Costume as a means of communication: the hidden properties of clothing explored at the III All-Russian Wedding Festival

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Fashion and physiology, science and centuries-old rituals came together during the educational programme of the III All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts". Experts at the session "The Neurophysiology of Clothing", neurophysiologist Vyacheslav Dubynin and costume designer Viktoria Sevryukova, showed that clothing — both festive and everyday — is not merely made of fabric, but is also a means of communication, a cultural code and a powerful tool that affects the brain and can even programme the future.

Vyacheslav Dubynin, a neurophysiologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences and Professor at the Faculty of Biology of Lomonosov Moscow State University, suggested looking at clothing as an interface connecting our nervous system with the outside world. According to him, fabric and cut influence our thoughts, behaviour and even biochemical processes in the body.

"Clothing is an 'interface' for our brain, connecting our nervous system and psyche with the outside world. Interface literally means a means of interaction: it may sound like a modern computer term, but it is remarkably accurate. Clothing carries a great many meanings. There is a reason people say we judge others by their clothes: first of all, we try to understand who this person is and why they are dressed this way," Vyacheslav Dubynin explained.

The neurophysiologist added that clothing not only tells others about us, but can also change us. He gave the example of children who, when dressed as astronauts or doctors, are effectively programming their brains to choose a future profession.

"When a child puts on an astronaut or doctor's costume, they are planning their future. By putting on certain clothes, we help our brain shape our future behaviour, and later, when opportunities arise, that is where we go. Clothing therefore becomes a kind of telescope, a spyglass into our future," the expert said.

He also touched on ritual clothing and its effect on a person's emotional and psychological state. Different situations, according to the scientist, require different modes of behaviour, and clothing helps people adopt the right mindset.

"If you put on an office suit, you are already giving yourself a certain set of instructions. There have been physiological studies in which students sat exams wearing clothes with different levels of formality. And this sensible increase in alertness through clothing really works. It activates you, reduces mental noise and helps you focus on the task. That is why, for example, attending an online meeting in a jacket on top and, excuse me, underwear and slippers underneath is a bad idea," Vyacheslav Dubynin concluded.

Costume designer, Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, two-time Golden Mask award winner and collector Viktoria Sevryukova, in turn, emphasised the important role of wedding attire in a person's life, comparing the wedding ritual to a "solo performance" by the bride and groom. According to her, a wedding is a peak moment, a transition to a new status, and clothing should emphasise this.

"Wedding attire is your solo appearance. It is one of the best moments of your life, and you should be yourself. At a wedding, you are not merely a guest or participant — you are the central figure. The groom's suit should complement the bride's dress," Viktoria Sevryukova said.

The expert added that in ancient Russian tradition, a wedding was the central turning point in a person's life, while elements of the bride's and groom's festive attire not only served as protective charms, but also reflected dreams for the future.

"All of life before the wedding was preparation for it, and all of life afterwards was the fulfilment of a vow. There is a reason the bride was the central figure in this beautiful performance: she appeared entirely in red and gold, wearing a tall headdress. Elements of the costume could also reflect what future relatives expected from one another. For example, girls in Russian villages began embroidering a wedding shirt for their future husband from the age of 12, as if asking the Universe for their ideal man: buttercups for romance, acorns for wealth and grapes for passionate love. The groom's mother, in turn, embroidered a protective belt for her son, and through this item also seemed to express what kind of daughter-in-law she hoped for," Viktoria Sevryukova explained.

The experts agreed that wedding attire, like other clothing, remains a code capable of revealing more about a person than words. The wedding ritual, in turn, helps newlyweds achieve symbolic immortality by bringing together the traditions of the past and dreams of the future.

The III All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts" is being held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 8 and 9 July. It is organised by the National Centre RUSSIA jointly with the Moscow Government and the Moscow Civil Registry Office. The I All-Russian Wedding Festival was held in 2024 as part of the International RUSSIA EXPO. The event has become annual and is held on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. This year, the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia has been announced as the festival's main theme.