Alexander Vasiliev is a popular person. He studies the history of Russian and European fashion, collects various items, which he collects literally little by little at flea markets around the world.
Our today's hero is engaged in teaching, writes books and articles in which he talks about fashion trends in the modern world. Lectures are given by Alexander Alexandrovich all over the world.
For 8 years, the popular art critic worked in “Fashionable Sentence”, in which he shared his knowledge on this issue with television viewers.
Height, weight, age. How old is Alexander Vasiliev
The fate and biography of our today's hero attracts many people who are interested in the world of fashion. They want to know everything about him, including his height, weight, age. How old is Alexander Vasiliev is also interesting. He is 177 cm tall. The art critic leads a healthy lifestyle, monitors his diet, which has a beneficial effect on his weight. It is equal to 78 kg.
Next year, Alexander Alexandrovich Vasiliev will celebrate his 60th birthday. He recently said that it will be something big with a lot of invited guests. An expert in the fashion world wants to prepare a TV show about himself and his destiny on the eve of this event. He says that many people do not know him personally, and this gives rise to many rumors and gossip.
More recently, Alexander Vasiliev: a photo in his youth and now posted it on his Instagram page. Fans of his talent noted that he has not changed at all during this time. It just became somewhat brutal and extravagant in recent years.
Biography of Alexander Vasiliev (Fashionable verdict)
Alexander Vasiliev was born in December 1958 in Moscow shortly before the New Year. His father, Alexander Pavlovich, worked in one of the Moscow theaters, where he held the position of artist. Mother, Tatyana Ilyinichna, was a dramatic actress. All this led to the boy becoming interested in art and the world of fashion, and in the future he decided to connect his life with this activity.
At two years old, the boy was his father’s assistant, working on costume sketches. At the age of 5, he created a collection of clothes, which was presented at one of the fashion shows held in the capital of the Soviet Union. At this time they started talking about him as an aspiring fashion designer. From the same age, Alexander Alexandrovich took part in the filming of television programs well known to Soviet television viewers.
He begins decorating children's theater performances from the age of twelve. Although Alexander Vasiliev was incredibly busy designing costumes, this in no way negatively affected his studies. He perfectly comprehended various sciences. He especially liked literature, history and mathematics.
After graduating from school, he decides to connect his professional activities with fashion and art. On his first attempt, Alexander Vasiliev entered the Moscow Art Theater School, where he studies in the production department. During his student years, the fashion expert showed excellent knowledge, receiving a diploma with honors. The young man was gladly invited to work at the Theater as a costume designer.
The biography of Alexander Vasiliev (Fashionable Verdict) at this time takes on a romantic shape. The young fashion designer was struck to the heart by love. But soon the young lovers separated. Beloved Alexandra Vasiliev and her mother are moving to France for permanent residence. Our hero is suffering, he is eager to go to Paris, but in those days it was very difficult to travel outside the Soviet Union. Soon, Vasiliev had an opportunity: he met a girl who came to the country to learn the intricacies of the Russian language. The decorator married this girl. There was no love between them. The relationship was fictitious. Alexander rejoiced like a child, he strove for his beloved. At that moment, the fashion designer did not imagine that he was leaving his homeland for a long time.
In France, it turned out that his beloved girl did not wait for him. She linked her fate with another man.
Alexander lived in Paris for several years, after which he received a notice ordering the fashion designer to return to the Soviet Union. At this time, the political situation in his native country was delicate: Soviet troops were sent to Afghanistan. Foreign countries opposed this. The country found itself on the brink of isolation. All citizens living outside the USSR had to return back. Alexander decided not to return to the Soviet Union; he is applying for permission to stay in Paris. The French authorities grant him citizenship within a short period of time.
Vasiliev works on the design of theatrical performances and festivals. He develops himself in the art of decorating. In addition, the young man studies at the Louvre school, after training he received a diploma as a professional in palace interior design.
At the same time, he worked with Ronde Pointe, the Royal Opera, the Studio of the Opera de Bastia and others. In addition, he teaches at the Russian Theater School and various fashion schools.
Just a few years later, Vasiliev begins working with British, Icelandic, and Turkish theater troupes. Although Alexander Alexandrovich was very busy, this did not prevent him from perfectly learning French, Spanish and Italian in addition to the English language he already knew. Having learned these languages, the fashion connoisseur translated and gave his lectures around the world.
