“It’s exciting when people around the world meet for one week and introduce themselves through their clothes” says Perminova over an alfresco lunch at Palazzo Terranova, the 18th-century estate in Umbria, Italy, where she and Lebedev vacation in summer. “Fashion is loud-speaking.”
Born in Siberia, she had modest beginnings. “Siberia wasn’t depressing but it was cold, so I wore a lot of fake cheap fur,” says Perminova, who is now an ambassador for Chanel. “We didn’t have a lot of money. We were a simple family.” When a bad-news boyfriend came along, she found herself unwillingly dealing Ecstasy in Russian discos at age sixteen. She was soon arrested and sentenced to 6 years in prison, at one point restricted to a very small jail cell, about which she has said, “There was a stinking toilet and no soap … and an iron bed clamped to the wall.” Perminova’s father pleaded with Alexander Lebedev, then a member of the Russian parliament, to come to her aid. He did—and not long after, the pair fell in love. “I was so young,” Perminova says of her dark past. “I was blind—completely.” She is grateful to Lebedev, who not only rescued her from a life of ruin but also introduced her to a world of privilege. “He was my angel,” she says. “There is no other word for it.”
Describing her childhood she said: “There are lots of bears walking in the street there and it is always -40°C. I’m joking!” Her predilection for feathers marked her out from her peers at an early age. “All the girls at the infant school dressed as snowflakes in for the Christmas matine show. I was a yellow baby chicken. It’s very important to have a personality. I was nine years old when I realized my style was different from the rest. Blue hair, fox tail on the bag, jeans with hand-made stars sewn on – people were surprised at the beginning, but by the end, they asked, ‘Where did you get this?'”
Perminova made her high-fashion debut by stepping out in a slashed Rodarte sheath at a CFDA event in 2008. And she continued taking part in the most extravagant fashion runways and being the front row guest star by famous designers such as Giambattista Valli, now she is at the top of the fashion world due to her eccentric, extra personal style.
Lena Perminova in London during LFW, in a green feathered fur coat!
White fur collar.
Elena Perminova attends the Giorgio Armani Prive show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 on January 27, 2015, in Paris, France.
With Mira Duma in London wearing a double-color long fur collar.
Elena Perminova attends the Giambattista Valli show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 on January 26, 2015, in Paris, France.
In Paris wearing fur mittens and an amazing fur hat. For sure a winter outfit!
Final Thoughts on Lena Perminova’s Fearless Fur Style
Lena Perminova’s fur looks are proof that style is not about trends, it’s about identity. From her early years to the front rows of the world’s biggest fashion houses, she has used fur as a form of self-expression: bold, playful, and unapologetically personal. Whether layered with feathers, color, or unexpected textures, her outfits show how fur can be powerful without ever feeling forced. For those inspired by her confidence and individuality, investing in timeless real fur coats is about more than fashion, it’s about wearing your story with intention and attitude.
FAQs About Lena Perminova’s Fur Style
1. Why is Lena Perminova considered a fur style icon?
Because she treats fur as a fashion statement, not just outerwear. She mixes textures, colors, and unexpected accessories, turning fur into a key element of her personal identity rather than a classic luxury cliché.
2. What makes her fur looks feel modern and not outdated?
She balances fur with contemporary silhouettes like tailored trousers, minimalist dresses, or edgy accessories. The contrast keeps the look fresh and aligned with current fashion aesthetics.
3. Can Lena Perminova’s fur style be adapted for everyday wear?
Yes. While her looks are bold, the core idea is simple: pair fur with clean basics. A fur collar, mittens, or a cropped jacket can elevate a daily outfit without going over the top.
4. Does fur play a practical role in her style or only an aesthetic one?
Both. Coming from Siberia, warmth is essential, but she proves that practicality and high fashion can coexist seamlessly in one outfit.
5. What types of fur details does she favor the most?
She often gravitates toward statement pieces like fur collars, feathered textures, colorful fur jackets, and accessories such as fur hats or mittens rather than plain, minimal coats.
6. Why does fur work so well with her personal story and image?
Fur reflects contrast: softness and strength, luxury and survival. That duality mirrors her life journey and reinforces her strong, individual fashion narrative.
Sources: Harper’s Bazaar, Stylecaster
