Demna Gvasalia — Lecture on Fashion, Identity, and Contemporary Culture

Demna Gvasalia — Lecture on Fashion, Identity, and Contemporary Culture

Post-Soviet consumer culture, the Orthodox Church, counterfeit fashion, flea markets, hip-hop, video games, and the internet—these may seem like unlikely inspirations for the world of haute couture. Yet it is precisely from these memories, images, and cultural references that Demna Gvasalia has created one of the most recognizable visual languages in contemporary fashion.

His designs instantly become memes—and for good reason. In the 21st century, public reaction often matters just as much as the object itself. Behind every provocation, however, lies exceptional craftsmanship, innovative tailoring, and a deep understanding of the heritage of fashion houses such as Balenciaga and Gucci.

During the lecture, we'll explore:

• What postmodernism and meta-irony are, and why they are essential to understanding today's world.

• Why Demna Gvasalia continually draws on memories of his own childhood—and why these stories resonate with people across the globe.

• Whether "ugly" beauty is simply a marketing strategy or an intellectual artistic approach.

• How fashion relates to identity, self-expression, and modern social dress codes.

• Why hoodies, sneakers, and tattoos have become defining cultural symbols of our time—and where to place the comma in the phrase: "Cancel, not keep".

Lecturer: Galina Apryshkina — art historian, lecturer, and guide with many years of professional experience in Moscow and Tbilisi.