After the collapse of a great country (the Soviet Union), Vasiliev decides to return to his homeland. A few years later, he begins to host a program dedicated to fashion. It was called "Breath of the Century". She is actively involved in teaching and teaching fashion history to students of various universities and fashion schools. Since 2009, he has been hosting the television show program “Fashionable Sentence”, which was hosted by Vyacheslav Zaitsev before him. The renowned fashion historian studies and writes books, the number of which is currently approaching fifty. Vasiliev is also a collector. He collects neckerchiefs and scarves, the number of which is approaching 250.
The fashion connoisseur takes part in preparing sets for various films and theatrical performances. For example, he worked in a film by Roberto Enrico.
Recently, the well-known decorator and art critic left the “Fashionable Sentence” program. He is currently opening a museum exhibition, which will be in Paris, London and Rome in addition to the capital of the Russian Federation. Museums in these European capitals will be constantly expanding, telling the story of fashion.
Personal life of Alexander Vasiliev
Many fans of the famous fashion historian know almost nothing about his personal life. It is known that in his youth Vasiliev fell in love with a girl who soon left for France. Having arranged a fictitious marriage, the future star of fashion history managed to leave after her. Since that time, the personal life of Alexander Vasiliev has been hidden under a veil of secrecy. According to some reports, he lived with his fictitious wife for 5 years. The relationship with his former lover did not work out, although he tried several times.
In the late 80s, the historian of Russian and world fashion had a short-term affair with Icelandic Stefania. But after just 2 months they had to separate, since Alexander did not want to stay in Iceland, and his beloved did not want to move to Paris.
In recent years, some have said about Vasiliev that he has a non-traditional orientation, and therefore cannot get along with more than one representative of the fair sex. The fashion star does not pay attention to all the gossip and slander, preferring to keep his opinion to himself.
Family of Alexander Vasiliev
Alexander Vasiliev's family was intelligent. The parents devoted all their attention to their only son. Our hero's father and mother had a great influence on his professional choice. For many years, my father worked as a theater artist and fashion designer for one of the Moscow theaters. Every year Vasiliev’s dad held a presentation of the clothes he designed. Many recognized fashion designers in the country took his opinion into account. Vasiliev Sr. was awarded a large number of different awards. Alexander Vasiliev Jr. is proud that his father was awarded the title - People's Artist of Russia. The State Museum named after Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin houses some of the works of the famous theater artist.
The mother of the popular decorator was an actress. Performances in which a woman played were popular. In the 80s, she began teaching at theater institutes in the capital. Her former students still remember her stage speech classes as a school of excellence.
Currently, Vasiliev jokingly calls his dog Palma, who lives in his apartment, his family.
Children of Alexander Vasiliev
Alexander Alexandrovich does not like to answer questions about children. It is known that the popular fashion connoisseur does not have any children of his own. But he
baptized three children from his friends. The godchildren of Alexander Vasiliev currently live in three European countries.
He communicates only with Marfa Milovidnaya, who lives in the Russian Federation. they call each other very often. Alexander Alexandrovich often visits her, and also gives her small surprise gifts after visiting other countries.
In his interviews, the decorator and art critic states that many women offer him to have a child. But our hero believes that he does not need a fictitious child.
Ex-wife of Alexander Vasiliev - Anna
Alexander first saw his future wife in the mid-70s. She came to the Soviet Union to improve her knowledge of the Russian language. The girl entered the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov. She was the daughter of Russian emigrants.
Alexander Vasiliev at this time was looking for ways to leave the country. He invited Anna to enter into a fictitious marriage. After some thought, the girl agreed. The young people got married and left for Paris. But the marriage remained fictitious, although it lasted about 5 years.
The ex-wife of Alexander Vasilyev, Anna, does not maintain any relationship with her ex-husband after her divorce. They don't meet or communicate. Currently, according to the decorator himself, he has absolutely no idea what his ex-wife is doing now.
