Debute Of My My New Collection "Russia Divine.Tribute."

On the photograph: "Tribute To Moscow" hat is a part of my new Collection. Photographed by Zorz Studios June 2009)

A while ago I came across a very interesting series of photographs entitled "Dior In Moscow, 1959" as published in "Life" magazine. The photographs documented the arrival of the House of Dior in Moscow for the presentation of the Dior Collection. They featured exquisitely dressed Dior models photographed throughout the streets of Moscow and set against the seemingly staged backdrop of drab, unsophisticated and plainly attired Russian women. The entire photo session left me feeling heartbroken, and nearly sick with anguish. At that time, fourteen years after our nation's Great Victory, in the most terrible War in history's memory, the country that lost over 26 million lives was still recovering from its loss and destruction. The presentation put forth a stilted, distorted perception, and world view of Russian women. It embodied a metaphor for the Cold War mentality pervading postwar relations between East and West. I immediately remembered my Grandmother, who, against all odds, was able to retain her style, beauty and dignity, like so many other Soviet women of that era. Inspired by the old pictures from my family archives, much cherished childhood memories and the aroma of vintage perfume "Krasnaya Moskva" , I designed Collection of spectacular hats and named it "Russia Divine. Tribute". In tribute to the remarkable generation of Russian women, who lived through the War, sacrifice, the pain of loss, tragedy and hardship. To those, who endured the unimaginable and still held their elegant grace forever...