I actually found it on JC Report, and I quite like this! Sorry, the pictures are kind of small.
From JC Report:
Elena Makashova gave new meaning to the Soviet-era world when she
established her trademarked line in 1999. Founded under the name of Shirpotreb, which literally means, "goods of mass consumption," her intention was to, "protest against eternal haute couture clichés."
"In the early '90s, after the fall of the Iron Curtain and when
unheard-of luxury flooded the country with glitter and fake gems, I
felt I needed to stay close to original Russian design," explains
Makashova. Today, she is one of Russia's most novel designers, an
original talent who combines high fashion standards and creative ideas
with moderate prices. As a result, her exclusive collections remain
widely affordable.
When all the glamour of Western fashion burst into western Russia,
Elena Makashova immediately lost most of her rich clients, who turned
to glitzier labels. The "new Russians," who made fortunes overnight
suddenly hated the idea of wearing, "fashion goods of original Russian
design," recalls Makashova: "it was as if, for them, quality came from
the West." Yet other clients - stars and influential intellectuals -
have stayed loyal over the years. "They have a different mentality,
they understand the work of designers such as Rei Kawakubo or Yamamoto and don't need gold and fur on every outfit," explains a local fashion critic. "Elena's clothes speak to the intellect."
This season, the self-taught, post-Soviet designer showed a military
chic collection presented on models, most of which wore United Nations
blue helmets. "Staging 19th-century petticoats, tank tops, UN helmets,
and chunky military boots, Elena's approach to fabrics has something
Japanese about it ? scrunching linens and chunky cottons with
treatments, and using them in asymmetrical observation-balloon coats,
cut-off-at-the-knee jumpsuits, multi-pocket frock coats, lovely layered
frocks, and great waxed canvas trench coats," comments Godfrey Deeny,
editor of Fashion Wear Daily. Going for military chic can be
famously cliché ? even offensive ? especially in a country where the
Red Army is still in every mind, but Makashova's cutting skills and
senses of style and humor turned the collection into one of the most
inspired shows of Russian Fashion Week.
Looking towards Paris to present future collections, Elena Makashova is a name with a promising future. Need a touch of Ann Demeulemeester
crossed with Yamamoto's fluid sense of proportions and soul-searching
Russian romanticism in your wardrobe? Look for the cool wind blowing
from Russia's Elena Makashova.
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