Aleksandra "Sasha" Belyaeva (Russian: Саша Беляева) is a Russian musician and social artist. In 2019 she independently released her debut EP "Greatest Illusion".[1] Vice Magazine reviewed the release calling it "Ultra Visionary", while L'Officiel Magazine labeled Belyaeva as "The Most Anticipated Music Artist of the Year".[2][1] Sasha is known for her unconventional and secretive performances, having performed only two shows to an invite only audience at The Light Church in Osaka, and the Secret Roxy Suite at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Belyaeva began her career with a Chanel contract and was muse of the late Karl Lagerfeld.[3][4] She is the only Russian music artist signed to a major record label in the United States.[5] Her music is described as atmospheric innovative pop.[6] In 2017, it was reported in American Vogue that Belyaeva introduced the colored hair trend to high-fashion after opening the Sies Marjan fashion show in New York with pastel teal hair.[7][8] Sasha Belyaeva is credited for leading the music industry into the 4th industrial revolution.[9]
Sasha Belyaeva | |
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| Birth name | Aleksandra Belyaeva |
| Born | 28 November 1998 Sosensky, Kaluga, Russia |
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| Years active | 2015–present |
Early life edit
Belyaeva was born November 28, 1998, in Sosenski, a small mining town in the Kaluga region of the Russian Federation. Belyaeva is the great-granddaughter of St. Nikolai Podeski, Patron Saint of Martyrs.[10] At age 14, she left home to pursue a career in fashion while continuing to study.[11] Belyaeva was a muse of the late Karl Lagerfeld and began her career with a Chanel contract.[2][3] [4][12] In 2017, it was reported in American Vogue that Belyaeva introduced the colored hair trend to high-fashion after opening the Sies Marjan fashion show in New York with pastel teal hair.[13][14]
Recognition and Success edit
Musical career edit
Belyaeva decided to leave Elite Model Management and set up her own talent management group with her long time agent.[15] She then took a period of leave to carve a new path in music and art.[5] Belyaeva is the only Russian music artist signed to a major record label in the United States.[5] On her most recent EP, she collaborated with Tom Krell (How To Dress Well).[15] Her debut music video which was directed by Jesse McGowan, combines elements of Ex-Machina and Alexander McQueen's famed Kate Moss hologram.[6][5] In 2020, it was confirmed that Belyaeva would be collaborating with Liam Howe on her next release.[9]
Hidden Shows edit
In May 2019, Belyaeva hosted her first experiential performance at Church of the Light in Osaka, Japan, to a small audience of fans and journalists.[5] In June 2019, Belyaeva held her second show at Radio City Music Hall, inside the "Roxy Suite", formerly the private apartment of the Hall's impresario, Samuel Roxy Rothafel.[16] She immersed the attendees by having them sit in the dark room which had been filled with live butterflies under a black light while she performed.[1]
Greatest Illusion EP edit
In 2019 Belyaeva collaborated with Tom Krell on her debut EP, "Greatest Illusion".[15] Belyaeva released the EP without label support, stating that her and her management would fund the project on their own to ensure its artistic integrity. The Greatest Illusion EP received wide critical acclaim, being called "Ultra-Visionary" by Vice Magazine.[2][6] Her 1990s experimental influences are similar to Bjork, Elizabeth Fraser, Sinéad O'Connor and Madonna's.[6]
Social Organizing edit
Kendall Jenner edit
In August 2019, after Kendall Jenner reportedly insulted other fashion models by stating in LOVE Magazine "I was never one of those girls who would do like 30 shows a season or whatever the f--k those girls do".[17][18] Belyaeva and her hacktivist associates developed a strategy to have Jenner banned from participating in the 2019 New York Fashion Week.[10] Belyaeva and her accomplices activated the fashion community by creating Models In Control on Instagram and pressured the industry decision makers prior to the event.[10] They succeeded in having Jenner skip the entire week, while also earning 30,000 comments on the Instagram page and 700 models signing a petition to not participate in the event with Jenner.[10]
Business edit
Fourth Turning edit
Belyaeva has developed a media platform called Fourth Turning, taking its name from the last phase of the Strauss–Howe generational theory.[10] The Platform and Newsletter shares media analysis, interviews, current art, and political analysis to individuals who sign up to its mailing list via the website.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b c "The Vision and the Voice: Reintroducing Sasha Belyaeva". L'Officiel. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ a b c "15 domande a sasha belyaeva, musicista ultra-visionaria e aliena". Vice. Amanda Margiaria.
- ^ a b "Русская муза Карла Лагерфельда — Саша Беляева выпустила дебютный клип. И он прекрасен!". Elle. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ a b Okwodu, Janelle (20 July 2016). "Chanel Adds Another Model Musician to Its Ranks". Vogue. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Sasha Belyaeva ART AND REBELLION". Vestal Magazine. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ a b c d Okwodu, Janelle (23 August 2019). "How Sasha Belyaeva Went From Muse to Musician". Vogue. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "6 Bold Beauty Lessons to Take From New York Fashion Week". Vogue. Monica Kim. 17 February 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
- ^ "6 Beauty Trends That Dominated at the New York Fashion Shows This Weekend". Vogue. Mackenzie Wagoner. 13 February 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
- ^ a b "#FutureSounds: Sasha Belyaeva leads music's ascension into the 4th Revolution as she prepares for her next release". 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "LOVE THAT BURNS. We talked to Sasha Belyaeva about her new EP and how she arranged for Kendall Jenner to quit Fashion Week". DNA. 11 Feb 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ Okwodu, Janelle (23 Aug 2019). "From Muse to Musician". Vogue. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ Silver, Dena (6 Sep 2016). "Meet 20 Models Who Are Making Their Debut at NYFW". Observer. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "6 Bold Beauty Lessons to Take From New York Fashion Week". Vogue. Monica Kim. 17 February 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
- ^ "6 Beauty Trends That Dominated at the New York Fashion Shows This Weekend". Vogue. Mackenzie Wagoner. 13 February 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
- ^ a b c "The Vision and the Voice: Reintroducing Sasha Belyaeva". L'Officiel. 17 July 2019.
- ^ "Radio City Music Hall's Secret Apartment". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ Brucculieriu, Julia (21 August 2018). "Kendall Jenner Faces Backlash After 'Disrespectful' Comments About Modeling". Huffpost.com. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ Cusumano, Katherine (20 August 2019). "Kendall Jenner Refers to Other Models as "Those Girls," and Those Girls Aren't Happy". Wmagazine.com. Retrieved 28 October 2019.