Instagram and Wikipedia Alexander Vasiliev
Vasiliev follows modern traditions; he has pages on the World Wide Web. But he works most actively on his Instagram page. And Wikipedia Alexander Vasiliev contains a large amount of information about his life path and parents. The Instagram page contains a large number of photographs of the popular art critic, from everyday life to photos as the host of “Fashionable Sentence”.
Here Alexander Alexandrovich announces his future performances related to fashion and its history. For example, soon Vasiliev will once again speak to an audience in the city of Rome.
The number of page subscribers is constantly growing. Now it is close to 5 million active users of social networks interested in fashion trends and new products.
Fashion historian Alexandra Vasilyeva many people know, largely thanks to his public activities and the famous program “Fashionable Verdict”. He has followed a creative path since childhood.
Biography
Alexander Vasiliev was born in Moscow in 1959, December 8th. His family was closely connected with creativity - his mother worked in the theater, his father painted and created sets and costumes for productions. Since childhood, the boy read a lot - fortunately, the huge home library allowed it, and he went to performances and exhibitions.
As a teenager, he became interested in costumes and scenery, and began sewing and staging his own performances. After graduating from school, he entered the Moscow Art Theater, and after completing his studies, he worked for some time as a costume designer in one of the Moscow theaters. In 1982, he left his homeland and went to France to study, work and conquer his heights.
Carier start in the capital of fashion it was not the most successful - and who was waiting here for an unknown young man? Financially, things were sometimes tight, and Vasiliev even performed with street musicians, earning his living. However, over time, life got better - Alexander began to receive orders for the production of scenery and was able to begin his studies at the Louvre School, choosing a specialty in interior design. He devoted a lot of time to self-education, studying the history of fashion, and by 1994 he already had his own course of lectures on this topic.
With the onset of the 2000s, Alexander Vasiliev, already a recognized fashion historian, returned to Russia, where he began his active work. He teaches, hosts a TV show (“Blow of the Wind” on the Culture channel), organizes student tours to introduce young people to the pearls of European culture, opens his own design studio, and heads the Fashion Academy established at Ostankino. in 2008, the program “ Fashionable verdict", whose constant presenter (together with Evelina Khromchenko) is Vasiliev.
In March 2017, it became known that Alexander Vasiliev was leaving Fashionable Sentence. True, the presenter himself claims that this will not last long, no more than a dozen issues. He just needed a break to do his other things, and just take a break from the 8-year marathon.
Achievements
Alexander Vasiliev is rightfully proud that he was able to change some ideas about fashion in modern society. Thus, in his opinion, he was able to convince young people that bleached hair on girls is not stylish, and that jeans with rhinestones and an exposed belly are bad manners. As a theater artist, Vasiliev is interested in national costumes and has collected a unique collection of outfits from Russian culture; It features exhibits dating back to the 17th century, including models created by Chanel, Valentino, Gaultier and others.
Alexander Vasiliev is engaged and writing activity. His works are, of course, connected with the history of fashion; the most famous are “Beauty in Exile” and “Russian Fashion: 150 Years in Photographs.” For achievements in the promotion of Russian art, Vasiliev was awarded the S.P. Diaghilev medal, the gold medal of the Academy of Arts, the Order of Maecenas, and other awards.
Personal life
Personal life of Alexander Vasiliev is not in the public domain. He, like many stars, defends his right to secrets and does not seek to reveal them.
For some time there were rumors that Vasiliev was gay. Of course, the outrageous artist could not help but draw attention to his person, including in this matter. Once the hero admitted that he can experience passion for several women at once (note, not men!) and justifies polygamy. It is known that the fashion historian was married twice, the first time to a French woman (they claim that the marriage was fictitious and was needed only to get to France), the second time to an Icelandic woman, and also unsuccessfully.
Today, the fashion historian is not married, although the recent program “Secret for a Million” with Lera Kudryavtseva revealed certain secrets of Alexander Vasiliev’s personal life. So, it turned out that he has three goddaughters, one of whom even came to the filming of the program (now we know for sure that Marfa Milovidova- goddaughter of Alexander Vasiliev). Vasiliev became her godfather at the request of his good friend.
As for your own children of Alexander Vasiliev, then he never started them, although Lera Kudryavtseva’s last question, to that same “million”, never received an answer. It concerned an illegitimate child that Vasiliev allegedly has. Summing up, the fashionable judge said that everything will one day become known from his memoirs. So the question of whether Alexander Vasiliev has children remains open.
