Nikolay Zatylkin, a prominent figure in the Miss Russia national beauty pageant landscape, has died at the age of 48. REGNUM, citing a source close to the investigation, reports that the director’s body was discovered in the northwest part of Moscow. Zatylkin’s wife, Olga, reportedly alerted authorities on March 16 to the alarming news.
According to the source, law enforcement located the director’s body in an apartment along Sokolovo-Meshcherskaya Street. The initial assessment lists acute cardiovascular failure as the preliminary cause of death, though investigators will conduct a full autopsy to confirm the details. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of condolences across the fashion and entertainment communities, where Zatylkin had long been a recognized presence.
Olga Zatylkina publicly confirmed the news via social channels, posting a respectful tribute and asking fans to respect the family’s privacy. The family has indicated that a farewell and funeral ceremony would take place on March 20 at the Mitinsky crematorium, inviting those who knew Zatylkin through his professional work and personal advocacy for the fashion industry to pay their respects.
Beyond his role as the Miss Russia director, Zatylkin founded the Zatylkin Fashion Team, a collective known for staging fashion shows and collaborating with major international brands. The group has worked with industry giants such as Nike, Escada, and Mango, reflecting Zatylkin’s commitment to elevating Russian fashion on a global stage. In addition to organizing shows, he directed and produced segments for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia, contributing to the event’s reputation as a premier platform for designers and buyers. His expertise extended to television, where he served as a judge and mentor on the reality series You are the best model on TNT, shaping the careers of aspiring models and influencing the country’s modeling scene.
The fashion world mourns a versatile leader who bridged design, media, and talent development. Zatylkin’s work helped forge partnerships between Russian fashion events and international brands, expanding opportunities for designers, models, and industry professionals. His approach combined a keen eye for aesthetics with a pragmatic sense of event production, logistics, and brand storytelling, elements that kept fashion conversations vibrant and commercially relevant in a rapidly changing market. Colleagues describe him as a steady force who could bring together creative teams, sponsors, and media outlets to create memorable experiences that resonated with audiences in Russia and beyond.
In the broader context of the fashion industry’s evolution within Russia, Zatylkin’s career reflected a period of growing collaboration with global brands and increasing attention from international fashion houses seeking to engage Russian markets. His leadership at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia helped maintain a platform that showcased local talent while attracting global press and buyers, contributing to the country’s continued relevance on the world stage. The passing of Zatylkin is seen by many as a loss of a driving force who consistently championed young designers and models, encouraging professional standards and creative ambition.
As the community processes the news, fashion houses, models, and media figures who collaborated with Zatylkin are expected to share remembrances and celebrate the imprint he left on the industry. The family and colleagues may also reflect on the ways his initiatives—ranging from talent development programs to high-profile brand partnerships—helped shape the trajectory of contemporary Russian fashion. The impact of his work is likely to be felt for years through the opportunities he created and the standards he set for excellence and collaboration in fashion events across Russia and its neighboring markets.