Fashion historian… It is the appearance of Alexander Vasilyev that comes to mind when we hear these two seemingly ordinary words. But delve into their meaning: this is a person who has known all the subtleties of world fashion trends throughout the history of mankind. His life cannot be ordinary, millions of people around the world listen to his opinion. Shouldn't he be called a "style icon"?
Alexander Vasiliev: biography
So, Sasha was born on December 8, 1958 in a family, to put it mildly, of people of creativity: People's Artist of Russia Alexander Pavlovich and drama theater actress Tatyana Vasilyeva. Apparently, the son from childhood followed in the footsteps of his parents, since at the age of 12 he staged his first performance. But long before that, he tried (and very successfully) his hand in the field of creating theatrical costumes and stage scenery. Having succeeded in this business, he easily entered the Moscow Art Theater and already in 1980 he received a diploma of graduation from the Production Department. After that, his professional career began. First he got a job in one of the Moscowtheaters as a costume designer, and two years later he flew to France to become a world-famous theater decorator.
There was no end to those wishing to learn from the developing artist, so Alexander Vasilyev decides to become a teacher as well. He conducted his lectures and master classes in four languages, and they took place literally all over the world.
TV presenter-2009
The beginning of a new century promised Vasiliev new opportunities. In 2002, he begins his work on television. He became the author and host of the Breath of the Century program, which was broadcast on the Culture channel. In parallel, Alexander Vasiliev opens his own design studio in the capital, with the help of which he plans to popularize the rich Russian traditions and present them in a "Parisian veneer".
He does not forget about his pedagogical activity either - he teaches fashion theory at Moscow State University and other major domestic universities. Since 2005, Alexander has opened his own touring school, which recruits listeners and makes tours with them to the world's fashion capitals.
In 2009, with the release on the blue screens of the program "Fashionable Sentence", Alexander Vasilyev became known to a wide range of viewers. And although the fans reacted violently to the replacement of Slava Zaitsev with a new TV presenter, the always confident Sasha quickly won their sympathy.
In the same year, a fashion critic becomes the head of the Moscow Fashion Academy at Ostankino.
Awarded means recognized
"Lilies of Alexander Vasiliev" moretimes confirm his world-renowned taste in fashion. This international award is awarded only to the most worthy, according to Vasiliev, interior works of Russian and foreign designers. The winners receive branded hand-made lilies as a prize, each of which has its own number and passport.
Alexander himself also does not suffer from a lack of recognition: he was solemnly awarded the Diaghilev and Nijinsky medals, the Gold Medal of the Russian Academy of Arts for his contribution to the development of Russian art, as well as the Patron Order. In addition, he twice won the Tobab award, and in 2011 he became an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Life in a museum
It turns out that the extravagant fashion designer and collector Vasiliev can be found in an ordinary antique shop or in the market. Of course, where else can you so easily find an old thing and add it to your collection! And Alexander collects literally everything that can come to mind, but his pride is a collection of outfits with a long history, which, by approximate standards, costs about two million euros.
Nadezhda Babkina, a colleague of the designer on the shooting of the Fashion Sentence program, shared with reporters her impressions of what she saw in Vasiliev's house. According to her, Alexander's housing reminded her of some huge museum. Everything is here: from the wondrous beauty of vintage dresses and hats to antique caskets and other details.interior. But the most valuable exhibit in this collection is still Alexander Vasiliev himself. The biography of an outstanding 55-year-old artist, fashion designer, critic and just an extravagant and charming man will not allow you to doubt this.
Golden Anniversary
Yes, it was Vasilyev who turned 55 in 2013. But you won't tell! A person is young in soul and body, he sincerely loves art and at his age has already become an integral part of it. But there is no need to guess how old Alexander Vasiliev is - he himself does not hide it. What is it for? For his half-century lived, he managed as much as not everyone can do, and at the same time, as the fashion historian himself says, he made himself, although he pays tribute to his parents, who made the very first push into the world of art.
And, oddly enough, the audience of the not-so-young designer is quite diverse: his fans are women aged 14 to 96. But the statistics of Vasiliev's personal site suggests that his main fans are girls under 26 years old. Well, Sasha, the attention of women is always an indicator, so keep it up!
Alexander Vasiliev: personal life
As we have said before, Alexander moved to Paris quite young. But how did it happen? The prudent Sasha simply married a familiar Frenchwoman who at that time was on an internship in Russia. But the formal wife of Alexander Vasiliev, with whom he had been married for four years, knew everything: that he just wanted to leave for the capital of fashion, andtrue love of a husband. She turned out to be the artist Masha Winber-Lavrova, with whom he lived neither more nor less, but three magnificent years.
Collection above all else
Nothing strange in the fact that one of the leading domestic (and not only) trendsetters allows himself to deny world stars their whims. Take even the Nicole Kidman incident, which any
designer in the world would want to wear. The Australian beauty wished to star in the film "Lady from Shanghai" in one of Vasiliev's collection dresses. But he had the audacity to refuse her agent. He explained such an act by the unwillingness to spoil the historical original, although he cordially offered to imitate the dress that Nicole liked. And if you believe his words, then neither Coco Chanel herself, nor Audrey Hepburn, he would have honored such an honor. Although, as the fashion designer admitted, he is an ardent admirer of both legendary women. Apparently, Alexander Vasiliev loves his exhibits more than his popularity.
Some interesting facts from the life of Vasiliev
- When 12-year-old Sasha went to school, his classmates called him a "garbage man". This is because the guy already then began to collect antiques. And where else, if not in the garbage dumps, could such things be found at that time?
- It was Sasha Vasilyev who became the founder of the fashion for men's neckerchiefs in Russia, and Yudashkin and Zaitsev, Mikhalkov and Menshikov are considered his followers in this today.
- The mostAlexander considers Lyudmila Gurchenko, Renata Litvinova and … Maxim Galkin to be stylish stars of domestic show business.
- Vasiliev is a jack of all trades. Even working with a hammer is not a problem for him. Especially often he has to drive in nails at home. What for? It's simple - he hangs old paintings from his own collection on his own and only on nails hammered with his own hands.
- A world-famous designer is often invited to act in films, mainly for the roles of imposing aristocrats and noblemen, to whom Alexander Vasilyev so corresponds (his photos always somehow remind us of the times of landowners and noble gentlemen). And in 2012, he even auditioned for the role of Napoleon, but for some mysterious reason, all projects with his participation end in nothing.
