If you happen to be in Moscow this May, take a chance to see breathtaking photoes of celebrities and top models taken by one of the most influential fashion photographers Paolo Roversi. His works are on display in the Manezh exhibition centre and are part of the Photobennale 2010 event. It may take you hours to go through the whole exhibition, as apart from admiring the outer beauty of these mostly monochrome polaroid shots, you are bound to stand in front of each of them engaged in inner conversation with the models. Natalia Vodianova, who seems to be his favourite model, and other celebrities seem to expose the depth of their soul. Roversi puts this down to the slow exposures of two or three seconds that he uses. Don't miss the show.

Paolo Roversi's triumphant presence in Moscow was not limited by the exhibition though. Below is the result of his colaboration with Vogue (Russia) magazine.

In a fashion shoot called 'Russia that we didn't lose' he and a famous British make-up artist Linda Cantello were inspired by the crative work of a famous Russian theatre impresario Sergey Dyagilev. 100 years ago this energetic man from a remote Russian countryside performed a revolution in the classical ballet, making it much more expressive and sensual. Roversi and Cantello aimed to create very provocative, intellectual and fashionable photos. Fashionable, indeed, as they are not the first artists to refer to the Dyagilev motives. Latest haut-couture shows in Paris payed tribute to the great master by including feathers (Jean Paul Gaultier), semi-transperent eye bandages (Valentino), white as a sheet make up (Armani Prive). However, great talent and great deeds never lose actuality.

Make maximum use of this season's trend - maxi. As designers transfer maxi-skirts and dresses from the wardrobes of literary heroines and bluestockings to catwalks, even the most addicted fans of daring minis are trying on this new length. Long sun-dresses weared with flat sandals and denim or leather jacket are a perfect day outfit, while combined with wedge-heeled shoes can create a nice variant for a night out. Looks great with long coat or belted trench in nude colour.

Where does a fine line between politically engaged art and that coming from the artist's heart and reflecting his soul, lie? Moscow celebrates the work of a famous Russian Soviet-time artist Alexander Daineka featuring his painting, sculptures and mosaics - all depicting people making their contibution to the promotion of socilaism as a political philosophy. They are either joyfully playing sports (sports and public activity promotion), enjoying themselves on a sea resort (to support good state of health), or selflessly doing socially useful work (no comment). In case a disaster, such as war, occured people were facing them surprisingly imperturbably, humbly and courageously. Public's impressions from the exhibition vary waving on the scale between "sickly-sweet and improbable" to "admirable and inspiring". But to make bold judgements and not to sound as bold as brass, one needs to spend hours and hours in libraries and archives, thoroughly researching the period, the artist's biography and creative activity. Daineka himself said that he wanted his creations to stay positive, no matter what. And he is definitely worth looking at and admiring as the author of fantastically beautiful mosaics made especially for the Moscow metro station Mayakovskaya. see below


another pic from the exhibition

By the way, the show is called “To Work, To Build And Not To Whine”. Very inspiring and timely

One of the brightest and the most unusual shows was that of a famous Russian designer Tatyana Parfionova. Her clothes are so ornate and elaborate that they could easily become costumes for a theatre performance of historic films. The show could be called anything but catwalk, with opera singers and ballerinas showing their talents, alongside dresses, instead of models. The designer is showing once again her distinctive style and live for her country: she found inspiration in Russia’s rich history and art of all forms from poetry to music.

A touch of politics on the runway. A politician, business woman and designer Irina Khakamada presented her Autumn-Winter 2009/2010 collection, dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory in World War II. Solid shapes of military coats and uniform jackets rethought into feminine-looking dresses in predominantly white, grey and black colors, flat boots and knee-high boots and shortcut boyfriend-fit pants go in line with the brand’s style credentials – creating easy to wear, practical and at the same time very stylish clothes.

Day 2 of the RFW was announced the British Day, which saw cutting-edge fashion designers from the UK presenting Moscow with their latest collections. Clare Lopeman, Eley Kishimoto, PPQ and Osman Yousefzada attracted attention of the audience and fashion people, both on the runway and the backstage. His ‘Collection number 9’ is an amalgam of elegance and sexiness. The blooming fashion Afghan-British designer whose clothes are worn by Sarah Brown, Cate Blanchett, Kate Moss and Mischa Barton, communicates his idea of fashion to the audience through his show: fashion is not just for the young.

The first big event which grabbed my attention and much of my time was Russian Fashion Week. Despite recent report by a US-based trade consultancy RTW predicting a severe crisis in the Russian fashion industry, the top 6-day fashion event got underway in the Russian capital on April 1. By tradition, this anniversary 20th season kicked off with a show by Russia’s landmark designer, Slava Zaitsev (RTW, report rates him among the most well-known Russian fashion brands, along with Denis Simachev and Valentin Yudashkin). Once referred to as the “Red Dior” by the Western media, a 72-year-old designer remains a guru of the Russian fashion, known for his timeless style associated with quality, tradition and respectability.

