A famous fashion designer in Russia, along with Vyacheslav Zaitsev, is Valentin Yudashkin. The biography of this little man with great talent, no doubt, deserves attention. He was recognized abroad, but he refused to transfer the production of his collections to Paris for the title of couturier, which, however, did not adversely affect his work.
Childhood and youth
Yudashkin Valentin Abramovich was born on October 14, 1963. His childhood passed in the Moscow region, in the small village of Bakovka. At an early age, it was clear that the boy is not alien to the beautiful, and his future life will be somehow connected with creativity. Valentin was engaged in figure skating and was very fond of drawing. But the objects of his work were not landscapes or people, but sketches of clothes. Well, the fate of all people marked by talent leads from childhood on the road chosen for them.
As a schoolboy, Valentine already began to sew clothes for his friends and relatives. There was no resistance from his parents to his pursuits, despite such "non-male" interests. He knew exactly what he wanted from life and how he would realize himself. Although the time of stagnation coincided with his youth, he stubbornly walked towards the goal. Here is another confirmation that success equals talent multiplied by motivation.
First steps in the profession
Despite his small stature, Valentin Yudashkin, the future world-famous couturier, confidently walked into the world of big fashion. After graduating from the Moscow Industrial College, he received two specialties at once - a fashion designer and a specialist in makeup. The future great couturier was practiced by Vyacheslav Zaitsev himself. It was back in 1986. After Valentine managed to serve in the army. And a year later, when the first collection of Valentin Yudashkin “Original Russia” of 150 models came out, his name became famous in Russia. In the army, the novice fashion designer clearly did not lose time in vain, already in his head there were a lot of ideas that were waiting for implementation. In 1988, the next collection, called "Peter's Ball", was released.
So Yudashkin Valentin Abramovich, a native of an ordinary Soviet family, began to confidently turn into a brilliant
designer of clothes.And then fame came
In 1991, young fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin created his third collection, called Faberge. Models presented original outfits in the form of eggs. Valentine boldly showed the collection at Haute Couture Week, and here the finest hour came. He was enthusiastically received in Paris - the capital of world fashion! One outfit from the collection is now stored in the Louvre. Experts recognized the bright talent of the great maestro, noting his original fresh look and the “Russian spirit”.
Yudashkin returned to Russia already famous. To officially receive the title of couturier, Valentine was offered to move to Paris, but he refused to leave his homeland. And this, for a minute, was the years of perestroika - a time of wild instability. Yudashkin is a true patriot, his love for Russia invariably pervades his work. In 1997, Valentin became a master of arts, two years later - an honored artist of the Russian Federation.
To this day, Russian fashion is associated with his name. "Valentin Yudashkin" is a world famous brand.
Work, work and work again
In the same 1990s, Valentine created uniforms for the Olympic team - first for the winter games in Lillehammer, and then for the summers in the USA. And besides this, his new collections come out every year. Yes, Parisians have not in vain noted the true "Russianness" in his works. Valentin Yudashkin’s models are marked by inspiration that he draws from our rich culture. Just look what names were given to his works of 1994-1999: “Frescoes” and “Catherine the Great”, “Ballet”, “Birds of Paradise”, “Christmas Dream”, “Vrubel”, “Anna Karenina”, “Silent Cinema” , "Russian Modern".
Of course, in Russia his successes and stellar talent were noted; in 1997, Valentine received the national Ovation Award. For the maestro to bring domestic fashion to the world stage, in the nomination “Art and Business” he was awarded the “Business Olympus” award.
Yes, having a small stature, Valentin Yudashkin is distinguished by a great love for Russia, his work, as well as great creative fecundity. According to various sources, a couturier has a height of 155-158 cm. In order for a name to become a brand, a person must be a perfectionist. Therefore, the name of Yudashkin as a fashion designer is associated with unsurpassed high quality.
