The legend of Russian fashion, famous fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev turned 78 years old on March 2. Despite the master’s venerable age, he is full of creative plans, which, however, he manages to implement with great difficulty due to serious health problems.
“I recently returned from a sanatorium in Karlovy Vary, where I went for the first time in my life. But then the need arose to treat his legs and Parkinson’s disease,” Vyacheslav Zaitsev admitted bitterly in an interview with journalists of the “You Won’t Believe It!” program. NTV channel. Parkinson's disease is a serious damage to the nervous system when a person loses control over his movements, which gradually leads to trembling of the arms and legs, impaired facial expressions and disability. “The only thing I would wish for myself on my birthday is to get well,” says the famous fashion designer. “The disease is what depresses me.”
By the way, at the buffet table that took place after the fashion show held on the occasion of Vyacheslav Zaitsev’s 78th birthday, he ate practically nothing. I just drank water and tried to sit down quickly. The master's joints are not in order. Zaitsev recently underwent surgery - he was given a titanium prosthesis so that he would not experience pain when walking.
During this difficult time, Vyacheslav Zaitsev is supported by his son Yegor, granddaughter Marusya and ex-wife Marina, whom they met while studying at the textile institute. The couple separated when their son was nine years old, but all these years they have maintained warm, friendly relations. Marina is perhaps the most worried about her ex-husband and regularly visits Vyacheslav Zaitsev, bringing him his favorite treat - raspberry pie. “Vyacheslav Mikhailovich’s mother-in-law, my mother, once baked it,” said the master’s ex-wife. – This is a puff pastry pie with a thick layer of raspberry jam and densely packed walnuts. Slava loves this pie very much.”
Despite the struggle with a serious illness, Vyacheslav Zaitsev does not intend to give up. He is preparing to release a new collection of fall-winter clothing and hopes that experts will be able to put him on his feet. “The doctors are very optimistic,” concluded Zaitsev. “They say that I am a cheerful, strong person and therefore everything will be great for me.”
Vyacheslav Zaitsev is a Soviet and Russian fashion designer who rightfully holds the lead in Soviet and Russian fashion. Vyacheslav Zaitsev, without having a corresponding industry, managed to create the very concepts of “high fashion” and “fashion design” in the Soviet Union. Today Zaitsev is perceived as a great master of worldwide significance. But something else is surprising - Western designers and couturiers saw a unique talent in Slava Zaitsev 30 years before their compatriots did.
Childhood and youth
Vyacheslav was born in Ivanovo. It is unknown 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 has imposed a romantic flair on the life of Vyacheslav Zaitsev, but it is impossible to call a simple biography of the fashion designer.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev was born into a poor family. The boy knew that his parents were forced into marriage, “by accident,” and that his mother was unhappy in her marriage. The boy’s childhood was during the war years, and the life of the future designer became even worse. My father went to the front, was captured, escaped and reached Berlin, and after the war he ended up in a camp as a former prisoner of war.
There was no food in the family, mother and son picked berries in the forest. When Vyacheslav and his mother were visiting their father, the family was robbed, the woman was taken to the hospital, and the boy began begging and singing outside the store to get food.
Young designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev Nevertheless, Vyacheslav went to school, traveled to collective farms with the school group and sang, helping teachers draw posters. After graduating from seven-year school, he entered the Ivanovo Chemical-Technological College, where he studied to become a textile artist.
Then - moving to Moscow and student years at the famous Moscow Textile Institute. According to the assignment, Vyacheslav Zaitsev was sent to the town of Babushkin near Moscow, where the experimental technical garment factory of the Moscow Regional Economic Council was located. There, the young man created his first collection - workwear for rural workers, which was practical and comfortable, but at the same time feminine. Of course, the collection did not pass the inspection 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 aspiring 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 their equal. And although until the end of the 80s the Soviet designer was unable to leave the country, 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 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 EgorThe first result of Vyacheslav Zaitsev’s work at the House of Models was the “Russian Series” collection, created based on folk motifs. It also included the “Russia” dress, which was demonstrated by Zbarskaya at the World Fashion Festival and received the Grand Prix. After this dress, the Western press calls Zaitsev nothing less than “Red Dior”.