From London to Moscow. After spending two months in the UK capital, I found myself back in my home city. Not that it has much changed, but it took me some time to realize where I am, who I am and when I am going back (the Icelandic volcano has interfered into my plans, as well as in those of millions of other passengers wishing (in vain) to make their way from Russia to Europe and vice versa). Anyway, the volcanic ash which covered the sky made it clear for me that it was absolutely necessary to tell what was happening in Moscow’s cultural life and what I’ve been doing here over the last several weeks. First of all, I should say that the experience of living outside your native country is invaluable and highly beneficial. You start looking at people, events and everything around you in a new way. Through the prism of your new experience. Which at times seems like a dream. The countries are really far away, not physically though but culturally and mentally. And this certainly makes the process of delving from one cultural tradition into another and back (hopefully, if the fog lifts, I will go back to London for another couple of months to live up to my name of the London Blogger) yet more exciting.

As an array of top high fashion designers reveal their eco-credentials, sustainability seems to be thriving here. As you walk down Brick Lane on Saturday morning, you inevitably come across young people who really belong to this place: popping into vintage shops, gazing at the windows, returning from parties – they look peculiar and unique. Do they spend enormous money on their ‘cool’ outfits? Very unlikely. They show no sign of brand-obsession whatsoever, and grin at questions about their style icon. They shop on flea markets, in vintage and charity shops, ‘borrow’ from friends and inherit from their parents. Or turn to small brands for sustainable eco-friendly clothes and accessories. What they wear seems to be a form of self-expression not only in terms of style but also their ethic position, which is really up-to-date and relevant for contemporary fashion industry. More and more fashion brands, from Stella McCartney and YSL to Anthropologie and Edun state their engagement in environmental and ethical fields. The idea of wearing clothes that have already been worn, and that fabric should not be obsolete after a season, is “trendy”. So, Brick Lane shows the moods of advanced people and may itself be inspiration for fashion designers. And while luxury fashion companies are coming up with their eco-friendly policies and creative ideas for next season, this narrow street in East London is the place to look at.

Today, as I was buying a new (additional to the one I already have) day cream, I realised that I am a perfect beauty product consumer ... exquisite ads and arresting images which appeal to one's imagination really work. If such an ad 'arrests' me, it becomes an almost fixed idea. I need this cream/mascara/lip gloss... now! I can change my day scedule so that to be able to pop into one of the stores to take hold of it. Actually, it does matter what store it is. My favourite ones are huge, rather posh, full of light and brand new scents. Buying a new beauty product is a ritual and everything matters: where you do it, how you look, what you wear. You really want to be up to the mark as you delve into this magic world ... and your purchase will surely allow you to take part of it home. Now that I have it in my arsenal there is no doubt that from this moment on I will be absolutely irresistible, desired, confident, successful. If I had to write an essay on "If I had a million dollars, I would..." I would probably write a horrific (in its selfishness) thing : I would take all the beautiful tubes, bottles of perfume, boxes home. However, when you have it all (or almost all) you are most likely to feel fed-up pretty soon. So, I'll better take this 'fantastic' cream now and will come for a shampoo which will surely make my hair lustrous next time ... and will preserve this childish feeling of genuine happiness.

Portobello Road Market is known for its second-hand clothes and antiques as well as a setting of a scene for Walt Disney musical film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. It's also one of 'must-visit' spots in London guidebooks as a very trendy place. First and foremost, it's a marketplace, where people either trade or buy some goods. All goods here are either old or very old, which makes this street market a paradise for vintage lovers. And although buying a shabby dress that was in fashion some 50 years ago may be controversial for a common visitor, it may be the place where you feel for the first time that London is a special city with its unique atmospere and mood. It is inspiring indeed. You can either wonder around rows of stalls with clothes, each of which represents a particular historic period and trend, look at small colorful buildings, pop into a cafe and have a delicious cupcake (the best I have tried in London so far), or in a spanish food shop - you are most likely to be lost in time and space.. which is definitely worth doing at some point. And it may well be that coming to Portobello market will become your weekend's habit. And who knows maybe one day you will end up buying a fantastic glitzy top to become a queen of a night out.

My first attempt to set up a blog recently was a complete failure... I was on skype talking to may boyfriend who was trying to explain his technology ignorant girlfriend how to become part of the global blogging community and automatically wrote "eiyweryiweyrwewuiriw" on the wall of my facebook profile and (also automatically) pressed button "to share" ... So the first ever comment I got was "???" from my most quickly-reacting friends ) But ventures which start unsuccessfully, to say the least, usually turn out to be very worthy. I hope this will be the case with my blog. Intrestingly, I have never thought about creating my blog. I've always liked writing, and probably my style is close to confession-like, it is very frank. But I felt somewhat uneasy about the fact that many people, including those I may not know, will have access to my ideas, thoughts, feelings. But it's high time that I have started it ... Especially taking account that I have settled down in London for some time... London is the place to start setting yourself free. Free from prejudicies, complexes and 'stiffnesses'. Here I am planning to share my ideas on my favourite topic - lifestyle - through the prisme of my growing expertise in this subject and this fantastic city I have chance to live in at least for a while ... So, let's get started. Tomorrow my friend is taking me and another friend to Portobello .... really looking forward... hopefully will get nice pictures.