St-EYE-lista
Take 2
Welcome back to our bi-monthly column "The St-EYE-lista!" This column features an individual whose personal style captured our EYE and whose fashion sense can be reinterpreted for the modest dresser. Wear Your Invisible Crown is eclectic. We enjoy representing styles that swing all over the fashion pendulum. Whether your P.S. (personal style) is tomboyish, retro, glamourous, edgy, or classic, we've got you covered.
This month’s St-EYE-lista is a 21st century Anna Karenina, Lucille Ball, Russian Babushka, and Grace Kelly all rolled into one. Did that pique your interest? Good…It totally should. Her name is Ulyana Sergeenko and she is the second wife to Russian insurance billionaire Danil Khachaturov. At first glance, Sergeenko appears to be yet another Eastern European beauty with the graceful mannerisms of a well-pampered, hoity-toity, high-society woman. Yet, upon closer inspection, one will realize that she is also a deeply creative, avant-garde artiste.
This month’s St-EYE-lista is a 21st century Anna Karenina, Lucille Ball, Russian Babushka, and Grace Kelly all rolled into one. Did that pique your interest? Good…It totally should. Her name is Ulyana Sergeenko and she is the second wife to Russian insurance billionaire Danil Khachaturov. At first glance, Sergeenko appears to be yet another Eastern European beauty with the graceful mannerisms of a well-pampered, hoity-toity, high-society woman. Yet, upon closer inspection, one will realize that she is also a deeply creative, avant-garde artiste.
Over the past couple of years, Sergeenko has focused on developing a couture line founded in Moscow. Although she does not yet possess the fame and publicity of other European couture labels (Chanel and Dior), she is still highly illustrious in the fashion universe (especially the Russian fashion universe—Miroslava Duma and model Natalie Vodianova are dedicated followers).
Sergeenko’s couture collection is a gift to all vintage-infatuated women. It's simultaneously reminiscent of Jane Austen novels, Grimm’s fairy-tales, Old Hollywood glamour, and Russian aristocracy. The silhouettes, patterns, and textures of Sergeenko’s collection emanate a certain eloquence and nostalgia, one that touches upon every woman's whispered yearning to be queen for a day. (This fantasy starts when a girl is about three and never seems to end...). In addition, although Sergeenko isn’t Jewish, her
style is very modest. (Perhaps more modest than the author's? Oy vey).
Without further ado, let us revel in the womanly and aristocratic style of Ulyana Sergeenko!
Floral Femme
Sergeenko’s garments often have colorful floral prints. They are luscious and vibrant and transport you to an English garden. What more can a woman ask for?
Gypsy Beauty
Sergeenko also seems to derive
inspiration from the Gypsy community in Russia. (Many Gypsies dwell in Eastern
European countries like Romania and Yugoslavia). Their style subsists of
billowy maxi skirts in cheerful hues and prints. These skirts are the epitome
of bohemia and femininity. Pull a swift “Ulyana Sergeenko” on everyone (that’s
right—I’m turning her name into a verb!) and wear a floor-sweeping, dramatic maxi skirt to your next family Simcha. It’s so novel and fresh.
Audrey, Grace, and…Ulyana?
Flared Skirts and Feminine Details
Flared Skirts and Feminine Details
I’m a 1950s fashion-fiend! I Love Lucy re-runs on Nickelodeon Late-at-Night are definitely to blame for my Old Hollywood fixations. No other decade in the 20th century captured sheer femininity and understated glamour more precisely than the 1950s. Sergeenko’s style is a mirror for this era. Hourglass silhouettes, swingy skirts, and ladylike pocketbooks dominate her collection. Who needs a time machine when you can don an outfit like this? All we need now is for Ricki to say "Lucy! I'm home!" and we're all set.
Coco, Marilyn, and…Ulyana? Structured Clothing and Classicism
Opt
for clean tailoring, high-waist pencil skirts, and classic patterns and you’re suddenly Coco Chanel in her prime. This is the definition of style
timelessness.
Play with Proportions
Classicism is always perfect, but sadly,
even perfection can become stale if you embrace it too much. In order to avoid a
fashion rut, Sergeenko vitalizes her couture line with unexpected shapes and proportions.
She has wide skirts that kind of veer off into Lady Gaga territory, coats with
frilly pom-poms, and hats that mimic the Russian men of yore!
Well-read =Well Dressed
Not only is Sergeenko entranced with mid 20th century
haute couture, but also with 19th century ball gowns. One glance at
her evening wear and I suddenly find myself dancing in a parallel universe: One
that has a Mr. Darcy and an Elizabeth Bennett engaged in verbal sparring, or
perhaps an Anna Karenina shyly flirting with a certain Count Vronsky. The N.Y.
Times stated that "Ms. Sergeenko was raised in a family of linguists, and said she
continues to take inspiration from literature." How fascinating.
Ulyana Wears her “Visible
Crown.”
Ulyana Sergeenko should totally design
a head-covering collection for married Jewish women. It would sell like
hot cakes. Her Parisian berets, kerchiefs, headbands, tiaras, and even snoods (!) are the definition of lovely.
Period.
In
my opinion, Ulyana Sergeenko is a fashion visionary. In a world that is filled
with tattered jeans, tiny cutoff shorts, and shapeless dresses with
triple-digit prices, she passionately creates art. Her style evokes delicate femininity
and dreamy romance. As Sergeenko once said “my clothes are for every woman who
wants to be beautiful.” Count me in as a loyal fan Ulyana...I want to be beautiful.
UNTIL NEXT MONTH'S STY-EYE-LISTA!
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This is SO beautiful!
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