Elena Khudiakova (Russian, 1957-2015) Four avant-garde dresses and

each illustration signed and dated '89' l.r., gouache and gold paint; together with a handwritten letter sent to Warner by the artist with a collection of colour photographs, and an invitation for the exhibition 'Elena Khudiakova: Costumes and Fashion Designs from the USSR' held at Birch & Conran, Dean Street, London, 2 October - 7 October 1989, each design 28.5 x 20cm; framed 44 x 35cm, The collection of Warner Dailey, who purchased these from the artist circa 1989. Khudiakova studied art at the Moscow Architectural Institute, before moving to London in 1989, where she quickly established herself as a painter and designer, reinterpreting Soviet imagery from the 1920s into avant-garde fashion designs. Her work often incorporated familiar Soviet symbols of hammers and sickles and the Kremlin skyline. She was inspired by the early 20th-century constructivist designers Nadezhda Lamanova and Varvara Stepanova, as she sought to transform the functional Soviet aesthetic into stylised, elegant fashion designs, bringing together the Soviet Russian culture of her childhood and the modern consumerism of the West. Whilst in London, Khudiakova associated with influential artists, including Francis Bacon and Gilbert & George. She exhibited work at the Birch and Conran Gallery, Anthony Reynolds Gallery, and at the Russian Cultural Centre at Pushkin House in London, and her work quickly became highly desirable, featuring in the collections of Charles Saatchi and Elton John. In the late 1980s, Khudiakova's designs featured on the popular daytime television programme 'This Morning', bringing her work into the mainstream. From 1994 to 2010, she worked with the eminent British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. 'Elena Khudiakova was a Soviet fashion designer who I met in Paris in 1985 before my trips to Moscow. She is a key person in my book "Bacon in Moscow". Her designs use early Soviet imagery with an influence from the early constructivist designer Varvara Stepanova. She often wore her own clothes. It is believed Elton John bought two dresses from the Sotheby’s sale in 1988.', 'Elena Khudiakova was a Soviet fashion designer who I met in Paris in 1985 before my trips to Moscow. She is a key person in my book "Bacon in Moscow". Her designs use early Soviet imagery with an influence from the early constructivist designer Varvara Stepanova. She often wore her own clothes. It is believed Elton John bought two dresses from the Sotheby’s sale in 1988.', Condition Report, Condition Report, The dress designs present well. They have not been viewed out of the glazed frames. Please contact the department if a more detailed condition report is required. Red dress - 91cm hips, 76cm waist, 134cm high Collared dress - 83cm hips, 67cm waist, 147cm high Strapped dress - 85cm hips, 74cm waist, 139cm high Shawl - 87cm hips, 132cm high. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

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