped to get out of this state.
The lovers lived for some time in a civil marriage, after which they parted. But when Zaitsev got into a severe car accident and was in the hospital for a long time, Inna looked after him and helped in every possible way. Vyacheslav Zaitsev spent nine days in intensive care, then spent six months on rehabilitation.
The designer was badly injured in a car accident, the right leg was the worst, doctors have already begun to mentally prepare Vyacheslav and talk with the patient about amputation of the leg.
According to the designer, during this terrible period, Vyacheslav Zaitsev even managed to come to terms with the thought of losing his leg. The fashion designer came up with a new fashionable image for himself that would fit the new state: Vyacheslav Zaitsev imagined how he would walk along the Kuznetsky bridge in a black hat, black glasses, a white shirt and with a cane. But at the same time, Zaitsev did not stop training and rehabilitation, forbade himself to give up. As a result, doctors still saved the fashion designer's leg.
Later, Vyacheslav and Inna tried to renew their relationship, but the new union lasted only a year, and this time the separation was final. Vyacheslav Zaitsev did not try to create a family anymore.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev now
March 2, 2016 Vyacheslav Mikhailovich celebrated his 78th birthday. After the party, the couturier admitted to reporters that he had been suffering from a serious illness for several years - Parkinson's disease.
Due to illness, the designer had problems with his joints. Doctors even insisted on a titanium prosthesis. On the eve of the holiday, the designer underwent knee surgery and underwent a rehabilitation course in Karlovy Vary.
Health problems do not interfere with the creativity of the designer. In 2017, Vyacheslav Zaitsev traditionally opened the spring-summer 2018 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. Slava Zaitsev's collection came out in scarlet colors and retroshock style. The designer rethought Dior's classic silhouettes, diluting French trends with à la russe kitsch: kokoshniks, Pavlovo Posad shawls, folk ornaments.
Achievements
- 1980 - Commander of the Order of the Badge of Honor
- 1983 - winner of the medal "Veteran of Labor"
- 1991 - Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR
- 1992-1996 - Professor of the Department of Clothing Modeling, Faculty of Applied Arts, Moscow State University of Service
- 1993 - creator and head of the jury of the annual competition "Textile Salon"
- 1994 - creator and head of the jury of the annual competition of professional fashion designers named after Nadezhda Lamanova
- 1994 - creator and head of the jury of the annual competition of children's fashion theaters "Golden Needle"
- 1994 - creator and head of the jury of the permanent contest of young fashion designers and costume designers "Exercis"
- 1995 - creator, artistic director and chairman of the jury of the annual competition "Velvet Seasons in Sochi"
- 1996 - Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation
- 1998 - Commander of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree
- 2003 - laureate of the Presidential Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of literature and art
- 2006 - People's Artist of the Russian Federation
- 2007 - Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts
- 2009, 2010 - twice laureate of the Russian government award
The designer must be versatile. Creating images only for millionaires is boring, and it’s not so tricky. At first you work for your reputation, and then your reputation works for you. But everyone could, simultaneously with the storming of the world's podiums, not forget about their native country, about the relatively simple people? Vyacheslav Zaitsev is sure that “beauty is impossible without the beauty of the soul” and stylishly dresses both the beau monde and policemen, athletes and even schoolchildren.
Way to success
They say that most character traits are transmitted genetically, by inheritance. As for Vyacheslav, we will not be able to test this theory. He doesn't know much about his roots. He even jokes that he cannot tell his granddaughter about who her grandparents were. He says, they say, that the photographs, diaries, letters were not preserved, burned down or deteriorated under the influence of time. Only one thing is known - Slava's parents, Mikhail Yakovlevich and Maria Ivanovna Zaitsev, gave life to a real talent. How many awards, how many collections that won the hearts of fashionistas and fashionistas all over the world! Even if in the understanding of modern fashion you and Slava Zaitsev do not go along the way, he is definitely worth considering as a famous person in the fashion world.
