"Associations" in Tsarskoye Selo united Russian fashion designers.

      On June 27, more than 11,000 people witnessed the "Associations" – a grand theatrical parade at the museum-reserve "Tsarskoye Selo," which took place for the sixteenth time. This year, there was no rain: in Catherine Park, according to the concept of director Alexey Frandetti, the four elements – fire, water, air, and earth – reigned on the platforms of four fashion designers. In the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the theme "Beauty Unites" was creatively interpreted by Alexandra Gapanovich (Murmansk – Moscow), Nelly Kruk (Nizhny Novgorod), Sultan Saliev (Kazan), and Sergey Sysoev (Moscow).

      The own garden was filled with Eastern colors: red flags fluttered in the wind like tongues of flame. Sultan Saliev presented a thoughtful and expressive collection "Sorting Through Chulps," where historical elements of Tatar costume received a new interpretation. The designer showed that they have the right to adorn the wardrobe of our contemporaries. Thus, the residents of St. Petersburg learned that chulps are traditional Tatar hair ornaments, these jingling pendants were attached to braids. The show began with the ringing of chulps, and then the models walked to the magical music of the Kazan group Alpar. The performers used national instruments, including one of the oldest – the kurai. The shimmering brocade, golden-brown palette, and strict geometry of the details captivated the audience.

      Alexandra Gapanovich participated in the "Associations" for the third time and once again demonstrated that the Russian North can inspire the creation of incredibly exquisite things. The collection "Unity" reflects the designer's vision of beauty and is largely connected to the place where Alexandra was born – the Kola Peninsula. It is a reflection on simple things, many of which are from childhood. Remember the sparkling snow, frosty air, and the feeling of happiness and carefreeness? The white balls reminded of snowballs in the meadow behind the "Grotto" pavilion. The fluffy snow was represented by feathers, voluminous shapes, quilted silhouettes, and a light color palette of the collection. The final walk was led by Gapanovich, who usually prefers to stay behind the scenes of the shows.

      In the smooth surface of the Mirror Pond, the snow-white images from Nelly Kruk's collection "Lace and Steel. Heritage" were reflected, while the mirrored panels at the "Upper Bath" pavilion showcased the magnificence of the surrounding landscape. The designer combined jewelry production and author fashion, inspired by the traditional artistic craft – Cossack filigree. This collection is an ode to Russian beauty and craftsmanship, featuring a lot of handmade work, and the jewelry and accessories were created specifically according to the designer's sketches. And this is a bright artistic statement. Among the interesting details are knitted "bob wigs" made of cotton threads with shimmering elements.

      Moscow designer Sergey Sysoev decided to confess his love for St. Petersburg. And he did so under the noble accompaniment of a cello. Airy currents were symbolized by the swaying organza from the arch decorations on the stairs of the Cameron Gallery. For the traveling heroine, the designer offered closed silhouettes, sensual decor, black-and-white and pastel color palettes. These images were delicately complemented by a palette of field flowers in the embroideries – yarrow, chamomile, thistle, Ivan-tea, and wild rose. The prints of the collection featured images of Russian estate architecture – plaster rosettes, vases, as if made in engraving technique.

      This year, the audience of the "Associations" could visit the art station "Ornamental Code" in the "Evening Hall" pavilion by St. Petersburg designer Elena Badmaeva and her team from the design school of Gatchina State University. At the master classes, guests learned the technique of artistic printing on fabric and created their own prints. For all interested, students prepared stamps of folk ornaments. Participants in the master classes contributed to the creation of a towel-kaleidoscope of the peoples of Russia.

      On the stairs of the Cameron Gallery, all four collections and elements came together in the final show. Beauty unites.