Slava Zaitsev's exhibition "The Glory Of Russian Fashion" (Photo credit: Anna Dorozhkina)

"If he had had a chance to show his collections abroad he would have been most possibly a world-famed brand”, - that is what Alexandre Vassiliev, a Russian-born, Paris-based fashion historian and designer, stated about Slava Zaitsev, who has opened his fashion exhibition in Manezh with the support of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. “The Glory of Russian Fashion” is devoted to the 30-year anniversary of Slava Zaitsev's Fashion House and takes place from 17 to 28 October, 2012.

During the Soviet era Zaitsev was compared to the world-renowned fashion designers such as Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, and Yves Saint Laurent. But, unfortunately, under the communist regime, the only country outside of the USSR where Zaitsev was able to work was Czechoslovakia. In March 1965 Zaitsev became the Chief Designer at the All-Union Fashion House, which was also known as Dom Modeli, on Kuznetsky Most. Pierre Cardin, Marc Bohan (then with Dior) and Guy Laroche visited Moscow and became familiar with Zaitsev's works. In 1982 the Russian designer transformed his studio into the «Slava Zaitsev» Moscow Fashion House, also known as Dom Modi, becoming the first Soviet couturier who was permitted by the Soviet Government to label his own clothing. Now Slava, whose name means Glory, shows his most significant works in Manezh, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of Slava Zaitsev's Fashion House. Every visitor has a great chance to admire the masterpieces of the designer, and follow the development of his career from 1982 to present day.  

The exhibition presents the inimitable luxury and chic of the exclusive dresses that were shown in New York, Paris, Munich, Florence, Tokyo, Berlin, and London. Among them are:

Collection “Leafing over the memory”, 1998.
Warmth-keeping velvet coats, decorated with lace and sequins; dresses of gold brocade, decorated with gold trim, bows, and sequins; long flared skirts made of tafta.

Collection “Secrets of harmony”, 2000.
Satin jackets, decorated with golden velvet and flowers; long skirts of crashed jacquard with flowers and feathers; evening dresses of velvet with appliqués of gold.

Collection “Divertimento”, 2003.
Chiffon sets, blouses, layered skirts with lace, feathers and bows.

Collection “How young we will become”, 1996.
Evening sets of lacy blouses, decorated with stones, and frame tulle skirts.
Jackets of coloured jacquard, decorated with golden velvet and stones; layered skirts made of silk and tulle.

Collection “Origins”, Fall-Winter 2008-2009.
Set of Pavloposadskie shawls, decorated with lace, sequins and beads; warmth-keeping coats and jackets.

Collection “Russian Seasons in Paris”, 1988.
Black wool dresses with gold buttons and stones.

Collection “Temptation”, 1996
Satin and silk corsets, decorated with lace, beads, pearls, and embroideries.