Short biography of Vyacheslav Zaitsev:
2. He studied at the Ivanovo secondary school No. 22, then entered the Ivanovo Chemical-Technological College with a degree in textile design. Studying was easy for him, he graduated with honors. The Moscow Textile Institute in 1962 also did not become an obstacle on the way to the heights. Another diploma with honors, only now with a degree in fashion designer.
3. March 1962 - began to work as the artistic director of the Experimental and Technical Garment Factory in the city of Babushkin.
4. 1962-1965 - young Vyacheslav Zaitsev works as the artistic director of the experimental and technical workshop of the All-Union House of Fashion Models (Moscow). He creates fashionable women's clothing for retail chains in Moscow and the regions.
5. In 1965, for the first time, she presented the Russian Series collection abroad, which was not accepted in her native country, but foreign connoisseurs of fashionable novelties praised her very much. In the magazine "Paris Match" overalls for workers received laudatory reviews. His chintz colorful quilted jackets with an interesting decor attracted the attention of the public. The article "He dictates fashion to Moscow" became the first star in the sky of his success.
6. Prepares exhibitions for shows in America, Japan, Italy, France, Yugoslavia.
7. After the first step to popularity, Vyacheslav Zaitsev meets with Pierre Cardin, Guy Laroche and Marc Boan from Christian Dior.
8. Since 1969, he began to work as a theater designer, creating insanely interesting costumes for stage productions. Iosif Kobzon, Edita Piekha, Alla Pugacheva, Tamara Sinyavskaya, Philip Kirkorov, members of the Time Machine and Na-na groups dressed in his model.
9. In 1972, he received the position of deputy head of the All-Union House of Fashion Models, and already in 1978 he left to lecture at the modeling department at the Moscow Technological Institute.
10. 1980 - creates tracksuits for the team that participates in the Olympics. At the same time, two of his books are published: "This many-sided world of fashion" and "Such a changeable fashion." In the same year, together with Pierre Cardin, he took part in the International Symposium in Sofia.
11. 1982 - Vyacheslav Zaitsev creates the Fashion Theater, prepares collections of tracksuits for performances at the figure skating championship.
12. 1988 - becomes the director of the Moscow Fashion House.
13. 1997 - Head of the "Fashion Laboratory" at the Moscow Fashion House.
14. Since 2007 - Member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
15. 2007-2009 - host of the Fashion Sentence program.
As can be seen from the biography, the famous fashion designer never sat still. He has more than twenty awards, he not only creates clothing collections (and there are about forty in the archive), promoting the Russian style, but also creates in other areas - he paints, acts as a TV presenter, writes books. A comprehensively developed personality, full of ambitions, you can’t say otherwise. At least in this it is worth taking an example from him. Once back in Soviet times, he was called the "red Dior", but today they are already called the "dinosaur of fashion", an honored figure and master.
What is the phenomenon of Vyacheslav Zaitsev? He skillfully used the times when fashion became an independent art form, and was the first in the Soviet countries to present a fashion show as a theatrical performance. Models were shown according to a pre-conceived scenario, which unfolded as a drama or as a funny parody. He created a kind of synthetic genre that did not exist before. Dramaturgy, directing, acting, specially selected music - all this was organically woven into the display of the collection. At that time, it was a real creativity, a curiosity, a distinctive feature, a highlight of the work of Vyacheslav Zaitsev.
Today he continues to create collections and teach students at the Fashion Laboratory of Vyacheslav Zaitsev. It is here that talents are born and a brilliant career of young designers begins. In the Zaitsev Fashion House, you can not only buy ready-made clothes from the collections, but also order something for yourself, to your taste. The size did not fit - they will redo it, I want a consultation from the master - any whim for your money. Fashionable wishes come true here!
Vyacheslav Zaitsev was remembered not only for his Russian-style collections, but also for the development of uniforms for police officers in 1991 (for which he received only the title of Honored Artist, no material reward), as well as school uniforms in 2013, which caused a flurry of emotions - from positive to the most negative.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev spring-summer 2014
Vyacheslav Zaitsev also pleased his fans this season: his collection called "At the Crossroads" is a classic with a modern twist, strict silhouettes and bright colors, as well as the presence of different prints for every taste.
