Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. They were symbols of a bad time so it doesnt matter.. Clothing: Ring Smart Home Security Systems eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room: Blink Smart Security for Every Home Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts The industry is completely different now. I remember the first time I arrived in Paris in jeans and a pair of Ugg boots. Like a haven from the outside world.. I was fascinated to know whether, in a contrary sense, this had prepared her and the children for lockdown, as shed already become so accustomed to feeling great isolation, especially in their French chteau, which was sort of isolation anyway. I very much hope that these pieces will find a new home and be equally enjoyed.'. Alexandra Tolstoy published many books (" I worked for the Soviets", 1934; " Father. [4] Although Alexandra shared her father's belief in non-violence, she felt it was her duty to take part in the events of the First World War and served as a nurse on the Turkish and German fronts. Later, while living and working in Moscow, she met Sergei Pugachev, with whom she would have three children. State creditors in Moscow pursued him in the British courts, claiming he embezzled hundreds of millions. Alexandra Tolstoy, Sigrid Kirk and Isabella Macpherson attend the Molly Goddard presentation during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 at the BFC. Check out our alexandra tolstoy selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. He had been living in France for the past five years after being ordered to give up his passports in 2014. Those Monaco wedding couture commissions and a tweed Chanel cardigan (they did a Scottish collection which is the kind of thing I love because its all about the countryside, so Ive kept that). Mr Pugachev denies the allegations and claims Moscow is trying to steal 11billion of his assets, including two shipyards and the world's largest mine. Three North European decorated and painted lidded jars, mid-19th century. Its a very visually stimulating religion., A Russian painted pine model of the Trinity Monastry of St. Sergius, c. 1900. organisation Enjoy browsing and do email us if you have any questions! It was a therapeutic process. Many of them met at the "Aunt Sasha" 90th anniversary in 1974. Student journalism does not come cheap. Reading Russian literature gave me a greater understanding of the Russian character. I telephone Alexandra on a sunny afternoon during lockdown, which she is spending at her parents house with the children; suffering from asthma, she thinks it safer to be with other adults, just in case. Sergei, who left Russia in 2011, claims that after relations between him and Putin cooled, the Kremlin tried to seize or destroy his business empire. They had three children together - Alexei, known as Aliosha, Ivan and Maria. It was also life-changing: a book deal soon followed, as did a brief marriage to an Uzbek showjumper. He appointed her as executor of his will, a task she had to undertake in 1910. In the propertys light, lofty rooms, vibrant contemporary pieces sit in happy juxtaposition with 19th-century works of art, fabulous curiosities and treasures from Tolstoys globetrotting adventures. Alexandra Tolstoy and "Lucky Diamond" arrives at the fourth annual Paws for Style fundraiser hosted by Animal Fair Magazine May 1, 2003 in New York. 2023 - All Rights Reserved 2023 Getty Images. I went to Yasnaya Polyana (which means clear glade) Tolstoys former home, which is 125 miles south of Moscow. I say how I find so much more satisfaction in accumulating individuals pieces and creating ones own eclectic aesthetic, which she certainly concurs: I totally agree! The author and broadcaster invites us on a brief tour of the London home she created with interior design firm Colefax & Fowler, introducing some of the beautiful and eclectic items now being offered in a special online sale. I just called him the baby. Leo Tolstoy's life", 1953 and others). I did really lose myself in that period and Ive started dressing in a way that just wasnt me. We camp and sometimes people have reservations about that. I wanted it to be really comfortable not to be stilted and too formal. 1,514 posts. It was obvious that Alexandra had a completely new life with a huge staff: cooks, nannies, drivers. A highlight is a 19th-century Russian painted pine model, below, of the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius outside Moscow. Shes a pin-up for authentic prairie chic. In 2008 Alexandra met Sergei, then one of Russias most influential men, who had bankrolled the Russian government; but, following Putins eradication of the oligarchy, and the disappearance of a $1 billion loan from the State to his bank which went under a year later, Sergei had to flee Russia in fear of his life, allegedly receiving death threats to himself and their children. Each 18 x 14 in (47 x 35.5 cm), framed. Alexandra is cheerfully conversational, and I congratulate her on the release of the recent BBC documentary about her and her husbands complex relationship (The Countess and the Russian Billionaire); its hard not to be compelled by the remarkable situation of her marriage to one of the worlds richest men, and we soon discuss the astonishing details: While living in London with Sergei, the couple became aware of surveillance placed upon them by the Russian state; Sergeis security company found GPS trackers planted under their cars (which were initially suspected to be explosive devices), including the car used exclusively by Alexandra and the children. It was amazing. State creditors in Moscow pursued him in the British courts, claiming he embezzled hundreds of millions. By 2015, he was dividing his time between France and the family home in London and reputed to be number 3 on Kremlin's hitlist. Any changes made can be done at any time and will become effective at the end of the trial period, allowing you to retain full access for 4 weeks, even if you downgrade or cancel. There are many treasured items that I sourced and