Russian Fashion Brands from Moscow Fashion Week Expand into Global Markets

Photos: https://disk.yandex.ru/d/IPrI-ZSPSjk4ZA

Following the agreements reached at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, Moscow Fashion Week has forged partnerships with international Fashion Weeks. On April 20, two brands BÜRO UNIQUE from Samara and VESTIAIRE from Moscow will showcase their collections at Tunis Fashion Week. Additionally, Moscow-based brands LI LAB and IMK are set to participate in South Africa's Soweto Fashion Week in early May.

VESTIAIRE was founded in Paris in 2014 by Nina Dushko, an Istituto Marangoni graduate and former designer at Valentino Couture. Her expertise seamlessly transformed into a successful brand, earning VESTIAIRE features in top glossy magazines, highlighting its unique style and craftsmanship. BÜRO UNIQUE, originating from Samara, rose to prominence in the Russian capital and has now gained international recognition, with its designs gracing prestigious publications worldwide. LI LAB, in just five years, has expanded to multiple cities in Russia and the UAE. The debut fashion show of IMK at Moscow Fashion Week in March caught the attention of Turkish celebrity Gizem Karaca, renowned for her roles in popular TV series 'Safir' and 'Muhteşem Yüzyıl'.

The designers of IANIS CHAMALIDY (St. Petersburg) and Abzaeva (Ulan-Ude) shared their experiences from showcasing their collections at China Fashion Week in early April, following the agreements reached at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow. They have seen growth in their customer base and received high praise from experts in the Chinese fashion industry.

"Thanks to Moscow Fashion Week, two Russian brands, IANIS CHAMALIDY and Abzaeva, took part in the new season of China Fashion Week. Both brands showcased collections that exuded a sense of elegance and simplicity, while also emphasizing functionality. The unique prints and choice of materials caught the eye of potential buyers. We look forward to further collaboration with Moscow Fashion Week, enabling more Russian brands to showcase their work at China Fashion Week. This presents a great opportunity for these brands to break into the Chinese market," said Yang Jian, Executive Chairman of the China Fashion Association.

“Moscow Fashion Week serves as a platform for catalyzing growth in the fashion industry, allowing us to venture into the Asian fashion scene. Alongside other emerging designers, we proudly showcase the untapped potential of the Russian fashion landscape. Together, we are revolutionizing the industry, setting new standards and principles with the invaluable support provided by Moscow Fashion Week. These core beliefs and values will guide aspiring designers and brands seeking to bring innovation and a positive impact to the fashion world. We aim to extend the influence of Russian style and creativity, infusing our distinctive ideas into the global fashion narrative," expressed Ianis Chamalidy, the visionary founder and creative force behind the IANIS CHAMALIDY brand. Founded in 1997 in St. Petersburg, the collections of IANIS CHAMALIDY have earned widespread acclaim from leading fashion publications and industry professionals on the international stage.

The brand garnered significant interest from international buyers at China Fashion Week, with multi-brand luxury boutiques and even the prestigious Tranoï international fashion trade shows in Paris extending offers to the brand.

“Participating in Moscow Fashion Week opened up a world of opportunities, leading me to join China Fashion Week – a remarkable experience that continues to evoke overwhelming emotions. It marked my debut in a Fashion week abroad, serving as a powerful wellspring of inspiration and drive for the evolution of the brand. This journey not only enabled me to forge connections with industry professionals in China but also provided deep insights into the country’s fashion," happily shared Nadezhda Abzaeva, the founder and designer behind the Abzaeva brand. Established in 2020, the Abzaeva brand beautifully weaves together Russian and Buryat cultural influences, showcasing their unique collections at Moscow Fashion Week and having participated in the "New Names in Fashion" competition.

The captivating charm of Moscow Fashion Week was on full display in early March, as Russia's capital city welcomed a stunning lineup of 110 fashion shows featuring the finest creations from some of the most talented designers in the country. What made this event truly stand apart, however, was the beautiful fusion of cultures that was showcased through the participation of international designer brands from India (NBC brand and Geisha Designs), China (致画ZHIHUA), Tunisia (Anissa Aida), and South Africa (Dope Store and Boys of Soweto). This remarkable exchange of cultures was made possible by the bilateral agreements established in December 2023 between Moscow Fashion Week and the participating countries in the BRICS+ Fashion Summit.

Th collections from all these designers are available on the official website of Moscow Fashion Week moscowfashion.ru.

The event is organized by the Fashion Fund with the support of the Moscow government.