V ladimir Melnikov is a self-made Russian billionaire who is the founder and chairman of the board of directors of Gloria Jeans, one of Russia's largest and most successful fast-fashion and apparel retailers. He founded the company in the early 1990s, during the turbulent post-Soviet era, after having been imprisoned during the Soviet period for the 'crime' of private enterprise. He has since built Gloria Jeans into a massive retail empire with hundreds of stores across Russia and other former Soviet countries.

Gloria Jeans is a vertically integrated company that designs, manufactures, and sells its own line of affordable, casual clothing, with a particular focus on denim. The brand is a household name in Russia and is often compared to international fast-fashion giants like H&M and Zara. The company remains privately held by Melnikov, and his ownership of this massive retail enterprise is the source of his billion-dollar fortune. He is known for his deep Orthodox Christian faith, which he has integrated into the culture of his company.