Atlas of Fashion Designers

25

Alena Akhmadullina

Alena Akhmadullina

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In just one glance, an anthropologist attending an Alena Akhmadullina show could gather

synthetic information about the historical and cultural legacy of Russia in recent times.

In her collections, fragments of Russian iconography succeed one another as if they were

archeological vestiges of another time.

Russian constructivism, the Cossack and military look, and the aesthetic infl uence of the

painter Tamara de Lempicka are some of the infl uences at work in her creations, which

consist of a mosaic of aspects astutely reinterpreted and assimilated with pride and el-

egance.

It would seem that a young woman born in the Leningradsky Region with dreams of be-

coming a designer would be tempted to abandon her roots and follow the guidelines set by

the icons of fashion in New York, Paris, Milan, and Britain. Alena, however, has remained

true to herself, presenting her art just as it is. And many are the prizes she has earned for

exhibiting this respect toward herself, this dignifi ed attitude. Since graduating from the

State University of Technology and Design in St. Petersburg, she has received a slew of

important awards, including the best designer at Moscow’s Dress of the Year in 1999 and,

in 2000, the Smirnoff International Prize for Design.

And the fact is Alena remains original while simultaneously embracing the past, innovative

in salvaging what is obsolete, unique and unparalleled in immersing herself in the collective

iconography of her homeland. For this reason, she is considered one of the most important

discoveries in Russian design of recent times.

Photography courtesy of Alena Akhmadullina

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Alena Akhmadullina

 e aesthetic of the Russian designer’s

Fall/Winter 2007–2008 collection

takes inspiration in a nineteenth-

century photography salon: women

dressed in masculine suit jackets as

a symbol of the incipient women’s

liberation.

Photography courtesy of Alena Akhmadullina

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Alena Akhmadullina

Photography courtesy of Alena Akhmadullina

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Alena Akhmadullina

- What inspires you?

Plentiful Russian culture and art inspire me in the creation of my collections. For instance, I’m interested in the history

of the Russian czars.  e mystique of both Russian customs and literature appeal to me. I mean various mystifi cations,

charming transformations and dialogue with natural power, as well. In clothes, it can be expressed by using plenty of

prints or by the presence of unique, concealed details.

- What is your dream as a designer?

To answer the purposes of the brand’s business context, possessing immaculate creative latitude. For any designer,

reaching such harmony is the highest stage of professionalism. You are creating a collection the way buyers want it, and

it is moving successfully.

- What has been the most important achievement of your career?

Our brand develops step by step, and every step is an achievement. A recent success was the active creation of the

brand’s team, consisting of very talented, unique people.  ey make my job a work of art. Our relationship and coop-

eration is very interesting, and I’m sure that very soon it will be refl ected in the brand itself.

- How important are trends?

Fashion is a current art, which is why trends are very important. In the luxury segment, a brand’s ability to produce

trends and to be in phase with other designers’ ideas brings not only moral and creative satisfaction, but also impressive

fi gures in the profi ts column.

- Fashion has always refl ected a certain era. What does fashion refl ect in the twenty-fi rst century?

Fashion cannot but retreat to background experience. And it is endless. Just as fashion’s visualization of the future is

most often expressed in the use of glossy materials, minimalist forms and space technologies.  at is why designers

often return to past decades, established styles and previous streams of art when creating a collection. Such nostalgia

always cuts to the client’s heart, so it is very pleasant to work with. Although, using diff erent vintage forms and trans-

forming them in the right way, it is possible to read a fashion of futurity.

- What book would you recommend to every fashion designer?

 e books of Alexandr Vasiliev are the most delicate, elegant and exact research of fashion history. All of these publi-

cations are fi lled not only with unique photo materials, but also with very deep analysis of everything in the fashion

industry during a given time slot.

Alena Akhmadullina

Rochdelsky, 15

123022 Moscow

Russia

www.alenaakhmadullina.com

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Alena Akhmadullina

Photography courtesy of Alena Akhmadullina