Alexander Vasilyev a fashion historian, collector and interior designer :: people

Alexander Vasilyev

Born: 8 December 1958

a fashion historian, collector and interior designer

Alexander Alexandrovich Vasilyev is a famous Russian and French fashion historian, collector, interior designer, theatrical artist, author of the popular books and articles, lecturer, television anchorman, the honourable member of Russian Academy of Arts, the head of Russian Fashion Academy and the founder of the international interior award "Lilies of Alexander Vasilyev".

Alexander Vasilyev was born on 8 December 1958, in an theatrical family. His father, Alexander Vasilyev, was Russian People's Artist, a creator of decorations and scenic costumes. His mother, Tatiana Vasilyeva, was a theatrical actress. From his childhood Alexander was fond of creation of costumes and decorations, at first, for doll performances and later for his own play, which he put on the stage while being of 12 years old. In 1980 Vasilyev graduated from the stage faculty of the Moscow Art Theatre's College, and later worked as a costumer in Malaya Bronnaya's Theatre. In 1982 he moved to Paris where he began to work as a stage designer in different French theatres and festivals, such as Rond Point at the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, L'Opera Bastille, Festival d'Avignon, Opera Royal de Versailles and others.

In 1994 Alexander Vasilyev began giving lectures in four languages and show master-classes in different universities and colleges all around the world.

Since 2001 the fashion festival "Povolzhskiye Seasons by Alexander Vasilyev" has been taken place in Samara under his patronage. Since 2002 Vasilyev has been worked on the Russian State "Culture" Channel, as an author of "Breath of Time" programme, which was based on his well-known book "Beauty in Exile". And in 2002 the "Culture" channel began translation of 10-episode series "Breath of Time - 2" based on Vasilyev's "Russian Fashion. 150 years in photographies".

In October 2003 a design studio "Akexander Vasiliev's Interiors" was opened in Moscow. The project's aim is to "present rich Russian traditions in Paris luster".

In Russia Vasilyev gives lectures at the "Management and Fashion's Theory" faculty in the Moscow State University, as well as in lecture rooms in different Russian cities.

In 2005 an Alexander Vasilyev's guest school started its work, which gives its listeners an opportunity to go to various cultural capitals - Paris, Rome, London, Madrid, Riga, Venice, Istanbul.

In 2009 Vasilyev was appointed as a head of the Moscow Fashion Academy under the Moscow Institute of Television and Broadcasting.

In 2011 Alexander Vasilyev established the first international award for the interior design, "Lilies of Alexander Vasilyev". Its laureates gain a ceramic hand-made lily, which has its individual number and passport. Lilies for interior, details, light, atmosphere and even musical accompaniment was given to establishments with good design in their interiors from Russia, Latvia, Italy, France and other European countries.

Alexander Vasilyev is an owner of one of the biggest collection of Russian period's dresses and suites. The collection is often showed in Australia, different countries of Europe, Asia, America. The collection has been replenished for 30 years and now consists of more than 15000 exhibits from the 17th century till modern times. Among them there are haute couture masterpieces by Worth, Doucet, Drecoll, Lanvin, Chanel, Lucien Lelong, Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Balmain, Carven, Givenchy, Valentino, YSL, Carden, Courege, Paco Rabanne, Gaultier and others. Some of them was presented by famous women - Maya Plisetskaya, Natalia Fateeva, Alla Demidova, Clara Luchko, Lyudmila Zykina and others. Vasilyev plans to open a Museum of Historical Costumes, as a permanent exposition of his collection.

Alexander Vasilyev is an author of more than 30 books. His book "Beauty in Exile" was republished in Russian 6 times, and in 2000 it was published in New York in English. The book was named the best illustrated book of 1998.

Vasilyev is also an author of the book "Russian Fashion. 150 years in Photographs", which included more than 2000 unique photos and illustrations on history of Russian, Soviet and post-Soviet fashion. He worked as a special correspondent for "Vogue" and "Harper's Bazaar" magazines in Paris.

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Some of Alexander Vasilyev's sayings:

"Nobody ever saw me in costume with a big visible logo of some brand. I just don't need it at all. It is useless and thoughtless. Such things can't beautify anyone."

"I will never preoccupy myself with Fashion design. It will be obvious to everybody that Vasilyev has no time for it and just sells his name for money. Furthermore, I already make designed scarfs and shirts. What else? Candies? Panties? It's not my thing, I'm afraid."

"Sometimes I wear breastpins and finger-rings from my collection. But I never wear historic clothes, as that can kill a rare exhibit. And, of course, I never give my dresses to any actresses. Even the most beautiful of them sometimes sweat."

"Never mix more than three different colours in one set, unless you have a sophisticated artistic taste."

"Elegance depends mainly on a woman's intellect and her inspiration for creating her everyday dress sets."

Russia is my passion and my pain at the same time. I like its history, style and traditions, but don't like the country's current condition. Russia used to be the most unique country in the world, but now it gradually becomes the most banal one. I hope such condition is temporary. Russia lost the idea of "Russian style" long ago, and this term's reconstruction is our main duty now"