Undoubtedly, fans are showing considerable interest in the person of the “fashion historian,” so it is possible that 58-year-old Vasiliev will still find his soul mate and still become a father. Moreover, he does not lose hope for this.
The biography and personal life of fashion historian Alexander Vasiliev certainly worries all his fans. Vasiliev’s creative life deserves no less attention - perhaps no one knows as much about women’s costume as this man. His wealth of knowledge is in demand both in educational institutions, where he lectures, and on TV, where he hosts a popular program and advises the creators of many fashion programs.
Fashion historian Alexander Vasiliev is familiar today even to those who are far from fashion. He speaks delicately and correctly about the shortcomings of the wardrobes of famous people, gracefully and intelligibly talks about the fashion of past centuries, skillfully and enthusiastically conducts classes at the Fashion Academy.
Fashion, as you know, is a versatile, capricious and changeable lady. The history of fashion is the history of world art and everyday life; through the history of fashion one can trace how ideas about female beauty and ideals have changed. Obviously, this is why fashion, this fickle lady, likes the attention of men so much.
Parents and personal life of fashion historian Alexander Vasiliev
One of those who devoted himself to the art of fashion is Alexander Vasiliev, one of the most famous people in Russia today. Alexander came to his passion in his youth, because there was an atmosphere of creativity around him since childhood.
The parents of fashion historian Alexander Vasilyev are people of art. My father created theatrical scenery and costumes and had the title of People's Artist of the USSR, and my mother was a dramatic actress. Already as a child, Alexander tried to sew costumes for dolls and built sets for his own puppet theater.
“To give birth to a baby, you need two loving halves. I left Russia for France for the girl I loved. To be close to her, I even had to marry a French woman - for the sake of a visa. But my beloved never became my wife. I really wanted children, but God didn’t give it to me,” says Alexander Vasiliev. He ended up living in Paris for 20 years.
Career of Alexander Vasiliev and video from the archives of a fashion historian
Alexander Vasiliev’s passion for theater led him to the Moscow Art Theater School, where he graduated from the production department in 1980.
His career began at the theater on Malaya Bronnaya, where he worked for two years. Then Alexander leaves for Paris, where he collaborates with the most famous French theaters, including the Bastille Opera Studio and the Royal Opera of Versailles.
The reputation of an excellent decorator and connoisseur of fashion trends has become a good recommendation for Alexander in the art world.
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the creative biography of fashion historian Alexander Vasiliev continues in Russia.
Since 2002, he began working on the “Culture” TV channel, where he hosts the program “Blow of the Century,” of which he is the author.
And since 2003, Alexander began his new project; his design studio is opening this year, whose designers combine the rich traditions of Russian spirituality with Parisian sophistication.
Now Alexander leads an active life: he gives lectures in various halls, works at Moscow State University, and takes students of his own school on trips to the cultural capitals of Europe - Rome and London, Paris and Vienna, Madrid and Vilnius.
In 2009, Alexander Vasiliev became the head of the Fashion Academy, which was organized at the Ostankino Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting. Alexander Vasiliev is the host of the “Fashionable Sentence” program on Channel One.
Watch the video of fashion historian Alexander Vasiliev from his personal archive:
Alexander Vasiliev, a fashion historian, an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts, whom the Russian public recognized thanks to the popular TV show “Fashionable Verdict,” is known far beyond the country’s borders. This outstanding art critic, collector and theater decorator works all over the world: he collaborates with various theaters, exhibits exhibitions of his collections of historical costume, and also lectures on the history of fashion in several languages.
Alexander Vasiliev was born in Moscow into an exceptionally intelligent family. His father, Alexander Pavlovich Vasiliev, was a famous theater artist and fashion designer, winner of the Grand Prix at the 1959 Brussels World Exhibition.
For his creative heritage, Alexander Vasilyev Sr. was awarded the title of People's Artist of Russia; in different years he headed the Soviet Center of the International Association of Stage Designers and Theater Technologists, the department of theater and film artists at the Moscow Union of Artists, and was the secretary of the board of the Union of Artists in the USSR. His works are in the State Museum. Pushkin, as well as in museums of such famous theaters as the Theater named after. Chekhov and the Bolshoi Theater.
