Further expanding in Dubai, Gala Yudashkin showed the latest Valentin Yudashkin Haute Couture 2025 collection in the heart of the city. 

As creative director, she drew her vision from an unusual muse: the watercolour artistry of Russian painter Olga Babaeva. Each brushstroke in Kabaeva’s depictions of St. Petersburg seemed to capture the subtle magic of winter in the historic city. The backdrop mimicked the intricate shapes of ice floes drifting down the Neva River, the soft sky stretching over the architecture and the iridescent glow of layered ice shimmering on the models’ faces. 

The show’s visual storytelling broke boundaries, turning the runway into an immersive work of art. Video mapping projections painted vivid scenes around the audience, shifting through soft tones and icy textures, while models appeared to glide through St. Petersburg’s frosted streets. This wasn’t merely a show to be seen—it was an experience that connected everyone present to the quiet, arresting beauty of a Russian winter.

The colour palette Gala Yudashkin curated reflects the soul of St. Petersburg’s cold season. Deep hues like ultramarine and indigo ground the collection, while turquoise and gentle nude shades introduce warmth and contrast, echoing the balance of winter’s chill and inner light. Each piece was a masterful study in couture craftsmanship, showcasing the complex cuts and layered textures YUDASHKIN is known for. Delicate appliqué, colour-shifting embroidery, and natural feather accents added depth and movement, making each garment feel alive.

Yet the collection’s elegance went beyond colour and fabric. Crystals, glass beads, and sequins adorned each piece like frost catching morning light, creating a sense of energy that felt both vibrant and tranquil. The couture’s delicate, shimmering embellishments turned fabric into reflections of ice, as if the cold beauty of the season was woven directly into the collection.

The accessory line, crafted with the skill of master glass artisans, encapsulated the spirit of St. Petersburg. Inspired by “frozen” fragments of Kabaeva’s art, rings and earrings inlaid with intricate glass designs accompanied each garment, creating a striking visual symphony of couture and crystal. The accessories were more than adornments; they were miniature tributes to a city that itself is a work of art.

This collection redefined haute couture, proving that fashion can be a powerful storytelling medium. Gala Yudashkin’s vision for 2025 is as timeless as it is daring, honouring the storied elegance of St. Petersburg while embracing the future. In a single evening, YUDASHKIN brought the ethereal beauty of a Russian winter to Dubai, leaving the audience not just inspired but transformed, with the sense that couture, like art, has the power to capture the essence of a place and time forever.