Menswear designer collaborates with defence ministry for new army-inspired clothing line

Russian menswear fashion designer Leonid Alexeev has collaborated with the Ministry of Defence for a new ready-to-wear clothing line for civilians inspired by the Russian army. Unveiled at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Moscow last week, the collection Army of Russia sees the designer exchange his trademark glossy men’s suits for balaclavas and army boots in a line inspired by Alexeev’s “patriotism and love of Russia”.

“I do not sew army uniforms, but I can help make the army attractive to people. This is my personal form of patriotism,” Alexeev told Sobaka.ru. “Any designer wants to do something important in life, not only for themselves but also for their country. I wanted to build a system which would make high-quality and beautiful things that can serve as promotion for the army,” Alexeev said.

Vladimir Pavlov, general director of military supply shop Voentorg, said that the collection is inspired by the “Crimean Spring” and that the collection’s products are designed for people “leading an active lifestyle and sharing military values — patriotism, camaraderie and mobility”.