RUSSIA: FASHION - Top Russian fashion designer switches to creating stylish uniforms for armed forces

Record ID: 197500

  • Title: RUSSIA: FASHION - Top Russian fashion designer switches to creating stylish uniforms for armed forces
  • Date: 17th February 2008
  • Summary: (L!WE) MOSCOW, RUSSIA (FILE - MAY 9, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS MARCHING ON RED SQUARE TO MARK VICTORY DAY
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Fashion
  • Reuters ID: LVA4ZL8PFVNZSEPNNIKXGK5ORUSA
  • Story Text: The Russian military is one of the biggest in the world but its reputation over the last few years has been tinged by a heavy reliance on conscription, underfunding and bullying. Desperate to change its image, the Defence Ministry has turned to one of the country's most famous fashion designers to update the soldiers' uniforms.
    44-year-old Valentin Yudashkin is probably Russia's most successful fashion designer. His flamboyant, body-hugging evening gowns are a regular on catwalks around the world and also adorn museums in the main capitals.
    Yudashkin, dressed in a black roll-neck sweater and a black jacket, says the military project had been one of his most demanding, designing 85 uniforms across the air force, navy and army, worn by different ranks and in varying weather conditions.
    "The most difficult thing was to make sure the uniforms, like any other uniform, are functional. I spent a lot of time talking to people who are serving in the army now to understand what is convenient for them, what not, what is comfortable and what not. And secondly I had to find an interesting and modern production company," he said.
    Yudashkin said he found a St Petersburg-based factory to produce the uniforms which took about nine months. The finished look mixed a traditional Russian military style with a modern twist, he explained.
    Sitting in his Moscow showroom next to a collection of frilly, pastel-coloured evening gowns, Yudashkin said he had fused the military's practical demands with a touch of style to create a uniform which makes soldiers both feel and look good.
    "First of all, the new uniforms are more modern and workable, they answer better the wishes of a young person who enters the army and will wear it. I hope they will like it," he said.
    Yudashkin unveiled the new collection last week to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Striking Russian models wore the uniforms which included leather bomber jackets for fighter pilots, slimmed-down caps for officers and overcoats trimmed with lamb-skin for women.
    One of the most drastic changes was to modernise the soldiers' footwear. Yudashkin swapped the pull-on boots with lace-up boots and ditched the centuries old tradition of soldiers wrapping cloth around their feet in favour of socks.
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