Alexander Alexandrovich’s mother, Tatyana Ilyinichna Vasilyeva-Gurevich, played in the theater and also taught stage speech and acting at universities such as the Moscow Art Theater School and the Bolshoi Theater Choreographic School. Thus, the boy was surrounded by an atmosphere of art from childhood. It was his early immersion in the world of beauty that gave him the first impetus for development, the fashion historian claims in his numerous interviews.
Since childhood, Sasha was extremely passionate about the history of fashion and often helped his father in sewing theater scenery. The future maestro created his first theatrical costumes and sets when he was only five years old. At the same time, Sasha took part in the filming of Soviet children's television programs "Alarm Clock" and "Bell Theatre". Already at the age of twelve, Alexander Vasiliev acted as a set designer for the complete design of the theatrical performance for children “The Wizard of the Emerald City”.
Naturally, with such an early start in creative activity, noticeable talent and the full support of loved ones, there was no question of choosing a future profession. After graduating from school, the young man entered the Moscow Art Theater School-Studio in the production department, which he graduated in 1980, and began working at the famous Theater on Malaya Bronnaya as a costume designer.
At the same time, his first love comes into the life of young Alexander Vasiliev. However, circumstances turned out to be such that the mother of the girl Masha, for whom the artist had romantic feelings, married a French citizen and moved to Paris with her daughter. This was a big blow for the young man, but the decorator did not reconcile himself and began to look for opportunities to get to France, which was almost impossible in the USSR. Vasiliev had to enter into a fictitious marriage in order to leave the country. Then the future maestro did not suspect that his absence would drag on for many years.
Life in France
When the exit visa was about to expire, Vasiliev learned that, firstly, upon returning to his homeland, he would be sent to serve in Afghanistan, and, secondly, a ban on leaving the USSR would come into force for fifteen years. Both of these facts led to the fact that the young art critic became a “defector”, having issued himself a residence permit in France.
In Paris, thanks to his talent and hard work, Alexander Vasiliev quickly found a job in his specialty. He began to receive orders for the design of various performances in French theaters, as well as street festivals. At the same time, the artist constantly improved his skills: in addition to self-study, he graduated from the Louvre School with a degree in palace interior design.
Over time, the decorator's track record expanded to include such famous clients as the Ronde Pointe Theater, the Royal Opera of Versailles, the Studio de Bastille Opera, Lucerner, the Avignon Festival and many others.
At the same time, Alexander Vasiliev began his teaching career: he taught fashion history to students of the Russian Theater School and the famous Parisian fashion school Esmod, which is the first educational institution of this type in the world (founded in 1841).
Subsequently, the geography of Vasiliev’s works expanded noticeably, since the Russian decorator was considered exotic in Europe. Alexander began to receive offers of cooperation from Great Britain: the National London Theater and the Scottish Ballet in Glasgow became interested in the talented decorator; orders came from all over the world - Iceland, Turkey and Japan.
Thanks to long-term contracts in France, Spain and Italy, the artist had the opportunity to master the languages of these countries, which subsequently gave him the opportunity to lecture in Spanish, Italian and French. The fashion historian began his visiting lecture practice in 1994, having received French citizenship by that time.
"Fashionable verdict"
Returning to Russia after the collapse of the USSR, Alexander Vasiliev continued his educational activities in the field of design, fashion and aesthetics. In 2000, under his patronage, the first Samara fashion festival “Volga Region Seasons of Alexander Vasiliev” took place. Two years later, the fashion historian began hosting his own program “Blow of the Century” on the “Culture” TV channel.
TV presenter Alexander Vasiliev In addition to private lectures, Alexander Vasiliev teaches fashion history at Moscow State University, is the founder of his own design studio, as well as a traveling fashion school that organizes educational trips to the cultural capitals of the world. At various times, the decorator gave a course of lectures at the Moscow Institute of Television and Radio Broadcasting "Ostankino", at the style school "MODA.RU". Also, thanks to his patronage, the first Museum of the History of Fashion of the Twentieth Century was opened in Chelyabinsk in Russian history.