There were many other successful developments, but by the mid-70s, Vyacheslav Zaitsev was extremely dissatisfied with the work. He is depressing that, due to the principles of the Soviet system, sketches reach the factory too late, and by the time 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 ineffective and meaningless, and eventually quits.
After the Fashion House, the designer works at a custom tailoring factory for the Fashion House, and later moves to this very House, where he becomes the artistic director. It was there that, starting in 1982, Vyacheslav Zaitsev created his world-famous author's collections. The designer is distinguished by a constant search for style and giving the shapes and lines of clothing his own unique touch.
In 1992, Vyacheslav Zaitsev created his own “Fashion Laboratory”, a design academy at the Vyacheslav Zaitsev Fashion House, and five years later the talent forge also had an official website.
Among the most recent images created by Zaitsev, especially memorable to the public, are a luxurious evening dress made of cream lace and a snow-white dress, as if straight out of the painting “The Swan Princess.” Both outfits were demonstrated by Mrs. Russia Alisa Krylova at Fashion Week in Moscow.
Along with fashion, painting and drawing play a significant role in the work of Vyacheslav Zaitsev. His paintings have nothing to do with clothing design. They convey the author’s emotions and feelings, even his philosophical perception of life. Vyacheslav's works are decorative and always bright and original.
Personal exhibitions of Vyacheslav Zaitsev's artistic works were repeatedly held in cities of the United States, Belgium, France, and Estonia. Five of his paintings, both pictorial and graphic, are permanently exhibited in the Moscow Tretyakov Gallery, and several canvases from the series “How Young We Will Be” can be seen in the Museum of the History of Moscow.
Another side of the famous fashion designer’s creativity is stage costumes for theater and stage. Vyacheslav Zaitsev designed clothes for the Satire Theater, Moscow Art Theater, Mossovet Theater, Sovremennik and many others. Most often, he was invited to add unusualness and uniqueness to the standard styles of classical plays.
Moreover, not only domestic directors wanted to collaborate with the famous fashion designer. He also performed commissions for several Broadway theaters. The most famous production, where the actors appear in outfits from Zaitsev, is the musical “Sophisticated Ladies”.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev is working on the costume of world figure skating champion Natalia 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 developed the appearance of the show group “Na-Na” and the rock group “Integral”.
But Zaitsev did not limit himself 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, the still aspiring and little-known couturier married a girl from a wealthy and high-ranking family. The chosen one's name was Marina. The girls I knew were shocked that Marina chose Vyacheslav Zaitsev rather than the famous diplomat or pilot, who constantly courted 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 learned that his wife was leaving after returning from Hungary, where he created costumes for the film. The divorce from his wife made a strong impression on Vyacheslav, since 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 began to experience depression because of this. One of the employees of the House of Models named Inna, who had long been in love with the fashion designer, helped to get out of this state.
The lovers lived for some time in a civil marriage, after which they separated. But when Zaitsev was in a serious car accident and was in the hospital for a long time, Inna looked after him and helped him in every possible way. Vyacheslav Zaitsev spent nine days in intensive care, then spent six months on rehabilitation.
The designer was seriously injured in a car accident, the worst was on his right leg, the doctors have already begun to mentally prepare Vyacheslav and talk to the patient about amputating his 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 himself walking 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, and 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 start a family anymore.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev now
On 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 - Parkinson's disease - for several years now.
Due to illness, the designer developed problems with his joints. Doctors even insisted on a titanium prosthesis. On the eve of the holiday, the designer underwent surgery on the knee joint and underwent a rehabilitation course in Karlovy Vary.
Health problems do not interfere with the designer’s creativity. In 2017, Vyacheslav Zaitsev traditionally opened the show for the spring-summer 2018 season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. The collection of Slava Zaitsev came out in scarlet tones and in retro shock style. The designer rethought Dior's classic silhouettes, diluting French trends with kitsch a la Russe: kokoshniks, Pavlovo Posad shawls, folk ornaments.
Achievements
- 1980 – Knight of the Order of the Badge of Honor
- 1983 – winner of the “Veteran of Labor” medal
- 1991 - Honored Artist 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 Textile Salon competition
- 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 competition of young fashion designers and costume designers “Exercise”
- 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 – Knight 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 Prize
Vyacheslav Zaitsev was born on March 2, 1938 in the city of Ivanovo. The boy grew up in a working-class family. My childhood passed during the war years and in conditions typical of that time. Vyacheslav’s father went to the front and the mother had to raise her son alone. The woman instilled an interest in the beauty of nature, the surrounding world, reading, and folk songs. In 1945 he went to Ivanovo secondary school, and in 1952 he continued his studies at the Chemical Technology College.
