It seems as though overnight Russian fashionistas have emerged onto the world spotlight as some of fashion’s wealthiest and most devout luxury consumers. The leader of the pack, Ulyana Sergeenko, has captured the limelight with her stunning style and multiple wardrobe changes during fashion week. Her penchant for one-of-a-kind designer pieces has helped her to create a memorable look that is totally her own. A few weeks ago, Mrs. Sergeenko took it one step further when she debuted her Fall/Winter 2012 couture collection during none other than Paris’ famed haute couture. Having only three weeks to prepare, Sergeenko and her team devised a plan to crash the coveted couture by staging her own fashion show, snatching the attention of designers and fashion enthusiasts alike in a perfectly executed publicity stunt.
Premiering at the elegant Théâtre Marigny, Sergeenko’s show opened with a black, floor-length, military inspired cape with high slits exposing knee-high, Hussar boots that were seen throughout the collection in both black and the traditional poppy red. As the show progressed, Ulyana’s signature style emerged with floor-sweeping, 50s inspired poodle skirts, thin, see-through sweaters, and sharply pointed shoulder details. Among the looks that underscore Ulyana’s distinct style, were pieces that referenced her strong Russian heritage. These cultural motifs were seen not only in the fur-lined and military inspired clothing, but also in the traditional embroidered babushkas, military helmet inspired hats, and Yulia Tymoshenko-style braids that adorned the heads of each of the models.
Ulyana Sergeenko’s bold move turned heads, not only due to her elaborate defiance of the rules, but also with the impressive turn out of fashion’s most influential. Among the big names that attended Sergeenko’s debut was her close friend and avid supporter, Natalia Vodianova, who closed the show wearing a thick, black, floor-length coat along with a tulle veil that made the red embroidered flowers of her veil pop against a black background. Both Natalia and Ulyana run in the same social circles of Russian billionaires. Although Uylana Sergeenko appears to be modest and humble in her photos and interviews, spectators (Russians especially) are questioning two things; is this recent venture into haute couture an attempt to bring the fashion world to her fellow Russians or merely a selfish extension to further the wealth and power of Russia’s small, elite clique with which she associates?
Only time will tell how Ulyana Sergeenko will decide to use her growing fame and if she really has the creativity and talent that it takes to be a true designer.