Paris - haute couture syndicate
Any designer who has ambitions wants to receive recognition from leading world masters. And for Valentine it became a reality. And he is the only fashion designer from Russia awarded with high honor.
Until the very end of the nineties, all of his collections were presented at High Fashion Weeks. Yes, he refused to move to Paris and completely merge with the elite of world fashion. Nevertheless, Valentine has the status of a corresponding member of the syndicate since the distant 1996. After that, his Fashion House deservedly received the title of High Fashion House, and at the same time the right to present all his collections at High Fashion Weeks. This is the peak, for many unattainable, and what more could you want! But it is the need to constantly improve, create something new and seek inspiration that distinguishes true professionalism, which cannot and does not have the right to stop developing due to the realization of ambitious ambitions. Do not hesitate, the great couturier is a real hard worker, whose thought is constantly in creative search.
House of Valentin Yudashkin
In 1988-1989, the Vali Fashion company was opened, and in 1991 it was renamed the Valentin Yudashkin Fashion House. In 1997, the first boutique was opened in Moscow. At first, ready-made models of clothes made of high-quality fabrics were presented there, later linen, accessories, jewelry, and Valentin Yudashkin silverware appeared.
Now Fashion House Valentin Yudashkin is the leading in Russia. He has a network of branded boutiques, his shows are held in Paris, Milan and Moscow. Some of the works are exhibits of the Costume Museum in the Louvre, the State Historical Museum in Moscow, the California Fashion Museum, as well as the International Museum of the Olympic Games. The success and recognition that Valentin Yudashkin achieved, his biography, not marked by any scandals and black PR, impeccable taste and style, bright talent - all this made his name a part of the history of Russian fashion.
Couture dresses are always unique and sewn manually from exclusive fabrics according to their own designs. In the House of Valentin Yudashkin, ready-to-wear clothes are sewn, and here you will also find collections of porcelain accessories and products. There is also its own line of fashion glasses and cases. Valentin, as a true couturier, pays great attention to details and loves accessories, which in his collections play the role of the final touch of the created image. If suddenly unsuccessful models appear in the House, they are strictly burned.
Among his clients are stars of show business, theater and cinema, as well as the most famous people of Russia. All our famous beauties strive to sew wedding dresses only with him. Valentin gained confidence in himself due to the impeccable design and unsurpassed high quality of things.
Family and personal life
By far, the most striking fashion designer in Russia is Valentin Yudashkin. His biography is replete with facts from his professional life, rather than some gossip. Valentine has long and apparently happily married. Contrary to the established stereotype, he, like few other people in his profession, is a carrier of traditional sexual orientation. Wife Marina also works in the beauty industry - she is a hairstylist, has many international prizes and awards in her field. He is a senior collection manager at her husband’s House. Who knows, perhaps it was the reliable rear that helped Valentin to confidently go through all the trials.
Galina's only daughter was often a model at the shows of her famous father's collections. It is difficult to stay away if your parents have their own Fashion House, which is also a global brand. Now Galina is already an adult girl, a photographer by profession, she already has her own family. Father Valentin Abramovich has long been dead, and his mother, Raisa Petrovna, also works in the Fashion House, holding the post of manager.
As Yudashkin himself said in an interview, a family should not be exposed to the public. It is worthy of respect that his name in the media has never been mixed with any scandals or family squabbles. The only thing was that there were several short reports that his father, Abram Iosifovich, killed his brother many years ago in a fight. The press coverage of this fact, rather, is the result of the journalists' insistent desire to find some dark spot in the biography of the maestro - everything cannot be perfect.
Marina Yudashkina was noted in the press in 2015 in connection with the scandal over an underground casino in the house she owns. There is no direct evidence of her involvement in this.
Yudashkin's style and work
The collection models show how Valentine loves dresses. His style is associated with courage and originality, but you will never find in his works pretentiousness or tasteless manifestations of violent imagination. Fur, decoration with embroidery and rhinestones - all this is impeccably distinguished by its unique patterns.
