Artist-fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev became famous in the Soviet Union and stood at the very origins of modern fashion. At first it was accepted and recognized by world couturiers, only then was it appreciated by Russian fashionistas and fashionistas. A legendary personality, he has been at the forefront of modern fashion for more than 30 years, and every time he amazes with his unique collections and fresh solutions. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Zaitsev was born on March 2, 1938 in Ivanovo into a poor family. My father went to the front, was captured and fled to Berlin. His mother didn’t really expect him or worry about him, since she became pregnant by accident and had to marry without love. Since childhood, Zaitsev lived in poverty, ate berries in the forest, and begged for alms from passers-by. At the same time, the boy studied at school, drew wall newspapers, and, having received a matriculation certificate, entered the Ivanovo Chemical-Technological College. Later he moved to Moscow and graduated from the capital's textile institute. Upon graduation, he got a job at a garment factory in the village of Babushkin and was appointed its manager.
The first was a collection of workwear for rural women, which aroused increased interest from Western couturiers. They recognized his talent and invited him to work abroad. But until the end of the 80s, Zaitsev was not traveling. In the 90s, his career rapidly took off, and after the collapse of the Union, the artist-fashion designer was recognized in the Russian Federation.
Zaitsev Fashion House
For 13 years he successfully collaborated with the All-Union House of Models, and the first collection received the title “Russian Series” and was awarded the Grand Prix. In the 70s he left the Fashion House. Reason: tired of overcoming all the difficulties of creating new outfits from the bureaucracy and censorship.
In 1992, Zaitsev created his own “Fashion Laboratory”. His models are unique, and his creative view of fashion allowed him to create new trends and conquer not only domestic but also global catwalks.
Vyacheslav also collaborated with theaters more than once, creating stage outfits for classical and modern productions. In addition, he worked hard on posters and stage decorations, and some of his works even joined the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev - biography
Vyacheslav Zaitsev doesn’t just sew clothes, he creates masterpieces, real works of art. The biography of this amazing and extraordinary person was not easy; his half-starved childhood and youth occurred during the war and the post-war period, but he managed to properly use the talent given to him by fate. He is in constant search and never tires of creating beauty. Thanks to him, the very concept of “high fashion” and “clothing design” appeared in the USSR. And, as often happens, his genius was immediately appreciated in the West, and then recognized at home.
Childhood
Vyacheslav Zaitsev was born (at birth he received his mother’s surname - Kokurin) on March 2, 1938 in the “city of brides” - Ivanovo. Father - Mikhail Zaitsev, a simple worker. He went to the front at the beginning of the war, was captured, subsequently fled from there, returned to the active army, and celebrated victory in Berlin. Then he was arrested, charged with treason and sent to the camps. Then they indiscriminately imprisoned everyone who was captured by the Germans. He was released when Vyacheslav turned 20 years old, and before that he and his older brother Volodya bore his mother’s last name - Kokurin. The parents signed when the father was released from prison. After the death of his wife in 1978, Mikhail married a second time, Vyacheslav continued to take care of him until his death in 1994. Mom - Maria Kokurina, worked at the plant for days, she had to raise her children alone. She was a creative person, loved to sing, draw, and read poetry. Before the war I dreamed of becoming an actress, but this dream did not come true.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev in childhood
Vyacheslav understood perfectly well that it was very difficult for his mother, so after finishing the seventh grade (basic education in those years), he became a student at the Ivanovo Chemical-Technological College. The boy was also no less gifted than his mother, so he chose weaving as his specialty.
After receiving his diploma, Vyacheslav decided that he needed to continue his education and went to the capital. There he entered the famous Moscow Textile Institute. The student years flew by quickly, and the young specialist Zaitsev was given an assignment to the city of Babushkin. The work biography of the future world-famous fashion designer began at the experimental technical garment factory of the Moscow Regional Economic Council. In parallel with his main work, Vyacheslav is working on creating his first collection. He developed a set of workwear for rural women, which was not only comfortable and practical, but also emphasized the woman’s femininity. Naturally, the Soviet methodological department “cut down” this collection.
But the drawings of this clothing line found their way into the Western press and aroused great interest in its creator. Sketches of the collection were published in the Paris Match magazine, they were appreciated by representatives of famous Western fashion designers - Christian Dior and Pierre Cardin, who unanimously declared that this young man has undoubted talent. Almost until the beginning of the 90s, the Soviet designer did not have the slightest chance to go abroad, where he had long been put on a par with the world's leading designers.
Fashion and design
At his first job, the designer established himself as a creative person, able to think creatively and create interesting models. The result of his experiments was an offer of cooperation from the management of the All-Union House of Models, which settled on Kuznetsky Most. He worked there for thirteen years, his clothes were demonstrated on the catwalk by famous models - Regina Zbarskaya, Mila Romanovskaya, Leka Mironova.
