Russian fashion designer Artem Shumov on how China is inspiring his new collections
Shanghai-based Russian designer Artem Shumov made a splash at Moscow fashion week with a collection full of subtle Chinese influences born of his four years spent in the country
At last month’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia in Moscow, one of the most talked about shows was that of menswear brand Artem Shumov.
Buyers and editors alike raved about the designer’s creativity and the quality of both the design and construction of the clothes. But what many didn’t realise was that the collection of sporty suits with playful details was largely inspired by China, which is where Shumov currently makes his home.
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The 30-year-old designer moved to Shanghai four years ago after being coaxed over by a group of friends from his university days in St. Petersburg who had already settled in the city. After about a year he began teaching at the Shanghai campus of the Istituto Marangoni fashion and design school – despite turning down the job several times due to believing such a position was beyond him – which he continues to do today.
Slowly, the culture of the city and its inhabitants began to permeate not only his life, but his work as well.
“What I did before with all my collections was to base them on Russian culture, different periods of Russian history,” he says. “And this time, also because it’s more honest, but my friend challenged me to make a collection based on my lifestyle right now, and that’s why I decided it’s time to make it China-inspired.”