‘Like A Lucky Charm…’: How A Ukrainian Designer Styled Zelenskyy For Trump Meeting

Last Updated:August 20, 2025, 17:08 IST

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wore a military-style outfit by Viktor Anisimov at his White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting in Washington: Trump hosts Zelenskyy and other European leaders at White House (Reuters Image)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set aside the traditional suit during his White House meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday, choosing instead a refined version of his signature military-style attire.

The outfit, designed by Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov, featured a black, suit-style jacket and shirt, though still without a tie, a detail that brought it closer to civilian wear while maintaining the wartime aesthetic.

“These are our hopes for peace. We think that if we add something subtle to this image, something from civilian clothing to his uniform, then it will be like a lucky charm," Anisimov said as quoted by news agency Reuters.

Trump praised Zelenskyy’s attire as he arrived at the White House. During the meeting, the two leaders shared a light moment when a reporter told Zelenskyy, “You look fabulous in that suit."

“I said the same thing. That’s the one that attacked you last time," Trump quickly said.

Zelenskyy replied with a smile, “I remember that. You’re in the same suit. I changed mine."

The earlier Oval Office encounter in February this year descended into a shouting match, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berated Zelenskyy, partly over his choice of clothes. A right-wing reporter also criticised him for not wearing a suit, to which Zelenskyy responded that he would wear one once the war in Ukraine was over.

Anisimov, 61, from Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv region, said that while watching videos of the exchange, he felt the remarks were directed not only at Zelenskyy but at the Ukrainian people as a whole.

“There was a slight sense of despair because they do not understand how we breathe, how we live," he said as quoted by the news agency.

Zelenskyy has worn Anisimov’s designs at key moments, including the funeral of Pope Francis in April and the NATO Summit in June.

“I can’t say that we sewed (a suit) specifically for the NATO summit or for an important conversation with Trump and European leaders. The suit is just a suit," Anisimov said.

He added that Zelenskyy has about five similar-looking jackets with only small tweaks.

This was not the first time Anisimov had been tasked with reshaping the President’s style. Back in the early 2000s, when Zelenskyy was a stand-up comedian, Anisimov helped design him and his crew’s wardrobe.

Zelenskyy pledged in 2022 that he would not return to wearing a suit and tie until Ukraine achieves victory in the war, as per the Financial Times.

The fashion shift coincides with a critical moment in diplomacy. Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Finland, as well as NATO chief Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, arrived at the White House on Monday to show united support for Ukraine.

Trump, fresh from a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week, has said Ukraine must give up Crimea and abandon its NATO ambitions, two of Moscow’s key demands.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 20, 2025, 17:08 IST

News world ‘Like A Lucky Charm…’: How A Ukrainian Designer Styled Zelenskyy For Trump Meeting

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