Russian fashion has come a long way since Gosha Rubchinskiy and the so-called post-Soviet movement — an aesthetic defined by skateboarding, '90s subculture, sportswear, and gritty architecture. This type of look, often very urban and masculine, has always been too rigid to reflect Russia’s cultural multitudes. Thankfully, a new generation of fashion designers are here to tell stories on their own terms.

In the last few years, Russian fashion has seen a new wave of emerging voices – all very different, but each of them authentic in their own right. From pre-Soviet craft traditions to provincial small-town quirks to using streetwear as a means of galvanizing politics, this is a group that reflects the next generation’s commitment to creative expression. Forget the conservative cultural mainstream — the new guard is hell-bent on defining beauty, style, and gender expression on its own terms.