4 legendary fashion designers who visited the USSR (PHOTOS)
The red country of the Soviets captivated the imagination of famous couturiers with its unique aesthetic. Many of them even traveled behind the Iron Curtain to Moscow, befriended Soviet celebrities and created collections inspired by their trips.
1. Elsa Schiaparelli
Today, fashion enthusiasts worldwide wear Schiaparelli's iconic designs. But, few know that the designer herself created clothing for millions of Soviet women back in the 1930s.
Sketch of a costume for Soviet women by Elsa Schiaparelli
In May 1935, a French Trade Exhibition was held in Moscow, featuring a large delegation led by former French Prime Minister Édouard Herriot. Among the participants was Elsa Schiaparelli. She was tasked with developing affordable clothing for Soviet women. And it was her model who opened the fashion show at the new House of Models on Sretenka Street.
Little black dress for Soviet women made by Elsa Schiaparelli
However, that modest black dress never actually went into mass production in the USSR.
2. Yves Saint Laurent
He was one of the first major couturiers to bring his collection to Soviet Moscow. In June 1959, he arrived with 12 models to present French fashion to a Moscow audience.
Dior models arrive with Yves Saint Laurent in Moscow
Later, the designer became friends and collaborated with famous ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, creating many outfits for her performances.
In 1986, Lauren attended his solo exhibition in Moscow that was dedicated to the 28th anniversary of his career.
Yves Saint Laurent at the exhibition devoted to him in Moscow
The following year, the exhibition was also held at the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).
3. Thierry Mugler
Thierry Mugler with models in Moscow, 1990
He first visited the USSR in 1985. His main goal was to meet famous Soviet designer Slava Zaitsev, who was also quite well-known in the West. But, the Frenchman also took many conceptual photographs of Moscow. In the 1990s, Mugler returned to present his latest clothing collection.
Rumor has it that it was no coincidence Mugler released his now-iconic fragrance Angel in a star-shaped bottle. He was allegedly inspired by the Soviet red stars on the Moscow Kremlin towers.
4. Pierre Cardin
Pierre Cardin in Moscow, 1986
In the 1980s, with the start of ‘perestroika’ and the fall of the Iron Curtain, many Western designers began visiting the USSR. Pierre Cardin was no exception; his love affair with Russia lasted for decades.
Models show Pierre Cardin new collection in Moscow, 1989
In the 1980s, the designer also met with Slava Zaitsev, frequently held fashion shows (his outfits were modeled by, among others, ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, with whom Cardin had a long history of collaboration) and even signed a cooperation agreement with the Soviet Minister of Light Industry.
