Fashion week moments: backstage before Slava Zaitsev’s outrageously opulent show

To mark the 33rd MBFWRussia, we’ve teamed up with photographer Ryan Koopmans to bring you exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into Moscow’s biggest fashion event.

Here the Russian Song vocal ensemble wait for their moment on the catwalk, opening the show for septuagenarian Russian designer Slava Zaitsev, who made his career as one of the only haute couture designers of the Soviet era. Clad in folk-inspired monochrome outfits designed by the “Red Dior” himself, the group treated the crowd to a traditional song and dance performance. Hardly a forward-looking start to the week, but Zaitsev’s show was nonetheless received in the customary manner: adoring applause, bouquets and standing ovations.