In 1956, Zaitsev received a diploma with honors, specializing in textile design. The profession chosen was traditional for Ivanovo, because it was precisely this that guaranteed work in the capital of chintz. However, Vyacheslav loved to draw since childhood. And at the technical school he was distinguished not only by his talent, but also by his diligence. Strict teachers set difficult tasks for students. They demanded not only the expressiveness of the lines on the fabric and the fullness of the design, but also the “revival” of the ornament. At the same time, while completing tasks, the future fashion designer constantly wondered how fabrics with his design would look on finished products.
Zaitsev decided to develop his skills and knowledge in Moscow, at the Textile Institute. He came to the capital in 1956 and turned out to be completely different from local applicants. The guy had different ideas about life, people, and art. Vyacheslav was immediately admitted to the Faculty of Applied Arts, specializing in clothing design. The young man knew that in Moscow he needed to rely only on himself, so he began to combine work with study, and in moments of free time he went to exhibitions, theaters and museums.
At the university, Vyacheslav Zaitsev not only mastered the skill of applied textile art as a professional calligrapher, but also studied drawing as the basis of graphics. In addition, he copied old Western and Russian masters, painted antiquity and Egyptian frescoes, as well as medieval ornaments and Persian miniatures. Already at the institute, Vyacheslav acted as a fashion designer and demonstrator of his clothes at the same time. Often he shocked fellow students and teachers with unusual silhouettes and color combinations. Russian folk art came under the close attention of Zaitsevo. The fashion designer traveled to ancient cities and studied the essence of art: proportions, color combinations, rhythm, color scheme.
In the 1950s, all artists had a poor understanding of world fashion. The necessary information was obtained from foreign magazines. During classes at the Theater Library, Zaitsev met famous fashion masters. He was impressed by Paul Poiret, Gabrielle Chanel, Christian Dior. Vyacheslav Zaitsev wanted to base his diploma on elegant clothes. But the fashion designer was given women's business suits. He coped with his task “excellently”.
Vyacheslav graduated from the Moscow Textile Institute in 1962 and was assigned to the city of Babushkin at the Experimental Technical Garment Factory of the Moscow Regional Economic Council for the position of artistic director. The designer immediately began creating a collection of clothes for working women in the region and villages. The cut and color scheme began to destroy stereotypes about the image of working women and after discussions the models were rejected. But the line was later published in Paris Match magazine along with an article entitled “He dictates fashion to Moscow.”
In 1965, using this article, Mark Boan and Pierre Cardin tracked down Vyacheslav. Before their meeting, the fashion designer showed himself well, and he was invited to the position of artistic director of the experimental technical workshop of the All-Union Fashion House in Moscow. Parisian couturiers got acquainted with the work of their colleague and recognized him as a professional.
Zaitsev worked at the Fashion House for thirteen years and ended his career there as deputy artistic director. Over the years, the fashion designer has done a great job of creating seasonal collections for light industry enterprises of the union. A group of artists led by Zaitsev took into account the level of industry, the quality of fabrics, the climate of the regions, and the age of consumers.
At the same time, Vyacheslav Zaitsev worked on his own models. From 1965 to 1968 he demonstrated the famous “Russian Series”, in 1976 collections from Ivanovo calico, consolidated collections in the USA, Japan, Canada, France, Yugoslavia and Italy. True, all the shows took place without the participation of the fashion designer himself.
At this time, Vyacheslav Zaitsev was perceived abroad as the leader of Soviet fashion; he was nicknamed “Red Dior” in the Western press. According to the Czechoslovak publication “Kvety” in the “Review of Fashion for 100 Years”, Zaitsev took pride of place in the gallery of portraits of outstanding fashion artists. His name stood on par with Paul Poiret, Gabrielle Chanel, Christian Dior.
The designer left the fashion house because under the system of multi-level councils, state standards and the fashion industry, the author's intention is distorted, models become obsolete in production before reaching the consumer. Vyacheslav Zaitsev began to engage in education, introduce people to the aesthetics of clothing, write, speak and organize fashion shows, drawing attention to fashion issues.
