Russia?€™s Defense Ministry Launches Pret-a-Porter Collection

While most of us do not associate the catwalk with buff men in army gear, Russia's Armed Forces has shown it is more than willing to step into the spotlight with a new clothing range for civilians.



The Defense Ministry's design label — Russian Army, or Armiya Rossiya — showcased its Fall/Winter collection of "army inspired" outfits as part of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia, which ran from March 26-31.

As glamour girls in stilettos watched on, men wearing balaclavas strode along the catwalk to the beat of drums and war songs, showing off bomber jackets and sweaters bearing slogans like "Victory," news reports said.

The slogan "Polite" also made a comeback on the catwalk, referencing the term used in Russia to describe the troops without insignia who appeared in Crimea ahead of its annexation last spring. The slogan was soon picked up by savvy traders who peddled "Polite People" T-shirts for the patriotic-minded.

Alexander Shumsky, the head of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, told reporters it was important to remind people to be "polite" at a time of widespread aggression, the Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper reported.

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Yevtukhov, whose ministry co-sponsored the fashion event, said the army-inspired collection had been the Defense Ministry's idea.



"The military uniform has always been part of our [Russian] national culture," he was cited as saying by fashion news website RIA Moda.

?€?Army,?€? the label on this jacket reads.

"Politeness Conquers Cities," this label reads.