A View of the Visionary World of
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Leonid Gurevich Written By Jadan Horyn @JadanHoryn Edited By Edina Sultanik
Leonid Gurevich, photographed in his home by Zinno Park.
T
he concept always comes first Gurevich explained. An idea that can be totally vague at that early stage, but it’s always there as a point of departure. I start building around it, enhancing it with concepts. If a particular piece doesn’t exist or is not available at the moment, I make one myself. That’s where my designer’s background comes in handy. When I styled an advertising campaign for NIKON and a campaign for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, for instance, I made the main dresses myself. If Gurevich’s powerful cohesive visionary mind was created in the crucible of his youth, then his ambition was galvanized by the first time he laid eyes on American Vogue. When other boys were preparing themselves to become 94
firefighters or cosmonauts, he dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Life took him first to Israel then the United States. Here he attended and graduated from FIT, working for Zac Posen then Liza Minnelli. From there, he released his own collections. America was a land of opportunity but also one of ruthless artistic appropriation by others. Gurevich has carved out a niche for himself as the visionary behind numerous advertising campaigns and the covers of countless magazines. Often imitated, never equaled. Stylist. Photographer. Art Director A two-time immigrant, Leonid Gurevich is a Russian/Jewish American fashion designer, turned stylist, turned published fashion
25A Metropolitan Magazine Palm Beach | Metmagny.com
photographer, best known for creating strong fashion images with luxury flair, characterized by an extreme degree of individuality. Prior to becoming a professor at a Fashion Institute and a film director (“Collective Effort”) Gurevich has worked with Academy Award-winner Liza Minnelli; styled advertising campaigns for NIKON and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, fashion presentations, look-books, music videos, advertising campaigns for bridal, millinery, and eyewear brands, and has styled countless fashion editorials. His work has appeared in numerous print publications including The New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, US, HELLO, DEPARTURES, Travel & Leisure, as well as TV ads and billboards around the world.
