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Navigating Global Fashion: Oleg Chebotarev’s Creative Journey from Russia to China | Oleg Chebotarev & Emily Blumenthal
March 04, 2025 · 29 min

Join us as we sit down with Oleg Chebotarev, the visionary Creative Director of Jump From Paper, who shares his unconventional journey through the fashion world. From post-communist Russia to the bustling creative hubs of China, Oleg’s path is a masterclass in adaptability, resilience, and the intersection of culture and design.

Oleg’s career began with dual passions—international relations and fashion—leading to a bold move to China during the 2008 financial crisis. He opens up about the challenges of navigating language and cultural barriers, drawing surprising parallels between Russia and China, and the lessons he learned in shaping a truly global creative vision.

Takeaway PointsFashion Without Borders: Explore how Oleg’s global perspective shapes his work in fashion and creative direction.Creativity & Commerce: Learn the balance between artistic vision and market demand in the ever-changing fashion industry.The Value of Reinvention: Hear how Oleg’s pivot from photography to creative direction redefined his career.

Our Guest, Oleg Chebotarev, is the Creative Director of Jump From Paper, a brand known for its bold, cartoon-like handbags. With a career spanning continents and industries, his insights into fashion, branding, and cross-cultural creativity offer valuable lessons for designers looking to stand out in the global market. 🎧 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with Oleg Chepiktyov.

Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.

Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com

Buy Emily’s Books: “Handbag Designer 101” & “Savvy Suzanna’s Amazing Adventures in Handbags

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