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Consider business fashion forums: Typically, they might not be on an actress' radar. No red carpet glamour and an indie designer's threads won't exactly make headlines, given that the halls are already swimming with creative visionaries. But then came the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, shattering the mold with a star-studded lineup of famed actresses from Italy, China and India.
The designers weren't left behind either; the summit played host to groundbreaking fashion shows featuring global talents. Luxury South African label David Tlale, an ace known for setting the New York Fashion Week ablaze, sparkled bright. Hot on Tlale's trail were Turkey's fascinating Arzu Kaprol and Brazil's Lucas Leao, the maestro of technological textiles.
Just for context, BRICS is a powerhouse combo of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, banding together to foster economic and creative symbiosis. Hence, the starry Chinese and Indian presence in Moscow was less of a surprise, more of a treat.
Taking the mic first was China's fiery actress and producer Sienna Li, the force behind Suobao Film Group. Credits include stunning successes, like The Warring States and Special ID, featuring superstar Donnie Yen. At the summit, Li spilled the secrets behind her designer dress selection process for certain events.
Sharing the spotlight with Li was Bollywood's glittering sensation Pavleen Gujral, whose filmography boasts the award-winning Angry Indian Goddesses, the noir masterpiece Gehraiyaa, and the recent blockbuster Sukhee. Stamping their fashion-savvy, both actresses attended shows by Russian designer Alena Akhmadullina and the extravagant Indian fashion spectacle featuring maestros like Ritesh Kumar, Naushad Ali, Gaurav Khanijo and Shruti Sancheti.
But the show's belle was the Italian icon Ornella Muti, known for her role in the 1980 classic Flash Gordon and having a vibrant European filmography. However, at the summit, Muti emerged as a champion of local designers, looking beyond luxury Italian brands. "Italian brands soared to fame because they were loved and supported, primarily by Italians.
Similarly, "Chinese, Russians and Indians should wholeheartedly rally around their brands to garner global recognition," Muti passionately conveyed during a discourse on local brands. She admitted to sporting outfits by Russian designer Ulyana Sergeenko for years now, a decision that, much to her surprise, hasn't stirred any Italian feathers!