by Helene, Mexico

Recently I have read a post about successful celebrities. The author was insisting that for success just talent isn’t enough. One shall have a proper background, implying that his or her parents were able to invest in the child’s development. Otherwise, doesn’t matter how talented the child is, he or she will be a failure.

While watching this fashion show, I was thinking to myself: “Yes, in this case the post author was 100% right, creating such stylish outfits would be impossible if Slava had poor parents… Taste and this fine feeling of beauty and elegance do not come from nowhere.” The diversity of his outfits, most of which could serve as an icon of style and elegance, inspired me to read little bit more about the designer, Slava Zaitsev.

I was amazed and to some extent shocked: his mother was a usual housewife, and she has never had any beautiful clothes. Actually, that is why Slava creates such looks, rich and elegant, to somehow compensate for that mum`s feeling of, probably pain and hope that once at least her child will be able to have what she couldn’t afford. Inspired by richness and brightness of Russian national colours, Slava creates masterpieces (yes, and I am not afraid of using this word!) that can be worn in everyday live and for women of all sizes. Each of his creations is well-balanced, elegant and distinctive at the same time.

I am not a fan of red colour, I practically never wear it because my shyness dampens the joy, even if this of high quality and of truly elegant style. My mum always taught me never to wear everything of the same colour.

Perhaps I am too old school? If I would be a celebrity, like a famous TV host let’s say, I’d probably easily flaunt something like this in front of the paparazzi, with an expensive car to match. That would be a real gutsy statement!

A row of models dressed in white parade down the catwalk in crisp white tights and nostalgic hats. I would say, elegance is a key word to all looks created by this designer.

Any shade of pink is quite a controversial colour. These outfits, however, show this shade in a different light, rather not connected with all the Barbie glamour, but with the elegance of a mature lady that isn’t afraid of experiments. Confident and yet charming.

This skirt would look equally nice on a slim woman and on a fuller figured woman or a woman coming from a cultural background that requires full body coverage (ex. Chechen republic). Slava Zaitsev is famous for also creating clothes for women who are “just bigger than average”. His work is very versatile, he even designed athlete’s uniforms for 1980s Moscow Olympic games.

Here is a one more casual style for the ladies with fuller figures, it accentuates the feminine lines. It would, in my opinion, be more interesting to see an actual plus size model wear something like this to show women of all sizes that it is not difficult to select good styles for their shape.

Wait a second here, what a daring design, but didn’t my mum teach me not to wear more than three colours at once? I would like to get a better look at the dress underneath the jacket because this orange/black combination with stripes on the side seems pretty cool.

Slava’s designs show a lot of cultural roots to them. He uses very unusual combination of accessories, scarves, and so on to create his looks.

Here is a luxury mix of royal blue and gold.  Hosiery matches the rest of the outfit and adds a special elegant touch as if it is a business lady heading to some artistic exhibition.

Here is another example of a dress that would be appropriate for a woman with a fuller figure. The head piece is pretty avant-garde in my opinion, but it nicely finishes this whole Mongolian-like concept.

What a classic colour combination – red and black, with mesh for elegance. Romantic and mysterious, but so different from the rest of the collection.

In my opinion Slava Zaitsev has his own unique signature, just like the iconic Dior and Chanel who were his inspirations. His designs are so well composed that they don’t require any cheap shock factors in order be remembered.