After this, the artist begins to collaborate with popular pop and theater artists. These are Muslim Magomayev, Tamara Sinyavskaya, Joseph Kobzon, Edita Piekha, Alexander Strelchenko, Alla Pugacheva, Lyudmila Zykina, Philip Kirkorov, “Time Machine”, “Na-na”. After the Fashion House, Zaitsev moved to a custom tailoring factory and began working on the assortment of the new Fashion House, of which he became artistic director in 1982. Six years later he was elected director. Later, the Fashion House became the first European-style Fashion House in the country and was named after Vyacheslav Zaitsev.
The first professional fashion theater in Russia opens in the Fashion House. The theater begins to successfully tour cities around the world. In 1996, Vyacheslav became president of OJSC Moscow Fashion House Zaitsev. Under his leadership, the Fashion Laboratory and Model Agency began to operate.
The designer designed clothes for Lyudmila Putina, Svetlana Medvedeva, leading Russian artists and athletes. In the summer of 2007, he headed the program on Channel One “Fashionable Sentence”, where he worked until mid-2009.
A significant and long-term area of Vyacheslav’s creative activity is theatrical costume, scenography, and theatrical posters. The designer created stage costumes for more than two dozen performances in the capital's theaters. Subsequently, Zaitsev created costumes for the play “The Queen of Spades” at the Maly Theater. He also created costumes for a number of performances in theaters in other cities, including for the Hermitage Ballet Theater in St. Petersburg.
Since 2009, Vyacheslav Zaitsev has been the chairman of the jury of the international fashion festival “Provincial Style”. In March 2013, on the occasion of the master’s 75th birthday, the Navona publishing group released Sergei Esin’s book “Slava Zaitsev: Master and Inspiration.” The fashion designer was awarded the titles “Honorary Citizen of Paris” and “Honorary Citizen of Ivanovo”.
In 2017, Vyacheslav Zaitsev traditionally opened the show for the spring-summer 2018 season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. The collection of Slava Zaitsev came out in scarlet tones and in retro shock style. The designer rethought Dior's classic silhouettes, diluting French trends with kitsch a la Russe: kokoshniks, Pavlovo Posad shawls, folk ornaments.
Awards and Recognition of Vyacheslav Zaitsev
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (1998)
Order of the Badge of Honor (November 14, 1980) - for great work in preparing and holding the Games of the XXII Olympiad
Medal for Labor Valor (1974)
Medal Veteran of Labor (1983)
VDNKh Gold Medal (1983)
People's Artist of the Russian Federation (2006)
Honorary title “Honored Artist of the RSFSR” (February 11, 1991) - for services in the field of fashion design and many years of fruitful work in promoting the art of clothing design
Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation (1996)
Prize of the President of the Russian Federation in the field of literature and art 2003
Twice laureate of the Russian Government Prize (2009, 2010)
Honorary Citizen of Paris
Honorary citizen of the Shchelkovsky municipal district of the Moscow region
Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (2007)
Medal of the Order of Ivan Kalita (Moscow region)
Medal “For Faith and Asceticism”, All-Russian Public Movement for Promoting the Spiritual Development of the Population “For Statehood and Spiritual Revival of Holy Rus'” (2015)
Breastplate of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation “For contribution to Russian culture” (2018)
Works of Vyacheslav Zaitsev
Collectography
1963 - Collection of workwear for women workers in the region and villages, 1962 (rejected by the Methodological Council of the ODMO, article “He dictates fashion in Moscow”, Paris Match magazine).
1965 - 1968 - “Russian Series” (ODMO screenings in the USA, Canada, Japan without the presence of the author).
1969 - Collection of women's clothing models made from fabrics based on chemical fibers from the Selanese Corporation, 1969 (displays at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, without the presence of the author).
1976 - Collection of costume jewelry commissioned by the Yabloneks company (displays of author's collections of clothing and jewelry in the cities of Czechoslovakia).
1976 - Collection of models based on Russian folk motifs from Ivanovo chintz.
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 (displays without the participation of the author).
1985 - Collection of models for the world exhibition Expo-85 in Tsikubo, Japan (displays without the participation of the author).
1986 - Collection of models for a mixed show as part of the Cultural Days of the USSR Pavilion at the World Exhibition of Promotional Media in Vancouver.
