Vyacheslav Zaitsev was born on March 2, 1938 in Ivanovo. He is a fashion designer, painter, graphic artist, and theatrical costume designer.

In 1991 he was bestowed the title of Honored Cultural Worker of the RSFSR. In 2006 he received the title of People's Artist of Russia.

In 1956 Zaitsev graduated with honours from Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology and received the credentials to become a textile artist. Later he graduated with honors from the Moscow Textile Institute. He got placement in Babushkin as an artistic director at the Experimental and Technical Garment Factory Mosoblsovnarkhoz.

In March 1965 Zaitsev became the Chief Designer at the All-Union Fashion House, which was also known as Dom Modeli, on Kuznetsky Most, where he worked for 13 years. Meanwhile he created made-to-order theatre, cinema, TV, ice-skating costumes. He resigned from the All-Union Fashion House in 1979, and began to work out of a small atelier, which he transformed into the Moscow Fashion House in 1982.

In 1996 Slava Zaitsev became the president of «Moscow Zaitsev Fashion House» JSC. Corresponding Members of the Russian Academy of Arts (2001), Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (2007), Professor at the Department of Clothing and Footwear Design of the Moscow Technological Institute, Doctor Honoris Causa of A. N. Kosygin Moscow State Textile University, Honorary academician of the Russian Academy of Jewelry Art (2002).