When Marios Schwab agreed to highlight the program at the Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week Russia in Moscow, he was well aware that there might be a
few obstacles. First were language barriers, then the last minute drama (a few of
his models had to wash their hair in the bathroom sinks while running in
from the previous show), extreme capital traffic jams, and the
often-difficult customs at Sheremetyevo. When the Brit arrived in the
city with his fall collection, he was grilled for four hours at the
airport. But Schwab didn’t mind a bit. “It sort of built up
the adrenaline,” he smiled. “But this is one exciting town
and if that’s what you have to deal with, then it’s worth
it.”
In fact, the Halston creative director had long dreamt of stamping his
Russian visa for the first time. “It was always a childhood fantasy
to come here because I loved Dr. Zhivago,” he recalled.
“It’s probably all very stereotypical but it’s true.
I always imagined that my trip would start in the snowy
Trans-Siberian.” The designer’s first effort outside of
London inspired a packed house of 1,400 in a primetime hour. The show was
delayed by 70 minutes, but the Russian fanatics eagerly and happily
waited with flowers in their laps.
After accepting the ovations and bouquets, Schwab realized he only had
twelve more hours left in town. “I went to Kremlin and Red
Square, and unfortunately my big museum dreams weren’t
fulfilled,” he sighed. “But I’m already planning my next trip
when the Bolshoi re-opens in June. I can’t wait to actually sit in
the audience and then really take in the Pushkin Museum without worrying
about the samples or the customs.”
