Anton Belinskiy’s latest collection is a search for meaning in the 21st century

Since starting off in fashion in 2011, Ukrainian menswear designer and artist Anton Belinskiy has made his name as a deeply original big thinker.

His latest collection is a voyage into the mystical and the otherworldly, with the lookbook shot alongside an immersive art performance in an ancient woodland outside Kyiv.

Religious themes in particular permeate the work. One ornately knitted black jumper with 1890s gigot sleeves is matched with a long, dark green, monk-like robe. Another outfit sees a green top emblazoned with the words “New Jerusalem” in an elegant, modern font, worn under black, hulking coat.

“We feel that we are changing, and so does the world around us,” Belinskiy says. “Everyone is talking about kindness, acceptance, awareness, climate, religion, and morality, but nobody knows what is the right thing to do.”

By mixing a contemporary, genderfluid take on historical elements, such as flowing, turn-of-the-century sleeves and upcycled vintage suits, with denim and brightly coloured puffer trousers, all paired with nature-inspired patterns, the designer seems to try to reconcile the old and the new.

Indeed, his answer veers towards existential freedom. “We want to talk about the important things without imposing our truth,” he adds. “We think that everyone on Earth should have a mission. And one’s mission is a matter of their own choice. Choose yours!”