In 2003, everyone in Moscow could visit his unique solo exhibition. In addition to all the regalia available, Yudashkin also holds the title of Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts.
It is permissible to speak of couturier's works in artistic terms, so his style can be attributed to avant-garde. Not everyone manages to create works of fashion art from clothing.
One of the first creative triumphs was the Christmas Dream collection. There were medium-length skirts trimmed with beads and lace, feathers on the collars of jackets, fur lapels and sleeves by the coat. Hats are presented in the form of elegant cylinders, white fur hats and large berets. But the highlight of the collection was neckerchiefs. The final model was a dress representing a Christmas tree.
The show by Valentin Yudashkin, titled Black and White Cinema, is another striking manifestation of his talent. The models were made of embossed and dressed under ostrich feather skin covered with gilding. Even blouses were made of this material. And, surprisingly, the collection did not contain the slightest hint of rudeness, usually accompanying leather clothes.
The fall-winter season of 2015 was marked by the new Romantic Rock and Roll collection. The desire to seek inspiration, including in the past, did not pass by Yudashkin. Here you can feel the fashion of the 1980s and 1990s. Couturier masterfully combined rebellion and elegance, managing to create a truly feminine image. Of course, the main color was black, but it was skillfully diluted with other shades - brown, gray, white and beige. Well, and where without details - pink branches and black lacquer flowers in signature prints skillfully smoothed out the inherent rock brutality style. Contrary to the stereotype, taffeta, stretch knitwear, chiffon and lace, jacquard and velvet were used instead of leather. All this emphasized a clear silhouette with an accented waist. Again, Valentin Yudashkin managed to combine the incongruous. Who else could get a harmonious ensemble of strict trousers and candid neckline and miniskirts? A typical rock and roll jacket, thanks to the fur, has acquired the character of true femininity. Present in the collection and evening dresses.
Valentine has his own personal museum, which stores his favorite models. His works can be found in private collections. Yudashkin loves and knows how to combine the most unexpected things, materials and images, he does not accept cheap fabrics and decoration elements - everything must be expensive and elite. Branches of the Fashion House of Valentin Yudashkin are in Milan and Paris - the two capitals of world fashion.
Not everything is so smooth
You can still talk a lot about how much Valentin Yudashkin did for Russian fashion. The biography of this ingenious man is filled with true love for his work and unlimited hard work. But the career of a great fashion designer has not always been marked by success. In 2007, Yudashkin set about creating a collection of uniforms for the Russian military. And in 2012, negative articles appeared in the media casting a shadow on the reputation of the haute couture house. It was noted that the uniform of the military is made of low-quality fabrics and has a far from perfect design.
Yudashkin himself commented on this fact, saying that the released models have nothing to do with his work. The Ministry of Defense made adjustments at its discretion, as a result of which the issued form can no longer belong to the Yudashkin brand. The project, which was carefully thought out to the smallest detail, where Valentin put his soul, as in all his collections, was failed due to other people's unprofessional interference. Nobody answered the couturier to the question of why all this was done, despite his many requests to the relevant departments.
Yudashkin show
For several years in a row on March 8, Valentine has been organizing an event with the participation of show business stars. This year, the Yudashkin show featured the White Nights collection. It is easy to guess that it was St. Petersburg that inspired the maestro to create it. The main idea is illusory, colors are smoky and delicate shades of blue and gray. Masterfully beaten and now fashionable trend from the 1990s - accented shoulders and waist. Evening and cocktail dresses are decorated with handmade bead embroidery, sequins and rhinestones. The main material of the collection - silk - is combined with chiffon and tulle. Fashion connoisseurs and domestic stars attended this show, however, not one was left without their attention.
The spring collection presented by Yudashkin at the High Fashion Week is also distinguished by tenderness and femininity. Valentin Yudashkin is a designer who is loved and respected throughout the world, and not just in his homeland.