Vyacheslav Zaitsev, the renowned fashion designer, carried himself with a striking presence and a distinct aura even as illness touched him, a sentiment echoed by Nadezhda Babkina, honored as a People’s Artist of Russia, during the farewell ceremony for the designer. Her reflections framed his life as a blend of talent, resilience, and a clear sense of personal style that never faded with time or circumstance.
Babkina described him as a divine figure, someone God chose to call back, yet who remained deeply connected to the world he lived in. She recalled that Zaitsev attended events, led conversations, and offered his presence even when illness clouded his memory of faces. Throughout it all, he retained a neat, composed appearance and a vivid personality that set him apart from others of his era. He was seen as someone who loved his country, cherished its people, and valued its history and traditions. In her view, Zaitsev’s legacy carried a universal meaning, a kind of glory that transcended fashion and touched broader cultural values. The phrase Glory for me resonated not as a personal accolade but as a reflection of his impact on the world, and she noted that the designer’s life earned such a title through the way he lived and inspired others.
A witness to Zaitsev’s influence, Babkina added that she owned several pieces from his various collections, noting that the designer had also crafted outfits for her stage performances. This collaboration underscored the mutual respect between artist and designer, highlighting how Zaitsev’s creations extended beyond his own labels and enriched the performances of other artists who sought his vision for their onstage presence.
Friends, family, and devoted followers gathered at the Life-Giving Trinity Cathedral in Shchelkovo, near Moscow, on May 4 to say their heartfelt farewells. The ceremony drew attendees including Babkina, stylist Sergei Zverev, and the designer’s longtime assistant Vadim Khusainov, along with his son Yegor, all of whom offered memories and expressions of admiration for Zaitsev’s contributions to fashion and culture. The setting provided a solemn backdrop for reflections on a career defined by bold silhouettes, meticulous craftsmanship, and a fearless willingness to blend tradition with modernity.
In interviews with the press earlier in the day, Babkina shared her thoughts on Zaitsev’s final resting place, suggesting that burial near Moscow would be fitting given the designer’s enduring ties to the city and its artistic scene. She also touched on the broader fashion community, noting that Zaitsev’s departure came just after news of another prominent figure, fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin, who passed away two days later. The juxtaposition of their departures underscored the close-knit nature of the Russian fashion world and the lasting impression both designers left on colleagues, students, and fans. The conversations surrounding their lives continued to emphasize how Zaitsev’s work had become an integral thread in the fabric of contemporary Russian style, linking generations of designers, performers, and admirers who looked to his bold, elegant, and often theatrical approach to dress as a source of national pride and creative inspiration. At the same time, supporters recalled the personal warmth Zaitsev extended to friends and collaborators, painting a portrait of a man who used fashion not only to dress bodies but to tell stories about culture, identity, and shared human experience. The farewell thus served not merely as a closing chapter for a designer, but as a public acknowledgment of his lasting influence on fashion, performance, and the broader cultural landscape.