1987 - Collection of models “1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus'”, 1987-1988, (shows in Paris and New York).
1987 - Collection (guide) of models under a licensing agreement with Intertorg, 1987 (shows in the USA).
1987 - Collection of Haute Couture models “Millennium of the Baptism of Rus'”.
1988 - Collection of models “Russian Seasons in Paris”, 1988, (joint shows with Madame Carvin at the Marigny Theater, Paris. Obtaining the right to display collections in Haute Couture seasons).
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
1988 - Collection of clothing models made from European fabrics, leather and sheepskin coats as part of Fashion Week, Munich.
1989 - Collection of men's fashion models, 1989 (shows at Men's Fashion Week in Florence).
1989 - V. M. Zaitsev is recognized as “Person of the Year in the Fashion World.”
1990 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “The Agony of Perestroika”.
1990 - Collection of women's clothing models made from domestic fabrics (show and victory at the summit "Five Outstanding Fashion Artists of the World", Tokyo).
1991 - Collection of models of uniforms of the National Guard and 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 pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1993/1994 “Dreams”.
1994 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1994/1995 models “Memories of the Future”.
1995 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1995/1996 “Awakening” models.
1995 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Plague”.
1996 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Temptation”.
1996 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1996/1997 models “How young we will be” (acquired by the Museum of the History of Moscow).
1997 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 1997/1998 “Event” models.
1998 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Turning through the pages of memory.”
1999 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2000 models.
1999 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fur clothing models “Epiphany”.
2000 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Secrets of Harmony”.
2000 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2001 models.
2001 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Dedication”.
2001 - Collection of ready-to-wear models 2002.
2001 - Haute Couture 2002 collection.
2002 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Invasion”.
2002 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2002/2003 models.
2003 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Divertissement”.
2003 - Collection of ready-to-wear models 2004.
2004 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Nostalgia for times gone by...”
2004 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2005 “Improvisation” models.
2005 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Secrets of Seduction”.
2005 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models 2006.
2006 - Collection of Haute Couture models “Stop a moment...”
2006 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2006 models “Playing with...”
2006 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2007 models.
2006 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2006/2007 models “Phantasmagories”.
2007 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Dedicated to Russia.”
2007 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Charo and Shade”.
2007 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2008 models “Don’t part with your loved ones...”
2007 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2007/2008 models “Expectation of change.”
2007 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Phantasmagoria”.
2008 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2009 models.
2008 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2008/2009 “Origins”.
2009 - Collection of Haute Couture models “Russian Modern. III millennium."
2009 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2010 models “In spite of!”
2009 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2009/2010 models.
2010 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2010/2011 models “Metamorphoses”.
2010 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2010/2011 “Breakthrough” models.
2011 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2011/2012 “Full Moon” models.
2011 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2012 “Spring Classic” models.
2012 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2012/2013 “Associations” models.
2012 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2013 models “Nostalgia”.
2013 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2013/2014 models “Nostalgia-2”.
2013 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2014 models “At the Crossroads”.
2013 - Haute Couture 2014 collection.
2014 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2014/2015 models “Improvisation. 90..."
2014 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2015 models “From the past to the future.”
2015 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe fw 2015/2016 “Nocturne” models.
2015 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2016 models “Patterns of Life”.
2016 - Collection of pret-a-porter de luxe models “Golden Age”.
2016 - Collection (cruise) of pret-a-porter de luxe ss 2016 “Exercise” models.
Pedagogical and educational activities
1976 - Associate Professor of the Department of Clothing Modeling, Faculty of Applied Arts, Moscow Institute of Technology - now Moscow State University of Service.
1992 - 1996 - Professor of the department of Moscow State University of Service.
1993 - Creator and head of the jury of the annual Textile Salon competition, Ivanovo.
1994 - Creator and head of the jury of the annual competition of professional fashion designers. Nadezhda Lamanova, Moscow.
1994 - Creator and head of the jury of the annual competition of children's fashion theaters "Golden Needle", Moscow, Russia.
1994 - Creator and head of the jury of the permanent competition of young fashion designers and costume designers “Exercise”.
1995 - Creator, artistic director and chairman of the jury of the annual competition “Velvet Seasons in Sochi”.
