Designer Varvara Stepanova (1894–1958) was one of the greatest creative forces behind the Soviet avant-garde Constructivist group, who aimed to make functional and beautiful products for everyday life.
Designer Varvara Stepanova (1894–1958) was one of the greatest creative forces behind the Soviet avant-garde Constructivist group, who aimed to make functional and beautiful products for everyday life.
Varvara Stepanova.
Varvara Stepanova.
A multi-talented artist, Stepanova produced photomontages, book covers, posters, and theatrical sets, before concluding that her vision would be best realised designing fashion for work and leisure. In 1924–1925, Varvara Stepanova taught textile design at the Vkhutemas art school in Moscow.
A multi-talented artist, Stepanova produced photomontages, book covers, posters, and theatrical sets, before concluding that her vision would be best realised designing fashion for work and leisure. In 1924–1925, Varvara Stepanova taught textile design at the Vkhutemas art school in Moscow.
Sets and costumes for Vsevolod Meyerhold's production of The Death of Tarelkin at the Theater of the Revolution, 1922. Design: Varvara Stepanova. © Rodchenko Stepanova Archive, Moscow.
Sets and costumes for Vsevolod Meyerhold's production of The Death of Tarelkin at the Theater of the Revolution, 1922. Design: Varvara Stepanova. © Rodchenko Stepanova Archive, Moscow.
In 1921, Stepanova co-founded the Constructivist Group, setting out to design functional yet beautiful products for everyday proletarian life. Stepanova and her lifetime partner Alexander Rodchenko began living together in 1916, and soon entered the whirl of the art world, finding themselves at the forefront of the avant-garde. In 1928, Stepanova made a sports uniform with a striking geometric design that emphasises the human body in action, with sharp angular forms, printed abstract patterns and contrasting colors.
In 1921, Stepanova co-founded the Constructivist Group, setting out to design functional yet beautiful products for everyday proletarian life. Stepanova and her lifetime partner Alexander Rodchenko began living together in 1916, and soon entered the whirl of the art world, finding themselves at the forefront of the avant-garde. In 1928, Stepanova made a sports uniform with a striking geometric design that emphasises the human body in action, with sharp angular forms, printed abstract patterns and contrasting colors.
Sports uniforms designed by Varvara Stepanova, 1928. © Rodchenko Stepanova Archive, Moscow.
Sports uniforms designed by Varvara Stepanova, 1928. © Rodchenko Stepanova Archive, Moscow.
Poster for Through Red and White Glasses theatrical performance. Design: Varvara Stepanova, 1924. © Rodchenko Stepanova Archive, Moscow.
Poster for Through Red and White Glasses theatrical performance. Design: Varvara Stepanova, 1924. © Rodchenko Stepanova Archive, Moscow.