Since 2009, Vasiliev has replaced him as the host of fashion court meetings in the popular TV show “Fashionable Sentence”, in which the maestro works together with, and since 2012 he has been hosting a series of original programs “Portraits of Great Fashionistas” on radio “Mayak”.
Jewelry collection of Alexander Vasiliev In 2011, Vasiliev established his own version of the “Michelin star”: for the high aesthetics of interior design, the maestro awards the laureates a ceramic lily. Each award is handmade and has its own personal number to determine authenticity. "Lilies of Alexander Vasiliev" are awarded primarily for the design of public interiors open to the public - various cafes, train stations, public galleries.
Books
Of course, such a rich experience in the history of fashion was worth passing on to descendants. Alexander Vasiliev is the author of more than three dozen books, which are mainly devoted to the history of domestic fashion and the style of Russian emigrants of the early twentieth century. His work "Beauty in Exile" was published six times.
Alexander Vasiliev is not only a historian, but also a writer The maestro has plans to publish the memoirs of Tatyana Leskova, the great-granddaughter of the famous Russian writer Nikolai Leskov, prima ballerina of the Russian ballet and ballet director in Brazil. The biography of Alexander Vasiliev, as he himself claims, is slowly being compiled from his diary entries, which he has diligently kept for many decades.
Collections
His passion for fashion history made Alexander Vasiliev an avid collector. Thus, his private collection of historical costume is one of the largest in the world. The most valuable exhibits are masterpieces that belonged to Princess Maria Shcherbatova, ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, countesses Jacqueline de Beaugourdon and Olga von Kreutz. Russian theater and film actresses willingly provide their costumes to replenish this collection.
Since the main purpose of the collection is not so much ownership as educational activity, Alexander Vasiliev forms thematic exhibitions on its basis, which are regularly held in Russia and abroad. The fashion historian’s future plans include creating a permanent exhibition, which will become Russia’s first museum of historical costume.
Personal life
The maestro was married in a fictitious marriage, which he, being a graduate of the Moscow Art Theater School, entered into to obtain a French visa. This marriage lasted five years, but then the couple separated.
After this, Alexander Vasiliev’s personal life was connected only with art. As the maestro sometimes jokes, he married fashion and is happy in such a marriage.
Bibliography
- Beauty in exile
- Russian fashion. 150 years in photographs
- European fashion. Three centuries. From the collection of A. Vasiliev
- Series of book-postcards “Carte Postale”
- I'm in fashion today...
- Sketches about fashion and style
- The fate of fashion
- Little ballerina: Confession of a Russian emigrant
- Russian Hollywood
- Children's fashion of the Russian Empire
- Paris–Moscow: a long return
Vasiliev Alexander Alexandrovich is an extraordinary, talented person who managed to reveal his abilities for the benefit of society. Many people know him as the host of the popular TV show “Fashionable Sentence.” Alexander Vasiliev is also known as a fashion historian who has published many books on this topic. You can learn about his fascinating life from this article.
Vasiliev Alexander Alexandrovich was born in 1958 in the capital of Russia. His parents were intelligent people who devoted their lives to art. My father was People's Artist of the USSR, making scenery and costumes. Mom was an actress and taught stage speech at theater universities in Moscow.
It is clear that from childhood the boy was initiated into the theatrical atmosphere, into the secrets of behind-the-scenes life. He saw how costumes and sets were created, how actors prepared for performances, applied makeup, and dressed beautifully. He remembered many wonderful costumes from childhood. This is how Alexander’s refined taste was formed.
And, of course, he could not resist trying to create, invent, create beauty himself. He created his first costume at the age of five! And at the age of twelve, the young artist was already creating costumes for his own performance.
He also participated in the filming of the children's television program Alarm Clock. But, unfortunately, this hobby required time, effort and could not but affect the quality of studies at school.
At first, the boy was sent to a special school with in-depth study of the English language. But due to poor performance he had to leave there. He entered the school for working youth.
Vasiliev Alexander: yu noble years
Of course, after graduating from school, he did not think long about choosing his profession. Everything had already been decided in advance. Sasha decided to fulfill his dream and entered the Moscow Art Theater School. At the same time, from the age of sixteen, Alexander worked as a prop maker at the Sovremennik Theater.