Initiator and trustee of the “Talent” competition, Ivanovo.
Scenography
1963 - Costumes for the play “Princess Turandot”, Yevgeny Vakhtangov Theater.
1965 - Costumes for the play “The Heart of Luigi”, Mossovet Theater.
1966 - Costumes for the play “That Strange Miss Savage”, Moscow Art Theater.
1967 - Costumes for the film “The Magician”.
1971 - Costumes for the film “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”, Yevgeny Vakhtangov Theater.
1978 - Costumes for the television film “Nameless Star”.
1979 - Costumes for the film “Hotel “At the Dead Climber” (film).”
1979 - Costumes for the play “Her Excellency”, Satire Theater.
1980 - Costumes for the play “It’s All 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”, Yevgeny 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 performances of the State Maly Theater: “The Queen of Spades”, “Masquerade”, “The Youth of Louis XIV”.
Vyacheslav Mikhailovich also created stage costumes for Muslim Magomayev, Joseph Kobzon, Tamara Sinyavskaya, Edita Piekha, Alexandra Strelchenko, Lyudmila Zykina, Alla Pugacheva, Philip Kirkorov, Julian, and the ensembles “Gaya”, “Time Machine”, “Na-na”.
Family of Vyacheslav Zaitsev
Maternal grandfather - Ivan Grigorievich Kokurin (b. 1885, Teykovo), great-grandfather - Grigory Egorovich Kokurin.
Grandmother - Anna Andreevna Shmannikova
Father - Mikhail Yakovlevich Zaitsev
Mother - Marina Ivanovna Zaitseva
Wife - Marina Vladimirovna Zaitseva (born June 2, 1937) - artist, member of the Moscow Union of Artists, Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1980), daughter of a ballerina from the Stanislavsky Theater and a military pilot, studied together at the Textile Institute, created costumes for the circus, (marriage ended divorce after 9 years).
Son - Egor Vyacheslavovich Zaitsev (born February 8, 1960) - designer, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Granddaughters - Maria Egorovna Zaitseva (born December 1, 1993), Anastasia Egorovna Zaitseva (born August 13, 2008).
On March 2, the legend of Russian fashion, fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev, known not only in Russia but also abroad, turned 80 years old. The loud celebration of the famous designer’s anniversary gave reasons to think about the current state of health of Vyacheslav Zaitsev in 2018. Not so long ago there were rumors that he was not able to walk independently and even had problems with speech. The fashion designer himself said last year that he was tired of all this false gossip, since he was full of energy and was busy preparing his future collection dedicated to his eightieth anniversary.
The childhood of the future famous fashion designer cannot be called happy. His father went to the front, and therefore his mother had to raise Vyacheslav alone. The hardworking woman at one time dreamed of the stage and was not only a good housewife, but also a gifted person. However, she never managed to realize her own dreams. But she instilled in the child a love of beauty.
Therefore, it is not surprising that after graduating from school, Vyacheslav, who always loved to draw, further studied as a textile artist and eventually even received a diploma with honors in his specialty.
Throughout his studies at the institute, Vyacheslav always differed from his classmates. He was not only one of the most talented students, but also very diligent and diligent. During his studies, the future fashion designer realized that here, in the capital, he had no one to count on but himself, and therefore he combined his studies with work. When he had free minutes, he enjoyed visiting exhibitions, museums, and theaters.
Now the fashion designer is many years old. Old age is always a cause for concern. Recently, fans of his talent are most interested in the health status of Vyacheslav Zaitsev 2018.
Education
During his studies, the future famous fashion designer was able to comprehend not only the skill of applied textile art as a professional calligrapher, but also studied drawing as the basis of graphics. Among other things, he liked to copy old masters, both Western and Russian. He often depicted Egyptian frescoes and antiquity, medieval ornaments and Persian miniatures in his works. This is exactly what he took into account during the development of the first models. As a student, Vyacheslav acted as a fashion designer and at the same time a demonstrator of his own clothes. Sometimes his unusual combinations of colors and silhouettes even shocked fellow students and teachers.
And over time, this style even became fashionable. Over time, Zaitsev became interested in Russian folk art. The fashion designer began to travel around cities and study art. Not only proportions, but also the combination of colors, rhythm, major color scheme - all this interested him.
