Russian fashion designer Natalia Naftalieva’s personal exhibition of artwork, avant-garde and fashion collections entitled “Russian Cosmism” opens on April 19 in The National Arts Club of New York.

Natalia Naftalieva presents a new trend though staying true to Russian avant-garde traditions. It is akin to the art of theatrical costume yet is not the same. Naftalieva ignores the decorative meaning of couture and elevates it to the state of conceptual art. She goes beyond the creation of different combinations of garments, does not think in terms of seasonal and stylistic categories, but being a true artist sets a broader challenge.


The creation of self-contained laconic images in clothing is a skill Natalia Naftalieva mastered in perfection as a fashion designer. Yet her creative search leads her way beyond forming harmonic forms and lines. She creates her own language – the language of costume as a means of communication with the viewer. That is why she presents her collections on stage in a form of theatrical performance with live models or mannequins.


Objects created by Naftalieva combine conceptual baldness of solutions and an impeccable unison of color and shape that associates with exquisite toffish outrageousness. Her works appeal to viewer’s intellect and sensitivity. Images that costumes form are coded messages that go straight into the subconscious. They are irrational and symbolic. Naftalieva models her artistic concepts on female figure as sculptor with clay or painter splashing out emotions and mentality to canvas does.



“I don’t like to simply quote historical costumes. Past belongs to movies and museums. Of course, you can make new fashion trends out of crinolines but I prefer silhouettes close to human shape. Antique art praising the natural grace of human body is very close to my mindset. My guidelines are the lines that play with the absolute form in nature – the human body. We, artists, are the servants to God’s creations”. - Natalia Naftalieva.


The National Arts Club was founded in 1898 by Charles de Kay as a gathering place for artists, patrons and audiences in all the arts. It is located in the historic Tilden Mansion, a National Historic Landmark that continues to inspire artists from around the world. The National Arts Club unites painters and film directors, sculptors and architects, writers and musicians, photographers, actors and theater people and fosters young artists. Among the distinguished club members at various times were such prominent figures as Theodore Roosevelt, Paul Manship Martin Scorcese, Robert Henri, Robert Redford, Uma Thurman and others.