Interview with the owner of the Burda Academy Varvara Rudenko
Varvara, where and when were you born, where did you study and what did you graduate from?
I was born in Astrakhan, in the Soviet years – 1985 – I caught the times of shortage, coupons, and post-Soviet times. Up to grade 5, I studied at an ordinary secondary school, from grade 5 to grade 11 – at a School for gifted children. Then I entered the Faculty of Economics at ASTU, a marketing specialist. Graduated in 2007. In 2020, I received additional education at the Astrakhan Technological College – ATC in the specialty “Design and manufacture of clothing”, taking into account the Worldskills standard in the competence “Fashion Technology”. In general, I had a lot of additional training: marketing, sales, psychology, design and tailoring.
Why Burda? Why exactly did you choose this direction?
Burda – chose me herself)) I was not fond of sewing as a child and in my youth, as happens with many girls. I came to sewing at a mature age, after 30 years. Opening a sewing school was the marketing strategy of my dad’s sewing store chain, where I was the development director. But the sewing school fascinated me so much that I began to develop it as an independent business.
What is the most important thing in this direction and why does it attract people?
I sincerely believe that sewing is in the blood of every woman from birth – just everyone has their own time. Someone starts sewing at the age of 7, and someone at 79 – this is the age of our most adult student. I see the burning eyes of women who dream of new images that they create with their own hands – and it brings me joy! I want to give this inspiration further. And, in today’s time, sewing can also make good money. I teach this in our course “Become a designer”, where I tell about marketing and sales
Is fashion design a vocation or a specialty?
In general, all the designers I have ever met are obsessed people – they are obsessed with creativity and this is not about “specialty”. Many people first create, and then think what to do with all this. Of course, I want a fashion designer to earn well and enjoy not only creating his creativity, but also from sales. In the new realities, future designers are thinking about sales – and this pleases. After all, creativity that brings income is twice as pleasant.
What can you wish for aspiring designers and tailors!
I always have one wish: If you have made a decision, do an action. If you’re scared, go into your own fear. Today, the state supports designers and tailors very well – there are many programs under which you can get funding from the state for the purchase of equipment and fabrics. You just need to take it. I wish everyone – creativity!