Innovation and Future for Young Designers at the Forefront of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia

As the “Big Four” international fashion weeks wrap up its latest shows at the end of September, the spotlight shifts to Moscow where MBFW Russia is held. In a very high energy and exciting week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia continues to position itself at the forefront of innovation, creativity, and support for its young designers.
On October 17th, the 37th season debuted and highlighted several exciting firsts in fashion at Moscow’s Manege, the beautiful facility where the fashion week is held each season. The much-anticipated week was full of surprises and new directions, making it the most innovative of Fashions Weeks in Russia and among the global fashion world.
This season, the week kicked off at the Futurum Moscow and Futurum Accelerator, a platform for young talents that is organized by the Russian Fashion Council to provide opportunity and funding for young designers with big ideas. Techno beats and creativity dominated the runway as 21 young brands showcased their collections. For many, it was their first show, while some graduating students, like Volchok and Otocycon, have been utilizing this opportunity for a few seasons. Edgy street style wear, architectural shapes and extraordinary presentations were at the forefront of the first evening of Fashion Week Russia.

Image Courtesy MBFW Russia
Secondly, Fashion Week offered a Pop-Up Shop in the at the Manage where thousands of visitors and buyers passed each day. “We saw the Pop-Up idea as a platform for young brands and designers with smaller collections to get exposure and get noticed during MBFW Russia, and meet with the many passionate supporters of Russian fashion, “explained Mr. Alexander Shumsky, President of the Russian Fashion Council.
“This Pop-Up Shop concept is definitely an opportunity for small brands like mine, Otocycon or my husband’s, brand Volchok to dip our feet into the real world and get exposure and support we otherwise would not be able to pull off,” said Lesya Volchok-Rusakovich a young creative during a brief interview at the Pop-Up Shop.
This approach is a true opportunity for up and coming young designers to showcase their talent, with the potential to become the next Gosha Rubchinsky, the seminal designer that put Russia on the world fashion map several years ago.

Image Courtesy MBFW Russia
Finally, the biggest and most exciting surprise of the week was the innovation and diversity seen on the runway during the I-Inclusive Fashion Show by Ksenia Bezuglova. Ksenia, who is in a wheelchair due to a car accident, was recruited to be the ambassador of the eye-opening show for people with disabilities. These clothes are designed in collaboration with the research facility “Motorica”, “Exoatlet”, Moscow Technological Institute and Sensor-Tech led by Sergey Kornauhov. The smart clothing empowered these individuals to overcome disabilities. For example, a woman was wearing a bodysuit that allows her nerveless arm to move fingers and gives her the ability to play instruments! A smart walking stick gives the ability to the blind and the deaf-blind to roam with confidence. The stick can recognize faces, objects, and define obstacles and distance between them. This was without a doubt the most touching and inspiring show of the week.

Image Courtesy MBFW Russia
These are just a few initiatives that set Russia apart from the traditional Fashion Weeks and positions Russia as a leader in innovation and support for their talent. In its Fashion Weeks, we are seeing how Russia is supporting and encouraging its young designers to look to the future of fashion as a visionary and responsible force to make a positive change in people’s lives.
Very interesting reading! Good job!
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I didn’t know there were so many different fashion weeks. I actually learned a lot about this. Thanks.
I admit, I don’t get fashion, but it’s always inspiring what people can create. I’m all about jeans and t-shirts personally. But it’s neat to see what people come up with.
I love the futurist look of everyone! I’m not super hip to fashion but everything looks so cool!
I love seeing Fashion Week in New York, Paris and everywhere! It’s so inspiring to see so many talented designers from Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week in Russia! All the collections are so innovative and futuristic.
I love the diversity part of the show – this is wonderful! I have always wanted to attend a fashion show. One day, perhaps 🙂 Hope you enjoyed your night!
this must be so exciting! how i wish we activities like this here in my city! im very much into fashion and would surely appreciate this!
Not much into fashion, I can say that. But I like you can create sub categories into this now.They all look futuristic and all trendy.
I love how they were so inclusive of those with disabilities! Your post provided a lot of insight!
It sounds like a very successful fashion show event and everyone looks really amazing with what their wearing. I adore those who made this possible and all collections are beautiful!
I always think of the most well-known, iconic brands being a part of MBFW. To have a platform for young, burgeoning designers with shows and a pop-up show is great for the designers and the fashion industry. I can only imagine the excitement for all of those new fashion houses!
So great to see fashion taking a new direction and no longer focusing on the perfect model and size zero outfits. Is the world getting more realistic? Or is it me?
I honestly don’t know where to start when it comes to trendy fashion. Your post looks very professional. That green face is very futuristic? The whole thing is very interesting! Fascinating!
Wow! I love these ideas of using regular people as models. Sometimes, we have such a high regard for models that it’s as if the common folk cannot be able to wear designer clothes if you don’t look like a goddess. Love love love!
I’m not big on fashion these days. I’ve passed that torch down to my kids. it’s fun to watch the trends though.
Oh I just love that modern look of FW in Russia. Such amazing innovative designers!
I love watching fashion show! how I wish we have same activities like this here in my hometown! Love your photo models!
All of these looks are amazing! I love all of the different fashion shows out there and being able to see all of the different creations and creativity. This one looks like it definitely has a lot of creativity. Thanks for sharing!
so nice to see people with disabilities on the runway! representation matters