Nikolai Golovin, who served as an assistant and at one point led the Vyacheslav Zaitsev Fashion House, recalled in an interview with socialbites.ca that Vyacheslav Zaitsev named his son Yegor as the heir to the fashion legacy. Golovin dismissed claims that members of the Garafutdinov family, rumored to have closely observed the designer, could claim Zaitsev’s fortune. The interview highlighted a simple, enduring truth in family and business succession: the designer’s wishes were explicit, and inheritance would follow those intentions rather than rumor or scandal. There was a clear emphasis on preserving clarity and continuity in the brand’s creative direction rather than chasing wealth or power, according to Golovin’s account.
“This is ridiculous. Egor is the heir, and he will inherit everything in six months,” Golovin stated. “He lives for what matters—the creative legacy and the physical space that carries the name, not the concrete in the center of Moscow.” He added that discussions about real estate or material assets should not overshadow Zaitsev’s lasting impact on fashion and design. The sense of responsibility was unmistakable: safeguarding the designer’s artistic contributions and the house’s reputation mattered far more than any construction project or symbolic location. The sentiment reflected a broader concern among colleagues and admirers who value the brand’s historical significance and its role in shaping modern couture beyond any single person’s wealth or status.
On April 30, Vyacheslav Zaitsev, a pivotal figure in Soviet and Russian fashion, passed away at age 86 due to internal bleeding. In the days that followed, Golovin explained that funeral arrangements had not yet been finalized and the Zaitsev family had not started formal rites. The absence of immediate ceremonial steps did not surprise observers who understood that large estates and long‑standing fashion houses often require careful coordination among family members, advisers, and the brand’s management team. For many who knew Zaitsev, the focus remained on safeguarding his artistic legacy, ensuring the design language, archives, and collections continued to inspire future generations rather than becoming entangled in procedural delays or disputes. The statement from Golovin underscored a wish to protect the designer’s cultural footprint while honoring personal and organizational processes that accompany the passing of a public figure.
In 2021, Yegor Zaitsev described an episode involving a person named Galina Garafutdinova and relatives who reportedly moved into the designer’s residence, filmed videos, and posted them on social media. Zaitsev said the Garafutdinovs portrayed themselves as potential successors to Vyacheslav Zaitsev, aiming to secure both the wealth and the fashion house. This account prompted media attention and raised discussions about authentic stewardship of a creative legacy. Reports from Komsomolskaya Pravda indicated that the Investigative Committee opened an inquiry into the Garafutdinovs’ activities, signaling the seriousness with which authorities viewed questions of legitimacy and intent. Across the industry, the episode served as a reminder of the delicate balance between public interest and family privacy when a renowned brand passes between generations. It underscored the need for transparent governance and clear succession plans to protect the designer’s contributions and the workforce that sustains ongoing operations. The broader takeaway was a reaffirmation that a fashion house’s value rests not only on assets but on the continuity of design philosophy, mentorship of emerging talents, and the preservation of historical archives that narrate the designer’s influence on fashion history. (citation: Komsomolskaya Pravda)”