The exhibition "Art and traditions of the Russian Empire. From Peter the Great to Nicholas II » was opened in Paris. The Embassy of Russia in France organized the exhibition, which was attended by several thousand people, the exhibition is held under the patronage of the French Ministry of Culture and the Russian Ministry of Culture.
The exposition devoted to Imperial Russia, is held from September 18 to October 10 in a magnificent palace, which was built in the period from 1711 to 1713 for the Count D'Estrees, and became in 1863 the residence of the Russian ambassador.
The exhibition presents the unique documents, photographs, artwork and personal belongings of Russian emperors and members of their families.
A special section of the exhibition is devoted to the activities of the legendary fashion house IRFE established in Paris in 1924 by members of the imperial family, Irina Romanova, niece of Nicholas II, and Felix Yusupov, which, is according to organizers of the exhibition is a unique embodiment of tastes and traditions of the Russian imperial family, the symbol of Russian penetration of roots in the native French culture.
Along with the fashion house IRFE, the exhibition also includes an exclusive product of the famous suppliers of the Russian Imperial Court of that time, such as Cartier and Christofle. Submitted exhibits - photographs, documents, and most importantly - the objects of the time, are unique by the fact that they are the subject of exclusive private collections, most of which have never been exhibited.
Official opening of the exhibition organized in the frame of Russia- France Year 2010, visited the French Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand, Russia's ambassador to France, Alexander Orlov, the Grand Duchess Maria Romanova, her son, Grand Duke Georgy Romanov, a famous artist Mikhail Shemyakin, and many other figures art, politics and business.
At the invitation of the Russian ambassador and the Minister of Culture of France the opening ceremony attended Olga Sorokina, the designer of fashion house IRFE, who revived in 2008 in Paris, this legendary brand.
"I tried to work as if the House IRFE never ceased its activities. And I am very happy that my efforts and those of the imperial family to preserve and promote Russian cultural traditions are not forgotten today and receive such recognition of public, politicians and cultural figures. Fashion House IRFE will continue to develop and preserve this rich heritage, "said Olga Sorokina at the opening ceremony.
