The Treasures of the Nomad: Paris and Beyond

Alexander Vasiliev b. 1958 — fashion historian, theatrical artist, television host, president of the Alexander Vasiliev Foundation, honorary member of the Academy of Arts of Russia, knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of France and the Order of the Cross of Latvia. Author of the books “Beauty in Exile”, “Russian Fashion: 150 Years in Photographs”, “Family Values”. In his new book “The Treasures of the Nomad: Paris and Beyond”, Alexander Vasiliev tells how he arrived in Paris in 1982 with a folder of his sketches — and how, within a few years, he became a sought-after theatrical artist and fashion historian worldwide; how he taught the history of fashion in Paris, South America, and Japan, designed performances on the best world stages, and worked with Yuri Lyubimov and Maya Plisetskaya; about his encounters with Rudolf Nureyev, Galina Vishnevskaya, and Pierre Cardin, about his friendship with first-wave émigrés, including artists Rostislav Dobuzhinsky, Dmitry Bushen, Erté, aristocrats, ballerinas, and models... How the famous book “Beauty in Exile” was created and the unique collection of historical costumes was assembled. The book is illustrated with photographs from Alexander Vasiliev's archive. “I return to the past as to a treasure trove filled with impressions, performances, encounters with great people, breathtaking journeys…” Alexander Vasiliev “Practically alone, Sanya Vasiliev carries a heavy burden of centuries, a hundred-year memory of generations, ancient junk that has become, thanks to him, a museum value... Where Sanya is, the sound of ancient glasses can be heard, mirrored glimmers twinkle, the flame of candles shines. It is always a theater of one actor.” Sergey Nikolaevich