After graduating from the educational institution, Alexander Vasiliev, the future fashion historian, worked with his father at the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya as a costume designer.
It seems that the beginning of a career has been made. There is only a bright prospect ahead - the implementation of your creative plans. But, however, he was destined to meet his first love at this ardent age. She changed everything in Alexander’s life...
A beautiful girl named Maria Lavrova captured his heart. A whirlwind romance developed. The lovers were happy and intended to spend the rest of their lives together. But... fate decreed otherwise.
Maria's mother married a foreigner and took her daughter with her to the capital of all lovers. “Promise me that you will definitely find me in Paris!” - Masha said goodbye. He, of course, promised, but he had absolutely no idea how he would fulfill his promise.
Traveling to a capitalist country was somewhat problematic in Soviet times. But two years later (these were not easy years for Sasha) he met a French woman at Moscow State University who was studying Russian in Moscow. And then he came up with a plan.
History is silent about how this all happened, but Alexander formalized his marriage with this French woman with the goal of getting to Paris.
The French period in Vasiliev’s life
What happened next is like a touching love film. Alexander Vasiliev found his beloved in Paris. She was a little surprised to see him. Because she could hardly believe that Alexander would come to Paris for her. But, unfortunately, it turned out that Masha was already in love with a young Frenchman. A bitter disappointment in women was born in the artist’s soul. But, one way or another, Paris played a big role in the life of a fashion historian. And who knows, if he had not fallen in love with Masha, maybe the world would not have recognized the real master.
Paris could not help but impress such a creative person as Vasiliev. Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris... And endless lavender fields! All this delighted the thin young man and left an imprint on his work. At first he lived in a small apartment on the fifth floor. The building didn't even have an elevator. Since childhood, Alexander has been accustomed to a slightly different environment. But the beauty of the French capital covered everything.
To be honest, Vasiliev did not imagine that he would stay in Paris for so long. The visa expired quickly, but returning home was impossible for many reasons. So he obtained a residence permit.
In order not to waste time, Alexander enters the school at the Louvre and receives a specialty as a palace interior designer. In addition, he independently increases the level of knowledge and skill. People began to contact the young master with orders.
Vasiliev began to invent sets for such famous theaters as Ronde Pointe, Royal Opera of Versailles, Cartoucherie, Lucerner and others.
Simultaneously with his creative work, Alexander Alexandrovich began teaching fashion history at prestigious universities. Soon he began to collaborate with such French celebrities as Michel Witold, Valerie Dreville and others.
Alexander Vasiliev's wife insisted that he teach Russian at the Paris Lyceum. But he had neither time, nor strength, nor desire for this. Disagreements and quarrels appeared more and more in the family. The couple soon separated after five years of living together.
It is difficult to say whether this marriage was fictitious. Vasiliev himself claims that he had tender feelings for his ex-wife. That everything they had was for real. And by the time he found his former lover Masha in Paris, he had already become attached to his French wife. Therefore, he even breathed a little sigh of relief that his ambition had not suffered.
Peak of popularity
The rumor about the Russian fashion designer from Paris soon spread throughout the world. Vasiliev’s talent and originality were appreciated in many countries around the world. He began receiving job offers from London, Glasgow, Iceland, Japan and Turkey.
Then the fashion historian entered into contracts with colleagues in Spain and Italy. By collaborating with people all over the world, Vasiliev had to expand his knowledge of languages. He successfully studied various languages, which gave him the opportunity to lecture in French, Spanish, and Italian. He already knew English well since childhood. Vasiliev himself admitted that foreign languages come very easily to him.
The popularity of Alexander Vasiliev as a fashion historian grew every day. This was at a time when almost no one knew him at home.
In 1994, Vasiliev received French citizenship. He was invited to design ballet performances in different countries of the world. In the Japanese theater, for example, he designed Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker. And in the Flemish ballet he even became artistic director.
Once in Paris, Vasiliev was at dinner with the Countess de Bogourdon. The famous Russian ballerina Maya Plesetskaya happened to be there. She looked at the young artist’s sketches and was amazed. The beauty of the scenery and the exquisite taste of the master were appreciated.
The high appreciation of Maya Plesetskaya played a significant role in Vasiliev’s acquaintance with the director of the Royal Ballet in Antwerp, Valery Panov. He made Alexander a designer in this theater, which was very honorable.
