About Alena Selezneva
Alena Selezneva is a renowned Russian designer and master of felt and textile art, widely respected both in Russia and abroad. Talented, determined, and endlessly inventive, she has been working with felt for more than 15 years and is credited with developing dozens of techniques, patterns, and technical solutions that have since become part of the standard toolkit for contemporary feltmakers.
Although she does not maintain an online shop or catalogue of works, and rarely participates in fairs or exhibitions, Alena’s influence is profound: most feltwear designers in Russia today have studied at her seminars and courses. Her teaching has shaped an entire generation of makers, giving them both systematic knowledge and the freedom to experiment.
Originally trained as an engineer, Alena brings a logical, constructive mindset to her artistic practice. She combines technical precision with a love of creativity inherited from her family of makers. This unique background allows her to translate complex design ideas into wearable forms, blending structure, innovation, and artistry.
Her creative journey began in the late 1990s, when she discovered felting during travels abroad and became fascinated by its endless possibilities. What started with small home experiments soon expanded into a wide range of work: felted pictures, slippers, interior pieces, and ultimately clothing. Over the years, Alena has mastered and advanced the art of felted fashion design—pioneering structural solutions, sculptural forms, and unconventional material combinations.
Alongside felt, she actively experiments with textile dyeing techniques such as shibori, natural plant dyes, and large-scale fabric design for interiors. She regularly collaborates with designers and theaters, creating custom fabrics, stage costumes, and collections of decorative textiles.
Whether designing sculptural dresses, transforming textiles with natural dyes, or mentoring young artists, Alena Selezneva embodies the spirit of invention. Her work proves that felt and textiles are not just materials, but living mediums for art, design, and imagination.