The first collection at the new place of work was called “Russian Series”. Folk motifs prevailed in it. Regina Zbarskaya walked on the catwalk of the World Fashion Festival in a dress called “Russia” from this collection and received the Grand Prix for it. Western viewers highly appreciated this outfit, and the media after that began to call the fashion designer “Red Dior.”
Vyacheslav continued to present his developments, but in the 70s he was no longer pleased with his own work. He was upset that each of his sketches had to go through a whole series of approvals and approvals, and only then ended up in work. So much time passed from the moment the sketch was developed to the release of the finished model that the dress had already gone out of fashion. Zaitsev decided not to engage in this senseless and ineffective business, and resigned from the House of Models.
A talented designer got a job at a tailoring factory that carries out orders for the Fashion House. After some time, he moved to the position of artistic director of this House, and began developing original collections that brought him worldwide fame. Zaitsev never stops looking for his own style, trying to find the ideal combination of shapes and lines unique to him.
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In 1992, Vyacheslav became the author of his own “Fashion Laboratory”, which turned into a design academy in his Fashion House. Five years later they acquired an official website.
Zaitsev created many unique images, but the most memorable were the cream lace evening dress and the snow-white outfit, as if Vrubel’s “Swan Princess” herself had ascended the podium. Mrs. Russia Alisa Krylova, a participant in Moscow Fashion Week, was lucky enough to present these outfits.
Vyacheslav is a very versatile person; he is attracted not only to the world of fashion. He is seriously interested in drawing and painting; his canvases are not related to his main activity. They reflect his feelings, emotions, philosophical outlook on life. Zaitsev’s paintings show his originality and originality.
The fashion designer has more than once organized personal vernissages, which took place in Belgium, America, Estonia, and France. Five paintings by the original artist are included in the permanent exhibition of the Tretyakov Gallery, a series of paintings entitled “How Young We Will Be” is exhibited at the Museum of the History of Moscow.
In addition, Vyacheslav works closely with the most famous domestic theaters - the Moscow Art Theater, the Satire Theater, Sovremennik, and the Mossovet Theater. He creates stage costumes for performers that are unusual and unique, and are completely different from the standard styles used in classical plays.
The famous Russian fashion designer collaborated not only with domestic theaters; Broadway theaters were also among his customers. His outfits are worn by the actors in the musical “Sophisticated Ladies” by Duke Ellington.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev with Bari Alibasov
Zaitsev dressed pop singers, film stars, and athletes. It was he who designed the clothing collection for the USSR Olympic team at the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow. Bari Alibasov and his group “Na-Na”, as well as the group “Integral”, became popular in his outfits.
Among other things, Zaitsev also found time to develop stage sets and posters for theaters. For example, for the production of “The Cherry Orchard,” directed by Galina Volchek, who went on tour with her to Hungary and Germany.
Personal life
Vyacheslav Zaitsev married in 1959. His chosen one was a girl named Marina, the daughter of a military pilot and a ballerina of the Stanislavsky Theater. Even her closest friends did not understand what she found in a beginner and unknown fashion designer. They were simply shocked by her choice, because before that the girl had only dated young men equal to herself, and suddenly there was such a turn. Despite the obvious dissonance, in 1961 their son Yegor was born, who subsequently continued his father’s work.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev with his wife Marina
The boy turned nine when his mother met another man and announced to Zaitsev that she was leaving. He learned about this upon returning from Hungary, where he “dressed” the actors of a feature film. The divorce greatly undermined Vyacheslav, he loved his wife and treated his son with reverence, and now he was not even allowed to see him. The boy was also not told the truth, and for a long time he considered his father a traitor, he thought that he had abandoned him and suffered from this thought.
Problems in his personal life had a negative impact on the fashion designer’s health; he suffered from depression for a long time. And only when he reciprocated the feelings of one of his employees, life began to improve. The girl's name was Inna, she had long had tender feelings for Zaitsev.
They lived together for only a year, then broke up. After a serious car accident, in which Zaitsev was seriously injured, it was Inna who was the first to come to his aid; she visited him in the hospital, spent nine days nursing him in intensive care, and then another six months during rehabilitation.
Vyacheslav’s injuries were quite serious, his right leg suffered the most, doctors even thought about amputation.
Gradually, the fashion designer came to terms with the idea that he would have to part with his leg. He thought about creating a new image in which he would appear after the operation - black glasses, a black hat, a white shirt and a cane. It was in this form that he saw himself walking along the Kuznetsky Bridge. However, Vyacheslav continued to train his leg, performed all rehabilitation procedures, and drove away thoughts of amputation. Doctors managed to save his leg, so the new image was of no use.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev with his son Egor
After some time, Zaitsev tried to get back together with Inna, he even thought about officially signing with her, but he realized that he would not be happy with this woman. They lived in a civil marriage for another year and finally broke up. Since then, the fashion designer no longer tried to improve his personal life.