selected over the years with the expert guidance of decorators at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. Simply log into Settings & Account and select "Cancel" on the right-hand side. Until then, dressing up for Tolstoy had been more about style and craftsmanship than touring designer boutiques. Its the reason shes been selling off many of the fashion relics of her old life, first with a sale at her Chelsea home, and now with a newly launched website where her own cast-offs will be sold alongside those of other stylish women including stylist Martha Ward and creative director and store owner, Alex Eagle. I note how impossible it must be to represent oneself in a society where value and status is projected through selfsame designer clothes and modern houses, which is entirely different to the way she represents herself now. I thought Id just sell a few things but it went quite viral. As well as her own pre-loved pieces, there are also bargains from some of her fashionable friends, including Cond Nast Traveller's fashion director Martha Ward and chic interiors store owner Alex Eagle. By In 2009, our rst child was born. Someone who worked for us stole my jewellery and at first I was devastated because it was jewellery that I could sell to look after my children, I just thought this is the end, but actually you know Ive managed to survive and its fine. I was living at Claridges, which is just around the corner from where Colefax & Fowler used to have their antiques shop. Among Alexandra's favourite pieces are a pair of white upholstered sofas by Katherine Pooley, which are expected to fetch between4,000-6,000, and two pairs of 20th century Indian palace paintings which are expected to fetch1,000-2,000 a pair. [2] She is the older sister of Xenia Sackville, Lady Buckhurst. Alexandra Tolstoy wearing a Dolce & Gabbana dress now listed for 290 on her website Credit: Courtesy of Alexandra Tolstoy 'I wanted to cleanse that whole phase of my life and get back to. Wed been educated in very different ways. Countess Alexandra Tolstoy is the daughter of Count Nikolai Tolstoy-Miloslavsky, the current head of the noble House of Tolstoy, distantly related to Leo Tolstoy, and the separated wife of Sergei Pugachev, a Russian oligarch who was once worth $15 billion and was amongst Putin's inner circle. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. university But I will never go to France. I think its very important that your house reflects who you are., The Drawing Room at Glebe Place, with interior created by Alexandra Tolstoy and Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. I never failed to fill one. Its not even like I was that good at riding, recalls Tolstoy of the nine-month, 5,000-mile journey from Merv in Turkmenistan to Xian in China. A total of 130 items once displayed in the home, including a Scottish Regency bookcase, carved alabaster models and mid-20th century artwork will be auctioned at Christie's. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Estimate: 3,000-5,000. The self-described "Anglo-Russian adventurer" has travelled by horse and camel (yes, you read that right) for nine months on the Silk Road across central Asia to China, hosted a BBC TV . It has since been pursuing Sergei Pugachev through the High Court claiming he illegally siphoned hundreds of millions of pounds from the government bailout of the Mezhprombank. Throughout my life, all the bad things that have happened have spurred me on. Offered in Alexandra Tolstoy: An Interior by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, 4-25 November, Online. She changed my life. I just had to pack my suitcase and I could go.'. He claims he is being targeted because of his knowledge of state secrets. Being in that landscape makes your senses alert. Last year I had a big sale at home of my own stuff from my oligarch years. The family moved between an array of properties including a 12million family home in Battersea, a 200-acre country estate in Hertfordshire, and a 40million beachfront villa in St Barts. She was given permission to leave the Soviet Union in 1929 and went to Japan in the same year. The broadcaster, author and businesswoman Alexandra Tolstoy has beautiful taste in interiors - here at House & Garden we've featured her fairytale cottage in Oxfordshire as well as her Chelsea house.This week, the contents of the latter are on sale at Christie's as she moves out into a new home (the progress of which we've been avidly following on Instagram). We support credit card, debit card and PayPal payments. The auction house expects the lots to make in the region of 250,000. I gave 20% of what I made to a charity in St Petersburg for children with autism. But the eventual dramatic unravelling of their liaison was laid bare in a documentary which aired last week on BBC, The Countess and the Russian billionaire. The first time I went to Russia was in 1992, just after the Soviet Union dissolved. However, after allowing White Russians to meet in her Moscow home, she was arrested five times by the Bolsheviks and in 1920 was sent to prison for a year. Within months, Tolstoy and was pregnant with Sergei's child. Among the treasures coming to auction are an impressive group of botanical prints (above) sourced by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, and a pair of George Smart felt pictures (below) from around 1820 that once hung in the childrens bedroom. I think its difficult for anybody in those circumstances to be creative; how can you be original? Were still in touch now. The Russians then accused him of profiting from vast sums of taxpayers' money given to Mezhprombank by the Russian central bank at the height of the 2008 economic crisis. I felt like Bridget Jones, so awkward. Each 18 x 14 in (47 x 35.5 cm), framed. He has previously been declared to be in contempt of court, with a two-year prison sentence left hanging over his head should he return to this country. Featuring our stunning jumbo cord overshirt and trousers, silk blouses and folk print dress, this collection is your one stop shop to style her fairy tale inspired Fair Isle jumper and tank top. It was lecturing about this trip at the Royal Geographical Society in London that first got me into leading tours. In 1934, she authored a book about her life entitled "I Worked for the Soviet" and it was published by Yale University Press. When do the clocks change in 2023? The sale runs until November 25 on christies.com. The largest: 31 in (79 cm) high. Alexandra said: 'It was incredible, he would give me his credit card and I would go shopping, I had a private jet. In the autumn, she held a sale at her house and gave proceeds to a charity which supports underprivileged children and adults with autism living in St. Petersburg, who she says are completely unsupported by the state. Alexandra spoke to Jenny Coad. Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the Settings & Account section. Sign up for the latest news, offers and styles, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, The Tolstoy Edit x SJ Axelby Interior Portraits, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Theyre really works of art, some things I didnt do totally wrong.. Alexandra is the eldest of Anglo-Russian historian and writer Nikolai Tolstoy's four children. Having momentarily enjoyed the luxuries of a billionaire lifestyle, shes now entirely without financial support from Sergei, retains no luxuries from their marriage, and has sold all of the designer clothes, bags and shoes shed once owned: but she says shes all the happier because of it. ", The house, though small, was designed to work well for entertaining, but also as a space where Alexandra's children could play and be comfortable. Pugachev once owned two major shipyards, the world's biggest mine and large chunks of real estate in Moscow and St Petersburg, as well as the Mezhprombank, which he co-founded in the 1990s. The mansion was purchased by her ex-partner and the father of her children, Sergei Pugachev, 57, who was once dubbed 'the Kremlins banker' and was close to Vladimir Putin but fell into disfavour and was labelled a traitor by the Russian president. She was active as the Foundation's President and served as a fundraiser, a lecturer, and a writer until l976. Pugachev fled to France before the 2016 High Court ruling in a case brought by Russias Deposit Insurance Agency, in which he was sentenced for 12 breaches of court orders connected to a freezing order imposed on him over attempts to recover the cash. When I came back, I switched my university course from philosophy to Russian at Edinburgh. The oligarch fled to France, where he remains, and was sentenced to two years in his absence by a High Court judge in 2016 for breaching court orders relating to hundreds of millions in allegedly stolen cash. And when youre in an abusive relationship like that it makes you completely and utterly lose your confidence, you dont even realise its happening. Contestant shares behind the scenes secrets from the hit quiz show - revealing there's NO studio audience and how the Chaser's identity is kept secret, The ultimate pre-lockdown to-do list! But my father encouraged me to read and, as a teenager, I read a lot of Leo Tolstoy Im a relative of the writer as well as Lermontov, Chekhov, Dostoevsky and Turgenev. The Russian authorities froze his assets, put him on Interpol's wanted list and obtained a court order in Britain forcing him to hand over his passports. Tolstoy is alluding to the discomfort which these indulgences eventually came to signify for her, leading her away from her instinctive style and appreciation for tradition towards a struggle to fit in and conform to being the sort of woman Pugachev and his circle expected. I thought I had to be someone else, I thought I had to be like those girls. Alexandra is passionate about Russia; her lifestyle, home and wardrobe reflect as such. Riding the length of the Silk Road in 1999, from the ruins of Merv, in Turkmenistan, to Xian, in China, set off this whole apocalyptic adventure or perhaps I should say misadventure. I went quite street. He also claims 'credible attempts' had been made on his life in the UK. Tolstoy will donate 20% of the proceeds from her sales to St Gregorys, a charity which helps poor families in St Petersburg. With the help of Emma Burns and Daniel Slowik of Londons longest established interior decorating firm, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, the Anglo-Russian author and broadcaster created an interior that was warm, welcoming and a reflection of her unique sense of style. [1][2][3], The youngest daughter of Leo Tolstoy (18281910) and of his wife Sophia (18441919), Alexandra was close to her father. Theyre just beautiful and Ill pass them on to my daughter. Countess Alexandra (Sasha) Lvovna Tolstaya (Russian: ; 18 June 1884 26 September 1979), often anglicized to Tolstoy, was the youngest daughter and secretary of the noted Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy. Alexandra on horseback in Kyrgyzstan. Our relationship was wonderful when we were in the wilds, but in the city it was just awful and unhappy. It was the love story of my life, and it did feel dangerous he was this very powerful person, and he did turn on me sometimes in the early days, but there was this drama of winning him back round; I didnt realise that this was all very dangerous abusive pattern., Alexandra believes Sergei spun a false narrative to malign her and distract from his own culpability for the disastrous failure of his business interests; particularly, Sergei blames his downfall on the fact that Putin supposedly disliked his marriage to a foreigner, which she frustratedly contests: Its a very narcissistic thing to do; he made up this whole narrative [in the documentary] which suited its all about belittling me, and by saying that particularly to his close family it gave them a narrative that it was my fault that everything had gone wrong for him; he blamed it on me, saying that Putin didnt like me. Standard Digital includes access to a wealth of global news, analysis and expert opinion. 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