Moscow Fashion Week ran at Manege in Moscow from October 4 through October 9. It retained its international reach, with designers arriving from China, India, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, South Africa and Brazil to present their latest collections.
A fashion forum named BRICS+ Fashion Summit was organized to run alongside the Week, featuring a business program and plenary sessions attended by experts from Russia and other countries. The conversations addressed important topics such as cultural appropriation, a concern particularly for Global South nations. Participants weighed how designers and stylists draw inspiration from national costumes across diverse countries, while avoiding careless copying of beloved details.
Over 200 participants took part in Moscow Fashion Week. Designers from Moscow and other cities such as St. Petersburg, Makhachkala, Cheboksary, Ufa, Omsk, Murmansk, Kazan, Nalchik and beyond presented their lines. The lineup included well-known names like Igor Gulyaev, a favorite among pop artists who invited singer Lolita as a model; Yulia Dalakyan, a veteran of Russian fashion events; and Alexander Rogov, a stylist and designer favored by critics. For emerging Russian brands, especially ap design, which debuted at Omsk Week, the Moscow Manege platform offered a path to greater recognition. A high point of the week was a memorial display honoring Yegor Zaitsev, with guests treated to futuristic, avant-garde pieces crafted by the designer in 2010.
Conservative fashion found full expression, with outfits designed to respect religious requirements. Brands Measure from Makhachkala, Hatsibana and SaiJamin from Nalchik, Sponta from Uchkeken, and Zuhat from Moscow demonstrated that modest styling can be engaging. It proved possible to blend sporty and elegant elements while reflecting national costume aesthetics within modern trends and luxury capsule pieces.
The week yielded a clear takeaway: Russian designers have secured a place in the global fashion conversation. The collections appeared thoughtful and cohesive, each carrying a defined idea or concept. From these shows, ten current trends emerged.
winding fixing
Relaxed silhouettes and a relaxed vibe dominated, inviting wearers to breathe and move freely. Loose fits, soft shoulder lines, and easy layering encouraged versatility. The message was simple: there is no need to button up every detail. Brands like Vestiaire, Lena Karnauhova, LESIA LISUN, Depended_to, Soroka On Course, and ap design push for fluidity, comfort, and expressive styling.
Oversized
The appeal of voluminous bombers and coats, oversized jackets, broad shoulders, and roomy sweatshirts has stayed strong on the catwalk for years. The aesthetic is not about sacrifice of polish; light pastel and pearl gray tones soften the look, making a plus size silhouette feel delicate when paired with short shorts or lace tights. For those seeking a tougher edge, a roomy men’s jacket with broad shoulders adds confidence. Several brands including Lena Karnauhova, Oksana Kosareva, Yana Besfamilnaya, Rogov, Alena Musaeva, BITTE_RUHE, Depended_to, and ap design offer options.
folds
The move toward femininity shows in skirts, dresses, and even tops that glide over the body and gather in gentle folds or in sharper drapes. The effect is aesthetically pleasing, especially when the fabric is light, pastel, and silky as it moves. Designers such as Anna Kropotova, Oksana Kosareva, and MERÉ contributed to this mood.
corsets
A corset remains a bold statement of femininity and strength. It can be worn as a top or as a bright accessory; luxurious leather looks appear in collections by Li Lab and Alsu M. No. It can be modestly erotic or playful, as seen in outfits by by/das or Koss Koss.
Transparency
Chiffon, organza, and lace continue to command the runway across the seasons. Russian designers echoed this global trend with lace skirts and suits, sheer dresses, and transparent blouses that mark the season. Notable names include Alsu M., Efremov, Li Lab, Oksana Kosareva, Rogov, ohh.mirra, Büro Unique, Gapanovich No. 6, Shatu1997.
Cloak
The cloak remains a striking global fashion cue that lifts any look. An elegant cape lends a new air to the silhouette, a favorite among public figures. The style adds a straighter back, a prouder posture, and freer necklines. Designers such as Efremov, Vestiaire, Leffers, and Depended_to showcased options you can throw over the shoulders to elevate an outfit.
Torn and half dissolved
The postapocalyptic mood has entered modern fashion, reflected in some designers’ darker visions of life and clothing. Yet the loose, carefree vibe also emerges when humor and rebellion are at play. For inspiration, look to by/das, Ianis Chamalidy, and Yana Besfamilnaya.
Ruffles and frills
Ruffles dominated the catwalk alongside sheer fabrics, keeping the mood from turning too somber. Models from Loom by Rodina, Paseshnic, Gapanovich, and Flashin moved with a light, swaying gait in tops, skirts, blouses, and dresses that captured motion and whimsy.
wine red color
Wine tones continued to charm the audience, spanning rich port and Marsala to brighter Pinot Noir. Red remains a color that signals power and attraction. Designers such as Alena Cojocaru, Avaiia, Alena Musaeva, and Anro offered refined looks in these hues.
ethnicity
Fashion Week in Russia remains a platform for exploring cultural roots, and the conservative direction from the North Caucasus drew particular attention. The North’s aesthetics and cultural symbolism, drawn from Pushkin’s The Tale of Tsar Saltan and the Swan Princess, were interpreted by designers including Gapanovich. Outfits by Atelier Irina Vorobyeva and ensembles featuring kokoshnik crowns, fiori dress codes, and ethnofresh styling appeared in collections from White Crow by Alena Nega.