In the fifties of the last century, artists had a really poor understanding of the global fashion world. They could then take all the necessary information exclusively from foreign magazines. Vyacheslav Zaitsev was then impressed by Christian Dior, Paul Poiret and Gabrielle Chanel. At that time, as a student, he wanted to work on the topic of his diploma - smart clothes. However, he was then given a completely different task with a theme - women's business suits. Despite the different topic, Vyacheslav did an excellent job with this task.
On May 2, 2018, the world-famous designer turned 80 years old. But, despite his advanced age, he is still just as young and energetic, and Vyacheslav Zaitsev’s health in 2018 is good for his age.
Moreover, he stated that he still felt a lot of strength in himself. During this time, he was able not only to loudly declare himself as a talented fashion designer, but also to create many original, exclusive items. The models created by the designer are among the most desirable for many fashionistas around the world. And it’s not surprising, because they have something special and truly unique, their own individuality, their own style. The name of Vyacheslav Zaitsev has long been a standard of the highest quality and style.
Activities of Vyacheslav Zaitsev
After training, according to the distribution, he ended up at the Experimental Technical Garment Factory. There he was immediately appointed to the position of artistic director. We can say that right away the future famous fashion designer began creating a collection of clothes for working women in the village and the entire region. Not only the cut, but even the color scheme was radically different, not the same as what village workers were used to seeing. However, after discussion, the model was rejected. But this was not a failure of Zaitsev, because after a while an article “He dictates fashion to Moscow” was published in one of the popular magazines and it was a story about Zaitsev.
Next was the work of artistic director at the experimental art center of the House of Models, where he worked for only thirteen years. During this time, he created seasonal collections for light industry enterprises of the union. In addition, the talented fashion designer worked a lot on his original models.
Fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev, whose biography is full of bright events and creative achievements, celebrated his 80th birthday. The illness does not allow him to work as usual, but the trendsetter hopes to do a lot more in his work.
Biography
The future fashion artist was born in the city of Ivanovo in 1938. The mother raised the child alone, since the father was at the front. Mom Maria Ivanovna was a creative and gifted person. She dreamed of the stage, but it didn’t work out. Therefore, she carefully instilled a love of art and beauty in little Slava.
He always studied diligently, first in high school, and then in the chemical-technological college. Four years later, in 1952, Zaitsev was awarded a diploma with honors for the specialty “Textile Artist”. This profession was very important in the “calico capital” of Ivanovo; one could easily find a job with it.
In 1956, a new turn began in the biography of fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev, namely, a move to Moscow, where his ascent to the top of the fashion Olympus began.
Vyacheslav did not settle down in his hometown, but decided to go to Moscow to improve his knowledge at the textile institute. The young man immediately entered the Faculty of Applied Arts, where he began to study clothing design. The young man was accepted for study without hesitation, because he had a great understanding of art, life and people - in a word, he was a very comprehensively developed person, which distinguished him favorably from other applicants.
In a foreign city, he had to rely only on his own strength, so the student began to combine study with work. Slava spent his rare free minutes on trips to museums, theaters, and self-education.
While studying at the institute, Zaitsev comprehends all the intricacies of graphics, calligraphy and drawing. In his first drawings of future clothing models, he used antique patterns and Persian miniatures, and studied with Russian and Western masters. He soon became very interested in Russian folk art. I began to travel around cities and villages, studying the combination of colors, shapes and colorful style.
For his many years of creative activity, he was awarded many prestigious awards in the field of art. He has published several original books on fashion.
Creative achievements
Zaitsev's first collection was workwear for working women in cities and villages. The teaching council was not enthusiastic about this collection and rejected it. One of the magazines published an article on this topic entitled “He dictates fashion to Moscow.” Three years later, the author of this rejected collection was found by Pierre Cardin and Dior himself through a magazine article. After the unsuccessful collection, Zaitsev had already managed to create new clothing samples and become the artistic director in the workshop of the All-Union House of Models on Kuznetsky Most. Three years after the publication of the article about the failed collection, French couturiers approached him and recognized his professionalism and unconventional approach. After this meeting, an article entitled “Kings of Fashion” was published, where Zaitsev’s talent was highly appreciated.
The fashion designer worked at the House of Models on Kuznetsky Most for 13 years, becoming deputy director. Here he presented his collections based on Ivanovo calicoes, as well as his famous “Russian series”. At a fashion festival in Moscow in 1967, he received the Grand Prix for his presented dress under the motto “Russia”.
