Aleksey Zalevskiy
fluoro spoke to Ukrainian fashion designer Aleksey Zalevskiy about the rise of the Ukrainian fashion industry and his diversity in design.
Zalevskiy began creating seasonal collections under his brand ‘Zalevskiy’ in 1997, he has since developed a unique aesthetic that has a strong sense of drama throughout each of his collections and runway shows. This dramatic approach stems from his background in theatrical and artistic school, and a value of performance that is evidently carried across to his fashion practice.
Zalevskiy’s work also has a social aspect through founding the project ‘Fashion Aid’. Taking place in Ukrainian Fashion Week the initiative aims to raise awareness about aids. His collections for this project have used a subtle approach to raising awareness, with approaches that include using models that are HIV positive and a collection of solely red clothing.
(f) What do you believe is a distinct characteristic of the Ukrainian fashion industry?
(AZ) Independent Ukraine is quite a young country. After the collapse of the USSR, our people became fans of imported things. Thanks to Ukrainian Fashion Week people started to believe that we also have our own brands and designers. There are many talented and creative designers in Ukraine but there is no industry. Nobody wants to invest in the development of the fashion industry in our country. Therefore, designers live by customers rather than through a network of shops and production volumes.
(f) Why do you choose to work with non-traditional materials when creating your garments and runway shows?
(AZ) My brand has always been different for at least two reasons: the non-traditional approach with respect to all materials and presentation of the collection. We have created dresses made of hair, flowers, cellophane, paper and even diapers. The dress made of LED, which closed my SS14 collection At Ukrainian Fashion Week, Kiev wasn’t an exception. I wanted to make a girl (from Zalevskiy) who appeared at the party and stole the light and joyfulness.
(f) What role does performance play in your seasonal shows?
(AZ) During our shows we always strive to put our customers in a different world. Fashion is not only clothing it is a worldview with a focus on emotion.
(f) In relation to your work with Fashion Aid, what do you believe the language of fashion contributes to responding to social issues?
(AZ) In 1997 I created my first mini collection dedicated to the ways of spreading HIV. That was a hair show. I still don’t understand why people do not protect themselves and others with basic hygiene if they know about this problem.
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To view more of Zalevskiy’s work visit www.zalevskiy.com
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