Russia Launches Its Own Fashion Council To Support Local Talent

Russian Fashion Week has been held biannually in Moscow for the past 15 years, yet many Russian designers have struggled to grow their businesses. The reason for this is lack of support. According to Fashionista, Moscow has never had programs, funds, scholarships or mentorship for emerging designers like New York and London do. On Friday, Oct. 24, the president and co-founder of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia, Alexander Shumsky, announced the launch of the Russian Fashion Council. A press statement described it as "national fashion councils" in "key fashion markets."

The council will bring together Russian fashion designers, manufacturers and experts involved in the development of the fashion business in Russia. The council is also working with Russia's Ministry of Trade to make it easier for designers to export goods internationally. If this council is successful, we may start seeing more Russian designers in U.S. stores.

"We have a lot of designers, but their business is very, very tiny," Shumsky said at a roundtable discussion with other members of the press Friday. "The idea is to teach them and promote them and help them to do business. A lot of designers are surviving from show to show."

The council plans to launch projects and activities to support Russian fashion, but no specifics were available as to what those programs would be. Chances are it won't involve a fund for designers anytime soon. Shumsky seems to think that "if you give cash to a young designer, he will fly to [the] Maldives."

The council will, however, help facilitate relationships between designers and investors who are interested.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia took over the style radar for the spring 2014 collections. According to Fashion TV, from Oct. 25-31, Moscow opens its doors to more than 70 leading designers from Russia, Britain, Japan and other countries to showcase their latest collections.