Since the late 60s, Zaitsev’s authority has been highly appreciated in the West. The leader of Soviet fashion was awarded the title “Red Dior” in the foreign press. Many publications mentioned the name of the Russian fashion designer next to the name of the legendary Dior.
Many of Vyacheslav’s projects found support abroad. For example, in 1976, his personal exhibitions with sketches of costume jewelry and future collections were held in many Czech cities.
Exhibitions of Vyacheslav Zaitsev were also held in cities in the USA, Belgium and Estonia, where he acted as an artist of graphic and painting works. Five of his works were acquired by the Moscow History Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery.
Vyacheslav Mikhailovich participated a lot in the development of costumes for Soviet cinema at Mosfilm and the Gorky Film Studio. He also designed costumes for Broadway theater soloists. The fashion designer also devoted a lot of time to theatrical productions, where he participated as a costume designer. He also acted as the creator of stage costumes for many Russian pop stars.
As a media person, he became known as the first host of the “Fashionable Sentence” program.
Personal life
The personal life and biography of fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev is associated with one official marriage. In 1959, he married Marina Vladimirovna Zaitseva, whom he met at the institute. Soon a son, Yegor, was born into the family. After 9 years, the wife preferred another man and left her husband. Vyacheslav was very painful about the breakup.
After some time, our hero began a relationship with a girl named Inna. She was with Vyacheslav for two years, helping him survive the consequences of the accident. Zaitsev was even going to marry his chosen one, but at some point he realized that they were completely different people and broke off the relationship.
Already in his old age, the fashion designer managed to restore friendly relations with his ex-wife Marina. She and her granddaughter are very supportive of Zaitsev and help him in the fight against diseases. Marina Vladimirovna shared in an interview that she regularly pampers Vyacheslav Mikhailovich with her own prepared raspberry pie, which her former mother-in-law once prepared for him.
The latest news reports that Vyacheslav Zaitsev is now optimistic about the future. Although illness prevents him from working fully, he is still full of creative plans and hopes. He remains elegant and stylish in any situation. The fashion designer prefers to relax in his beloved Moscow region, at his picturesque dacha. She also often travels to Paris, where he has a small studio, which he purchased with royalties from cooperation with a cosmetics company.
Son Yegor Vyacheslavovich decided to continue his father’s activities and began to create his own clothing designs. The son gave Zaitsev a beautiful granddaughter named Marusya. She also continued the dynasty and connected her life with design art. Marusya is also a talented model. Grandfather will entrust her with the management of his fashion house.
Health
The press repeatedly talks not only about the biography of fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev, but also about his health. Last year he was hospitalized in a hospital with suspected pneumonia. Fans became worried, but they didn’t have to worry for long; soon the fashion trendsetter was already back at work.
The master periodically experiences pain in his legs. Two years ago he discovered problems with his joints. To reduce pain, doctors installed a titanium prosthesis for Zaitsev.
Two years ago it also became known that Vyacheslav Mikhailovich suffers from a serious illness - Parkinson's disease. The disease is accompanied by disturbances in the central nervous system, and difficulties with speech and coordination are observed. The fashion designer underwent a rehabilitation course in Karlovy Vary. He admits that he is still ready to work and is full of creative plans to create his new collections. The disease, of course, reminds itself of itself and sometimes depression appears, but Zaitsev tries to drive away bad thoughts.
It must be said that Vyacheslav suffered serious damage to his health back in 1971, when he was in a serious car accident. At 33, the fashion designer ended up in intensive care, where doctors spent nine days bringing him back to life. Then there was a long recovery course, crutches, etc. The consequences of the accident, one way or another, greatly influenced the health and entire subsequent biography of fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev.
Now he is no longer so cheerful, he walks with a cane, but he does not despair. The fashion designer admitted that he will no longer organize a show of his collections, but there are still many other creative ideas to come. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich recently celebrated his 80th birthday. A grand evening was held in his honor at the Russian Song Theater. During the holidays, the hero of the day received many gifts from stage and film stars, as well as millions of applause for his outstanding contribution to the history of Russian fashion.
Have you seen the clothing collections of Vyacheslav Zaitsev?
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