Ulyana Sergeenko Couture Spring 2013
She is from the South.
These words are true for both the designer, who was born and raised in Kazakhstan, and her inspiration – Scarlett O’Hara.
It might seem surprising that Ms Sergeenko has chosen a theme that isn’t Russian at all and therefore should be less familiar to her. As it turns out, this collection explores the subject nobody can fail at – the designer’s own childhood dreams.
Just like Ulyana and many other kids in the Soviet Union I didn’t grow up reading Russian authors because a) we studied them at school = boring and b) I cannot recall too many wonderful Russian books for teenagers. The age when we dreamed about breaking away from our mothers’ apron strings and exploring the world required a different kind of reading – and you can see why The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Headless Horseman were a better fit.
This collection represents a quintessential idea of the American South fashion in a style that is still recognizable as Ulyana’s own. I love the way she is consistent in both life and work and continues to be a living inspiration for her clients – and basically any woman who enjoys being Anna Karenina today and Scarlett O’Hara tomorrow.
Interestingly, accessories seem to be part of a totally different story. Box clutches are hand-embroidered with scenes from Russian fairy tales and sunglasses are decorated with cross-stitch pattern… But one look at this stunning beauty and I don’t want to care about references any more.
This picture is from instagram.com/xenia_sobchak
Photos from the show are courtesy of Vogue.ru