Alexander Terekhov hails from a small town in Russia. Now living in Moscow and heading up his own clothing line, Terexov, he is quickly gaining international recognition in the fashion world as a designer capable of sublime elegance. After studying at the

RT: What was the inspiration for the intense, beautiful colors you used for your Spring ‘09 collection?

Alexander Terekhov: I found a vintage dress that was made of pieces of colorful fabric positioned together to form a map. I took that idea and made my own fabric of a map.  I loved the way all of these colors looked together and separately.

RT: Who is the elegant, jet-setting woman you had in mind when you designed this collection?

Alexander Terekhov: She is a composite of many women – I love to see how different women put themselves together.  I especially love to see them in my clothes. I see fabric or a design and feel I have to interpret that into something beautiful. Again, this map inspired me, and it inspired many of the special fabrics we had in the show.

RT: Usually, models are sent out on the catwalk holding a handbag at most, but yours were carrying small, brightly colored suitcases.  With the recurring map print, it seems you are very focused on fashionable travel.

Alexander Terekhov: I am not sure I really had a travel theme in mind. I more liked the idea of the cases, which are a little hard edged. Then we made them more fun with the colors and textures. Mix those cases with the beautiful hued fabrics we used and you have a woman who is going places and doing things.

RT: Who do you hope to see wearing this collection?

Alexander Terekhov: I like to see all different women wearing my clothes. In Russia, there are many types of women who wear my dresses. I love to see the way women put a look together. With my dress as a foundation, it’s interesting to see what the end result is.  In each country, women have their own look- I like traveling and being surprised by what woman are wearing.

RT: Why do you prefer to show in New York, whereas many of your compatriots show in Paris?

Alexander Terekhov: I love New York. I like to look at women in New York – I think they are very glamorous and very serious about getting dressed. I love many things about New York – the energy, the cabs, the lights.  I also think that in the fashion world, the fashion audience in NY is a very important component to my growth. I think New York gets you a lot of attention worldwide.

RT: What would you like to change in the fashion world with your designs?

Alexander Terekhov: I think I have done a good job with dispelling what some people are predisposed to think a Russian designer would design. I know there are many talented designers in Russia – how could there not be?  We have a lot of history – arts, theater – we now have the freedom to express all that beauty in a very bold way through clothes. I think I am doing that.

By Laura Rose for RT