Paris Fashion Week took place earlier this month, and a theme throughout was support for the people of Ukraine. In a press release, Ralph Toledano, the President of the event’s hosting organization — the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode — said “Creation is based on principles of freedom, under any circumstances. And fashion has always contributed to individual and collective emancipation and expression across our societies.” He asked that viewers watch the shows “…with solemnity, and in reflection of these dark hours.” He also made the decision to remove Russian designer and Upper East Side resident Valentin Yudashkin’s show from the program.
Valentin Yudashkin was born in Moscow in 1963, and became popular in the 1980s. He is hailed as the first post-Soviet designer to bring a contemporary Russian look to the international fashion world. In 2008, after winning a competition created by Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, Yudashkin designed new uniforms for the Russian Military forces. After presenting the new uniforms to Putin in January of that year, he said “Thank God the army now understands that image is just as important as technical issues.” It seems that Yudashkin is learning that lesson himself as well.
Yudashkin with Vladimir Putin on January 28, 2008. Photo c/o Kremlin.ru via Wikimedia Commons.
Toledano’s decision did not come lightly. “Our team did in-depth research [since the attack on Ukraine began], to see if he had distanced himself and what was his position in the Russian sphere. It became clear that he is an affiliate of the regime. As such, I consider that he doesn’t have a place in the calendar,” he said. Yudashkin’s show still took place virtually, where he shared his fall 2022-2023 ready-to-wear collection on Youtube.
Now, it seems, he’s decided he’s also going to leave the Upper East Side, selling his $8 million penthouse at the Curzon House at 4 East 62nd Street.
