The work of Evgenia Luzhina-Salazar encapsulate a range of Russian folk and imperial styles, combining floral prints with elaborately beaded headdresses.
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Hleb Makarevich
On Dec. 7, Maryland-based, Moscow-born fashion designer Evgenia Luzhina-Salazar presented a collection of her work from three consecutive years at New York’s Couture Fashion Week at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in an evening sponsored by the Russian Embassy, the Russian Center of Science and Culture and the UMBC Russian Club.
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Evgenia Luzhina-Salazar was born in Moscow. She received a B.A. in Fine Art and Design from Moscow Art College in 1980. For five years, Evgenia served as the Resident Set and Costume Designer for the Moscow Chamber Forms Theater.
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There, she designed numerous productions, which were staged in Moscow, Los Angeles and Washington DC. In 1991 Evgenia came to the United States of America where she continues to exhibit her extensive experience in Art and Theatrical Set and Costumes Designs.
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Evgenia has been a costume designer for the last 30 years. She worked for different theaters in Russia and Unites States where she has created costumes for more than 50 plays.
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Luzhina-Salazar presented four collections: Fifty Shades of Red; Russian Dolls; Renaissance Drama; and Russian Wedding. The work encapsulated a range of Russian folk and imperial styles, combining peasant floral prints with corseted taffeta gowns and elaborately beaded headdresses (kokoshniki).
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“My head pieces are just to make the outfit more spectacular. I know no one is going to wear them to work,” says the designer.
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According to Luzhina-Salazar, “When a designer designs clothes, they are supposed to make people more beautiful. Everytime I design a dress I am thinking about how to make this girl more beautiful."
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“I never know how a dress is going to finish. I just create it, and see what happens at the end. Every time I finish, I’m like, ‘Wow, I did it! Wow it’s different!”
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“Couture, it means “one and only.” One special dress, handmade. It’s couture.”
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Although Luzhina-Salazar doesn’t care to label her dresses as “Russian,” it is clear that she channels her heritage in the shapes and patterns of her clothes.
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“If you think very widely,” says Luzhina-Salazar, “there is no such thing as Russian fashion or American fashion or French fashion. For me, fashion is just beauty. If you see a beautiful girl or a beautiful shape, it doesn't matter which country the clothes belong to.”
