The Mikhalkov family has left a legacy and each member of the family is involved in the field of art. Actor and film director Nikita Mikhalkov’s wife, Tatiana, was under the shade of her famous husband for many years and it seemed as though she didn’t want to appear in the public eye.
However, ten years ago, Tatiana Mikhalkova made her “Russian Silhouette” project a reality. The project was aimed towards helping young models and developing local clothes production. The “Russian Silhouette” contest is non-governmental and is not based on commerce. It brings designers from the CIS and Baltic countries together and, as president of that benevolent fund T. Mikhalkova says, “The contest gives youth the chance to show themselves.”
The best fashion designers are chosen from different cities and countries and are invited to the exhibition in Moscow. They are then given opportunities to study and pursue their careers. The main prize is not the money, but rather the opportunity for young fashion designers to sell their own products and teach in well-known fashion homes.
“Russian Silhouette” is in Armenia for the fourth time this year. Twenty Armenian fashion designers made it to the semi-finals and three were chosen as the best, including Anna Gharibyan with her “Two in One” collection, Suzy Avetisyan with her “Armenian alphabet” collection, and Nectar Vasilyan with her “New Folk” men’s wear collection.
“We always have a hard time choosing the best. Only two designers can make the trip to Moscow, but we invite more Armenian designers each year,” says T. Mikhalkova.
This year is no exception. An extra Armenian fashion designer, Gevorg Vartanyan, will also have the chance to leave for Moscow to participate in the fashion show to be held in Moscow on June 11. Tatiana Mikhalkova was simply stunned by Gevorg’s evening dresses made out of glass. As director of the “Atex” fashion center Karina Dnoyan said, Mrs. Mikhalkova really wants to go against the standards and give more opportunities for Armenian designers to show their work. T. Mikhalkova places high emphasis on raising the reputation of contemporary national fashion and advises looking around to find talented people.
“Since this is a non-profit contest, we are very liberal in choosing the best. We can help the best. Our fashion designers are professionals and can prepare the uniforms on their own. You need to have new, fresh ideas in any field. The most well-known French and Italian fashion homes with the names of famous designers don’t offer line of clothing under one name. There is a large group of designers. The fashion homes simply don’t want to let people know their names, but we all know that most of them are Russian. Fashion is both art and business. As for art, we are very strong in that field. Business is in a downfall. We need skillful management and ideas are more fresh and interesting in Russia than Paris. For example, no matter how active China works, it will always need the art. But we just can’t hand over the Russian market to Turkey or China just because the clothes produced there are cheaper. Fashion plays a very important role in politics and economy; we just can’t give our multi-million dollar market to others. The struggle is between businesses and Russia is just beginning to become part of that struggle. There are many fashion homes that have a 150 year history and we’re just beginners. The important thing is to have fashion designers accepted in their countries so that they may have the opportunity to sell their clothes to their compatriots. For example, I always buy clothing from Russian designers.
– Is it possible for Armenia’s fashion to reach success in the international market?
– Armenian fashion designers need to be actively involved in clothes production. There was a time when the clothes and shoes produced in Armenia were sold in all Soviet countries. Currently, there are wonderful Armenian designers, for example, Nectar who has gone through training at the “Claude Bonucci” fashion home, or shoe designer Gagas, whose sharp-pointed shoes are worn by Alla Pugachova, Christina Orbakaite and Abraham Russo. I also wear Gagas’s shoes. But I repeat: designers must be accepted in their countries. In a country like Armenia, where there are so many talented designers, local production must increase. I hope that Armenian industrialists will lend a helping hand. I must say that Armenian fashion designers are in the public eye of Moscow. They differ with their minimalism, firmness and mastery.
– It’s much more difficult for women to reach success than it is for men. Have you faced any obstacles?
– All women face obstacles. I understand that there is high emphasis on family values in Armenia. This is very important because, in my opinion, motherhood is the most important thing for a woman. However, at the same time, I feel pity that Armenian women, who receive a high education and have many talents, are not involved in social life and business. The most difficult thing is to coordinate the two and of course, women need help from men.
– Should men give women the opportunity?
– Men often make women go along with their opinions. It’s very hard without their consent. A woman is successful when she can do business and take care of the family at the same time.
– How did your husband accept you working?
– I can say that at first, he wasn’t really fond of me working in this business. He simply looked at it as yet another capricious act. I don’t know why. Perhaps there’s something Armenian in him (she laughs-N.H.). Eastern mentality dictates to man that the woman must sit at home, raise the children on her own and not trust any nannies or kindergartens. I raised my three children on my own, but when children start growing up and as the woman gets more free time on her hands, she wants to do something with her life. I am simply happy with the fact that I had the chance to carry out the “Russian Silhouette” project during the past ten years. It seems like that project was like my fourth child.
– Your children probably don’t need you to take care of them now.
– My children have grown up and are living their lives. Anna has played in two films already this year and the films will soon be shown during the “Cinetavr” film festival. Artyom and Nadya are also in show business. They all have jobs and are extremely busy.