Son Egor worthily continued his father's work. He is a fashion designer and married. In 1993, he gave Zaitsev a granddaughter, Marusya, and in 2008, another granddaughter, Anastasia. Marusya is also a fashion designer, and she herself demonstrates her products as a model. Vyacheslav Zaitsev sees her as the owner of his fashion house.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev today
In 2021, the fashion designer gave an interview in which he spoke about the fact that he had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for several years. This disease caused joint problems. Doctors recommended that Zaitsev be fitted with a titanium prosthesis. That same year, he had a knee operation; after the operation, he went to Karlovy Vary for rehabilitation.
Despite his failing health, the designer continues to work. In 2017, he attended the opening of the spring-summer 2018 season. The collection of the famous fashion designer is dominated by scarlet tones and retro shock style. Zaitsev corrected the classics from Dior, added Pavlovo Posad shawls, kokoshniks, and folk ornaments to the outfits of Russian beauties.
Real estate
In the late 90s, he bought a plot of land in the village of Kablukovo and built a mansion, which he moved into in 2000. The three-story estate with an area of 900 square meters is made in the shape of a castle, and the interior design was done by the fashion designer himself. The basis is white, red and black tones, as well as their harmonious combination.
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On the walls you can see exclusive creations of the artist, unique antiques and rarities. Several million rubles were spent on exclusive renovations, as well as the designer’s time and energy.
Personal life
Current marital status: divorced. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich was officially married once, after the divorce he fell into a deep depression and was deeply affected by his wife’s betrayal.
Later he reconciled with her and maintained friendly relations. There were other women in his life, but most of all he loves his only granddaughter, to whom he is ready to inherit the Fashion House.
Orientation
There have always been many rumors about the fashion designer. Vyacheslav was credited with having relationships with men and talked about his non-traditional sexual orientation. The fashion designer himself never gave a specific answer to this question. He always said that this was only a small part of his busy life.
Relationships with men were indeed present in Zaitsev’s personal life, but Vyacheslav Mikhailovich himself does not consider himself a representative of sexual minorities or a homosexual.
Vyacheslav's wife - Marina Zaitseva
Vyacheslav was married.
The first and only wife is model Marina. They met at the Moscow Textile Institute and studied together. Vyacheslav was clearly no match for her. He is modest, insecure and shy. She is bright, charismatic and sexy. He lived in a dorm, and she, as a native Muscovite, lived with her parents in her own apartment. And yet she drew attention to a beginner and unknown fashion designer. In 1959, the lovers got married. Three years later, Marina gave birth to Zaitsev’s son, Yegor. After 7 years of marriage, she met another man and officially filed for divorce. Zaitsev himself was sure that his wife was brainwashed by her mother, who disliked her unpromising son-in-law at first sight.
After a high-profile divorce, Vyacheslav did not communicate with his son for 5 years, was in a state of deep depression, but was distracted by work and continued to create.
Zaitsev's second wife - Inna
At the Fashion House, an employee had long been in love with the fashion designer, who helped Vyacheslav Mikhailovich get out of deep depression against the backdrop of betrayal in love and loneliness.
They never registered their relationship in the registry office; they lived in a civil marriage. She did not remain indifferent when the fashion designer had an accident. She contributed in every possible way to his speedy rehabilitation. But after about a year their relationship ended. Later, Inna and Vyacheslav tried to start everything over again, but mutual enthusiasm also only lasted for 1 year.
Inna, the couturier's common-law companion
Some time after a painful divorce from his wife, Vyacheslav decided to have a relationship with knitwear artist Inna. Zaitsev knew that his subordinate had been in love with him for a long time and hoped that her support in a stressful situation would have a positive impact on her relationship with the fashion designer.
Like a tsunami, she hit me with her love.
However, Zaitsev no longer decided to officially register the marriage, although he lived with Inna under the same roof for two whole years.
Slava Zaitsev
After a long break, the relationship between Slava and Inna resumed. But this was facilitated not by true feelings, but by tragic events in Zaitsev’s biography. At the age of 33, the man was in a car accident, was unconscious for a long time in intensive care, and worked on rehabilitation for six months, walking on crutches. All this time, Inna, as a faithful and caring wife, was nearby, helping and inspiring her beloved. Only, having recovered, Zaitsev did not stay with her.
The first Soviet fashion designer
Accident
A terrible accident occurred when Zaitsev was 33 years old. He spent 9 days in intensive care, and surgeons wanted to cut off his right leg. But the fashion designer did not give up; he worked hard for 6 months to restore the mobility of the limb and return to his former life. The leg was saved, but it would cause him a lot of trouble in the future.