Fashionable spring-summer trends from "Slava Zaitsev", presented at the event "Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week":
quilted jackets and raincoats;
Classic cage print;
Geometric drawings (as a drawing on whatman paper);
Flower dresses;
Different types of hats;
Light flowing dresses and skirts;
Achromatic;
Pastel watercolor shades;
Bright colours.
Each show of Vyacheslav Zaitsev's collection is a small show. He managed to create something new and unique on the fashion catwalks of the country, to give impetus to other professionals, to teach young ambitious designers to follow their dreams. They talked about it, they talk about it and will talk about it. It doesn't even matter if it's positive or, conversely, negative. If they talk about you, it means that someone needs you. Zaitsev, despite his impressive age, continues to create, and this is commendable. Promoting the “a la rus” style, he reminds us of our roots, folk art still lives among the masses and provides a wide field for experimentation.
Photo: ria.ru, www.woman.ru, moda.ru, afisha-lj.livejournal.com, zaitsev.info
1. Collection "Origins"
2. Collection "Origins"
3. Alisa Krylova in a dress from the collection "Origins"
4. Alisa Krylova in a dress from the collection "Origins"
5. Collection "To the 100th anniversary of the Diaghilev seasons in Paris"
6. Collection "To the 100th anniversary of the Diaghilev seasons in Paris"
7. Collection "Metamorphoses"
8. Collection "Metamorphoses"
9. Collection "Metamorphoses"
10. Collection "Russian Seasons in Paris"
11. Collection "Russian Seasons in Paris"
12. outfit for Barbie from Vyacheslav Zaitsev
February 15 at the Museum of Modern Art "Erarta" opened exhibition-retrospective of Vyacheslav Zaitsev's work organized by the AFW Russia team as part of the Fashion Museum project. At the opening, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich recalled meetings with the legendary actresses of the past, took pictures with fans with pleasure, and instead of autographs, drew graphic portraits of everyone.
Before visiting the exhibition (and you can do this until April 15, ticket price - 300 rubles, for students - 200 rubles), we invite you to recall the maestro's legendary outfits.
1.2 - Collection "Origins" can be divided into two parts: the first - Russian "boyar", with rich embroideries, fur trims, luxurious hats, morocco boots and felt boots, and the second - in the spirit of the "Silver Age", with classic silhouettes and styles of the early 20th century.
Once again, the maestro extolled the national costume to the rank of haute couture.
3.4 - According to Alisa Krylova, winner of the contest "Mrs. Globe", it was the national outfit from the "Origins" collection that helped her to achieve victory. The victory was not easy, because the weight of the outfit was 10 kilograms.
5.6 - Exotic oriental fabrics and simplicity of cut Russian costume, an abundance of the finest handmade work, embroidery and expensive furs distinguish the collection dedicated to the centenary of Diaghilev's seasons.
7,8,9 - The Moscow public was shocked by the collection"Metamorphoses", which opened the Russian Fashion Week. The introductory part of the show was presented by handsome men in bodysuits, and transvestites were involved among the models. The collection as a whole is recreated according to the sketches of Vyacheslav Zaitsev of the 80s. "In the 80s, I created a collection that was then incomprehensible and premature," says the designer. In 2010, the motives of past years were in demand.
10-11 - In 1988, in Paris, at the invitation of Madame Carvin, the head of the famous House of Hares, presented his collection "Russian Seasons in Paris". The collection was greeted with triumph, subsequently awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Paris and the title of honorary citizen of Paris.
12 - On the occasion of the anniversary of the Barbie doll the international salon PRET A PORTER PARIS organized a world tour of the exhibition "Barbie and her accessories". Forever young doll appeared in 50 outfits from eminent designers from Europe and America. Russian outfits were presented by Vyacheslav Zaitsev, Andrey Bartenev, Vika Gazinskaya and Violetta Litvinova.