Golovin loved the little-known cultural traditions of the vast Russian empire: folk art, peasant costumes, Slavic patterns. He drew rhythmic lines of blue and gold onto plain white fabric, relying on the structure provided by a wire hoop. Instead of barbaric reds and golds however, Golovin used the pastel hues favoured by artists of the late 19-century World of Art movement. His designs seem modern because of the simplified patterns, rendered in these subtle colours.