This accident strengthened the character of the melancholic Zaitsev and became the cause of serious health problems in the future. For example, in 2016, he had a titanium prosthesis installed in the knee joint of his right leg, and at the same time he was given a disappointing diagnosis - “Parkinson’s disease.”
Children and grandchildren
In 1961, Vyacheslav Zaitsev’s only son, Yegor, was born. When his parents divorced, the boy remained to live with his mother and had no contact with his father for almost 5 years; he was raised by a not entirely adequate stepfather. Later, their relationship was restored, Yegor followed in the footsteps of his star parent, also became a clothing designer, working at the Fashion House.
Yegor has a daughter, Marusya, who is Zaitsev’s own granddaughter. The girl also continued the family business, and in 2013 she became a graduate of the Fashion Laboratory and made her debut on the catwalk at the MERCEDES-BENZ Fashion Week Russia fashion show.
The great fashion designer is confident that his granddaughter has a bright future, both as a model and as the future owner of the Fashion House. The girl herself attracts attention with her non-standard appearance and creative style of clothing. He does not talk about his personal life.
CONCLUSION
This is how our famous compatriot, fashion trendsetter Vyacheslav Zaitsev, a fashion designer from God, was and remains. When asked by women how to remain attractive, fashionable, and unique, Slava Zaitsev always answered:
To be the most fashionable, it is best to wear white things, a white dress. There is a sense of celebration right away. A feeling of some kind of joy. Maiden purity. A woman, when she dresses like a woman, immediately... In some long dresses... A terrible sight. Youth passes so quickly, so you need to delay it at least for a moment.
And Slava Zaitsev today highly recommends wearing a jacket with wide shoulders, assuring that an elongated jacket with a narrow skirt will look very cool and expressive. Of course, as always, he thinks about thin and tall people, but what should we, beautiful and plump ones, do? :))
A person who considers his profession, which has become his life’s work, to be happy, inspires respect. Isn't it true, my reader? Do you go through life with fashion?
Is Ivan Rybnikov the son of Zaitsev?
It often happens to celebrities that their illegitimate children suddenly come forward, and they do it publicly and always as part of a scandalous TV show. Vyacheslav was no exception, who unexpectedly had a son from Orsk, Ivan Rybnikov.
A 40-year-old man came to the program “Let Them Talk” and demanded that the fashion designer recognize him as the legal heir. The master’s entourage reported that no one doubted Zaitsev’s integrity. As the DNA test showed, the men are not relatives, so Ivan did not manage to become a member of the star family or make money.
Childhood and adolescence
The childhood of the future famous couturier was during the difficult war and post-war years.
His father, Mikhail Yakovlevich, was captured at the front, was among many convicted for this, and after the end of the war was sent to a camp as an “anti-Soviet.” Maria Ivanovna, Vyacheslav’s mother, had to raise her youngest son and his older brother herself. The woman worked continuously to put her sons on their feet - she washed floors in the hallways and washed clothes. The boys, in turn, tried their best to help their mother with the housework, did well at school and tried not to cause her unnecessary trouble.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev in childhood
Despite difficult living conditions, Slava grew up as a cheerful, cheerful child, charming and charismatic. From an early age, he dreamed of becoming an artist and enjoyed performing at impromptu concerts, singing, dancing, reading poetry, and drawing posters. At the age of seven, he sang in the choir and even won a creative competition.
The young man failed to enter the music school - the shameful stigma of “the son of an enemy of the people” prevented him. For this unfortunate reason, Zaitsev decided to take the documents to the textile technical school, which usually had a shortage. Moreover, he had to study in the “textile capital” of the country - Ivanovo, where Vyacheslav was from.
Vyacheslav Zaitsev had to learn the craft in the “textile capital” - his native Ivanovo
Studying was easy for him, and after graduating from technical school with honors, Zaitsev decided to continue his education in Moscow. He felt that he had chosen the right path in life and was eager to realize the countless creative ideas that were born in his head.
Zaitsev and Regina Zbarskaya
The model was leading in the USSR. They said different things about her, mostly bad. Like, she wrote denunciations about other models, framed and even disrupted fashion shows. Later she left and lived abroad.
Vyacheslav has a different idea about this person, well known to him. When the autobiographical film “The Red Queen” (Ukraine) was released, the fashion designer completely disagreed with how model Regina Zbarskaya was portrayed. He expressed his indignation and even saw political implications in the plot.
Where is fashion designer Zaitsev now?
Today the artist's name is associated with a gang of scammers who wanted to profit from his status and reputation in society. A couple of months ago, scammers cut off all communications at the Fashion House and set up redirection to contacts. We also got to Zaitsev’s bank accounts and cards.
The problem was soon fixed, but the fashion designer suffered enormous financial losses. The son of Vyacheslav Mikhailovich reported this publicly in the press.