At the same time, Vasiliev collaborates with filmmakers. For example, Roberto Enrico invited the master to create costumes for the film “And War Comes.” Other directors from different countries also ordered costumes from him for their films.
Homecoming
Did Vasiliev miss his homeland, being abroad for so long and basking in the rays of glory? Probably yes. Because after the collapse of the Soviet Union, he returned back, leaving hospitable Paris. He will always remember France with gratitude, but his heart was drawn to where he was born and spent his childhood and youth.
Maybe he returned earlier, but then he would have faced service in Afghanistan. Therefore, the consul advised the young man to stay in Paris as long as possible. Vasiliev missed his parents. They often corresponded and sent parcels to each other. His mother visited her son in Paris several times.
In Russia, Vasiliev continues his active professional activities. In 2000, Alexander Alexandrovich opened a festival of fashion and theatrical costumes in Samara. It was called “The Volga Seasons of Alexander Vasiliev.”
Then, in 2002, the famous fashion historian appears on the Kultura television channel. There he organizes and hosts the “Blow of the Century” program.
Next year, the design studio “Interiors of Alexander Vasiliev” will open in the capital. What did the author want to show in this project? He decided to present the rich Russian traditions in French chic. The combination of these two diametrically different traditions was unusual and very interesting.
Vasiliev also does not give up teaching. He lectures at Moscow State University, as well as in many cities of Russia. Everyone listened with interest to the famous fashion historian, enjoying his refined manners and amazing wealth of knowledge.
Alexander Vasiliev host of the “Fashionable Sentence” program
Soon, through his efforts, the country's first Museum of Fashion History was opened in Chelyabinsk. Vasiliev also often appears on television and takes part in various programs.
In 2009, Vasiliev’s acquaintance, the famous fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev, asked to replace him as the host of the TV show “Fashionable Sentence”. He had to leave the country for a long time, and his health already left much to be desired. Alexander agreed. This participation in a popular television show brought the fashion historian enormous fame among the common population of the country.
All viewers quickly fell in love with the new presenter for his insightful mind, secular manners, gentleness of character, subtle humor and unusually polite attitude towards the participants of the show.
Since 2012, Vasiliev has been hosting very interesting programs from the series “Portraits of Great Fashionistas” on the Mayak radio station.
In 2011, his personal award “Lilies of Alexander Vasiliev” was established. It can be awarded to the best designer interior designs. These could be cafes, galleries, train stations.
Alexander Vasiliev is the author of many books on the history of fashion and the style of Russian emigrants. He also plans to publish the memoirs of T. Leskova, the great-granddaughter of the famous Russian writer Leskov. Vasiliev’s works are published in different languages in different cities of the world.
Vasiliev’s collections are a special topic. He collects historical costumes. Among them are the outfits of Maya Plisetskaya, Countess de Bogurdon, Princess Shcherbatova, as well as Soviet actresses: Lyudmila Gurchenko, Klara Luchko, Lyubov Orlova and others.
In 2011, Alexander Vasiliev became an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Personal life of Alexander Vasiliev
The TV presenter of the “Fashionable Sentence” program, Alexander Vasiliev, was liked by many viewers. They immediately became interested in his personal life.
After his marriage to a French woman (in which there were no children), Vasiliev, according to some sources, was married again. He married an Icelandic woman, Stefania. But this marriage also quickly fell apart.
According to Vasiliev, he maintains friendly relations with both his first wife and his first lover, Masha. She often visits him.
His first wife later married her former lover and gave birth to children from him. Masha also married a Frenchman and has two children.
After this he was not married again. Once, TV presenter Alexander Vasiliev said in an interview about his personal life that he was dating several women at the same time. Because polygamy is inherent in his nature.
But I wouldn’t refuse marriage either. His chosen one should be smart, well-read, not hysterical, according to Vasiliev himself. Must come from a decent family and have good manners. He still believes that he will find his only permanent life partner.
Vasiliev loves to travel. He traveled around the globe three times. Lying and sunbathing on the beach is not for him. He loves to work in his garden and grow flowers. He considers a measured stay for the sake of carnal needs unacceptable.
