This year’s Moscow Fashion Week once again proved that fashion is far more than aesthetics; it is storytelling stitched into fabric, colour, and design.
The event ran from 28 August to 2 September at Zaryadye Park, the city’s architectural gem, and positioned itself as an epicentre of creativity.
Alongside the dazzling runway shows, the programme included lectures from industry experts, a market, a business showroom, and the World Fashion Shorts film festival.
Running in tandem with the BRICS Fashion Summit, the week also engaged with broader conversations in the global fashion landscape, touching on sustainability, artificial intelligence, cross-border collaborations, and the art of storytelling.
The runway became a space for identity and innovation, where each collection offered more than just trends; it carried the weight of personal histories and cultural narratives.
Designers from around the globe participated, including South Africa’s David Tlale, Moscow’s Yana Besfamilnaya, Turkey’s Emre Erdemoglu, St Petersburg’s Za_Za, India’s Shantnu Nikhil, Moscow’s Mandragora and its digital heritage collection, and Brazil’s Artemisi.
Each collection reflected the unique background and ambitions of its creator, blending glamour with authenticity.
One of the standout voices of the week was Nikita Kalmykov, founder of Russian fashion brand ODOR. His label is known for its genderless designs, use of recycled vintage materials, and themes drawn from childhood memories and Russian history.
“The brand is about recycling vintage textiles and rethinking intimate stories,” Kalmykov told the Saturday Star. “For example, the white pieces in my first collection in 2018 were made from original home textiles found in Russian households. I wanted to give them a new life and direction.”
He also shared insights into his creative process, mentioning the significance of photoshoots that reflect his brand’s narrative. His choice of models and concepts contributes to the overall storytelling aspect of his collections.
“Photoshoots are very important to me. I like to work with different kinds of people and choose everything myself – from the models to the concept. It’s part of how the brand tells its story.”
Another highlight was Summit’s Business Program, which focused on key strategic themes such as sustainable production, creativity and innovation, professional education, expansion of international trade relations, and the challenges faced by BRICS+ nations and the wider global community.
Members of the delegation shared key insights and brought extensive expertise to the summit. Their participation highlights the Summit’s commitment to fostering long-term cooperation, cultural exchange, and empowering talented local brands from emerging regions.
As Moscow Fashion Week wrapped up, it underscored once more that fashion is not only about what people wear; it’s about the narratives they carry, the identities they celebrate, and the voices they amplify on and off the runway.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star