by MARIE MEYER
  • 2 minute read
  • November 11, 2024
Yudashkin unveils Haute Couture 2025 in Dubai

On November 2, 2024, Dubai became the unlikely setting for a celebration of Russian elegance as YUDASHKIN’s Haute Couture 2025 Collection took centre stage. Gala Yudashkin, the creative director of the iconic fashion house, presented a collection that transcended conventional runway boundaries, crafting an event that merged the delicate artistry of St. Petersburg’s winter with the high-tech innovation of video mapping. This wasn’t just fashion; it was a captivating experience that immersed guests in the ethereal beauty of a Russian winter night.

Valentin Yudashkin Haute Couture 2025 Collection. Image: Supplied.

Inspired by the watercolour artistry of Olga Kabaeva, Gala Yudashkin envisioned a collection that would capture the atmosphere of St. Petersburg in winter, a season marked by icy geometry and soft, diffused light. Kabaeva’s paintings, known for their intricate depictions of the Neva River’s icy patterns and the moody skies of St. Petersburg, served as the creative spark behind the collection. Through this inspiration, YUDASHKIN set out to encapsulate the city’s frosty allure in a way that felt timeless yet strikingly modern.

To transport guests into this winter wonderland, YUDASHKIN employed video mapping technology, casting scenes of icy rivers, glittering ice floes, and shifting winter skies across the runway. Models moved through these digital landscapes, becoming part of a larger story about nature, artistry, and the vibrant spirit of the Russian city. The atmosphere was one of quiet grandeur, each element connecting the audience to the heart of St. Petersburg.

Valentin Yudashkin Haute Couture 2025 Collection. Image: Supplied.

Yudashkin’s colour palette for this collection reflects the intensity and beauty of a winter’s day in St. Petersburg. Rich, profound tones like ultramarine and indigo reflect the shadows of icy waters, while shades of turquoise and warm nudes echo the delicate light that emerges on a winter morning. The craftsmanship behind each garment is meticulous, with complex cuts, layered textures, and elegant draping that give the pieces movement and depth. Intricate hand-stitched appliqué, colour-blended embroidery, and natural feather detailing further enhanced the opulence, adding subtle texture and drama.

The choice of fabrics brought out the elegance and strength of each design. Rich velvets, glossy satins, delicate organza, airy silk chiffons, tulle, and gleaming lamé flowed through the collection, each textile selected to represent a different aspect of the winter landscape. Adorned with crystal beads, glass accents, and sequins, the garments shimmered under the lights like frost on an early morning, adding a sense of magic to each step down the runway.

Valentin Yudashkin Haute Couture 2025 Collection. Image: Supplied.

A notable highlight of the collection was its exclusive accessory line. YUDASHKIN collaborated with a renowned glass studio to craft rings and earrings that embodied the essence of winter’s beauty. These pieces, designed to resemble “frozen” fragments of Kabaeva’s watercolour paintings, were as much a part of the storytelling as the garments themselves. Each accessory, unique and handcrafted, felt like a small, wearable piece of the winter landscape, adding a finishing touch to the couture’s immersive narrative.

With her Haute Couture 2025 Collection, Gala Yudashkin has redefined the fashion show experience. By blending art, couture, and cutting-edge technology, she paid tribute to the beauty of St. Petersburg and reminded the world of haute couture’s power to tell stories that transcend time and place. This collection is not only a statement of artistic craftsmanship but a celebration of the enduring allure of St. Petersburg in winter—a city frozen in time yet alive with beauty.

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