Fashion prodigy shrugs off downturn
Published 10 December, 2008, 07:59
Teenage clothes designer, Kira Plastinina, believes fashion is a safe bet. And while the financial crisis continues to dent consumer confidence worldwide, the young Russian prodigy remains upbeat, opening a new show in Moscow, where she has enlisted the help of some celebrity talent.
Plastinina is not short of famous pals, and taking part in the opening of her new show was friend and the author of ‘The Truth About Diamonds’ – Nicole Richie, adopted daughter of 80s pop singer Lionel.
The American ‘celebutante’ and the daughter of a Russian multi-millionaire juice-and-dairy king have a lot in common. They’ve spent several years learning to stand on their own feet.
As well as being an author, and a jewellery designer, Nicole Richie has a TV career. She was a star of the reality show ‘The Simple Life’.
Plastinina has made her name as a clothes designer. And although some of her pieces cost up to $400, the 16 year-old says not all her stuff is for the rich and that prices in her stores won’t change.
“The collection is not expensive, it is affordable. And I think it is important that fashion is affordable to all girls,” Plastinina says.
Last year Plastinina’s father allegedly paid $2 million to bring famous socialite Paris Hilton to his daughter’s show in Moscow.
With stores in LA, New York and all across Russia, Kira says she's used to people saying she owes her success to her father.
“People who know me, my friends and my family, know that I work really hard,” Plastinina says. “I try doing my best but I can prove nothing to people who don’t know me.”
Glamorous women in Russia prefer not to mention the economic crisis spreading like wildfire across the globe.
“I guess it's a big disappointment for my parents but I’ve started spending much more, especially on clothes,” a visitor to Plastinina’s boutique said.
“No, I’m not spending less than before. Fortunately or unfortunately, I study economics and I can assure you that the crisis hasn't reached Russia yet,” added another.
Birds of a feather flock together, and they're quite happy in the belief they are immune to the economic shakedown.
But should the global economy hit the rocks, all might be dressed up but with nowhere to go.
RT interview with Kira Plastinina
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