FASHION-RUSSIA/PATRIOTIC DESIGNERS Russian designers bring politics to the catwalk with Putin-inspired collections

Record ID: 150091

  • Title: FASHION-RUSSIA/PATRIOTIC DESIGNERS Russian designers bring politics to the catwalk with Putin-inspired collections
  • Date: 4th June 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) A DESIGNER FOR PUTINVERSTEHER LABEL, ANNA KREYDENKO, SAYING: "All of my prints contain everything that's happened last year, what will happen in the future, there is a mention of sanctions, of Ukraine, of positive changes and of the 70th anniversary of the Victory. In general, everything that is going on in Russia now is reflected in my collection."
  • Embargoed: 19th June 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAERU080X0YJKB2XIWHHQ4E86ML
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Young Russian designers entertained guests at a special fashion show in Moscow on Wednesday (June 3) with a wild mixture of kokoshniks, respirators and Russian President Vladimir Putin-inspired patterns.
    The fashion show was held at the New Manege exhibition hall, located at the heart of the capital, just across the street from the Kremlin and near the Russian parliament.
    One of the collections featured was entitled 'Pravda' (Truth) and based on a series of political paintings that were also put on display for the fashion show.
    Models sashayed along the catwalk wearing pieces that had a decidedly patriotic twist, including a T-shirt representing Vladimir Putin as a builder that was constructing the country brick by brick.
    Other pieces in the series ranged from depictions of American president Barack Obama holding a boomerang in the colours of the U.S. flag, as well as piranhas with U.S. flag colours in a blender that bore the colours of the Russian flag.
    The same images that were placed on display could then be seen on T-shirts and dresses worn by models on the catwalk.
    Designers at the fashion show said they found inspiration for their collections from current international affairs.
    "Everything is connected with certain moments, certain events happening in politics or in the world in general. For example, the assault rifles are connected to the paintings I've created. It was dedicated to the topic of resolving the Syrian conflict. There were Syrian assault rifles, stuck into the ground so they would never shoot again. So it means peace," said artist turned clothing designer Pavel Chuvin, with his colleague and contributing designer Dinar Yardin standing next to him.
    The show was meant as the climax of a nationwide contest called "New Russian" organised with the support of the government.
    According to organisers the show was made possible partly with funding that came as a result of a presidential decree last year that outlined the granting of 1 million roubles ($18,900) to NGOs that "take part in the development of civil society institutes and realisation of socially important projects."
    Some 280 designers applied for the opportunity to showcase their collections at the fashion show, with organiser selecting a final seven as winners of the competition.
    Competition organisers required for the works to relate to the history and symbols of Russia in five categories: 'The beginning', 'The Imperia', 'The Victory', 'The 90s', 'New Russian'.
    One of the finalists, a team working under the label Putinversteher, which literally means 'Putin Understander', created a jewellery line alongside the clothing pieces. The name makes reference to a term that is used in Germany for those who sympathise with the Russian leader.
    Russian designers hoped to redefine the term and give it a new fashionable dimension.
    According to founders of the label their jewellery line started as a limited edition of rings, created for supporters of Putin, but soon attracted great attention from media and the general public. Putinversteher says the first 100 rings made by them, costing at around $140 each, were sold out within two days of going on sale.
    Describing the buyers, co-founder of the label, Gleb Kraynik, said that they range from students to top officials, but he told Reuters TV that all of them have one thing in common: "In reality to be "Putinversteher" (Putin Understander) today means to be in opposition to the whole world, to these humanitarian bombings, orange revolutions, bearded women etc. It is good conservatism, a good Russian idea."
    Kraynik complained that because of legal issues the label is unable to export their rings abroad. But said the label had received many orders from buyers in Germany, Czech Republic, the USA and several other countries.
    Another designer, working under the same label, Anna Kreydenko, said that her business gained in popularity and that her designs were already available in several online shops.
    She said her latest collection was inspired by the Putin's most recent presidential address to the federal assembly. The range consisted of tight high-waist skirts, crop-tops, bomber-jackets and loose dresses with prints of the Russian President's speech.
    "All of my prints contain everything that's happened last year, what will happen in the future, there is a mention of sanctions, of Ukraine, of positive changes and of the 70th anniversary of the Victory. In general, everything that is going on in Russia now is reflected in my collection," said Kreydenko.
    The works of other young designers also stuck to a patriotic theme, varying from kokoshniks - traditional Russian head-dresses - to military style clothing that models showed off wearing respirators instead of accessories.
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