Si vestiva come Zelenskyj

All in black: Mourning Giorgio Armani

**President Alexander Stubb marked his loyalty to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when they both arrived in Paris in similar clothes.**

**”It shows how fashion can carry political messages in a world characterized by uncertainty and power struggles,” says fashion expert Maria Mackinney.**

When President Alexander Stubb stepped out of the plane in Paris remarkably dressed in the same way as his travel companion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, it was hardly a coincidence.

“President Stubb shows where his loyalty lies,” comments Maria Mackinney, assistant professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen.

The two presidents were on their way to an important meeting in Paris that dealt with support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

**Against this background, the choice of** clothing is probably a conscious move. Both knew that the images would be cabled out around the world and reach President Trump in the West and President Putin in the East.

There is little doubt about what Stubb’s message is: He stands by Zelenskyj’s side, says the Swedish design theorist and author Linda Rampell.

Alexander Stubb, dressed in “the street uniform”, as Maria Mackinney describes it.

The fact that Stubb chooses to do so now is also interesting considering that Zelensky’s choice of clothing has sparked a lot of discussion, Rampell believes.

“Zelenskyy has said several times that he is dressing for a country at war. His black version of military suit gives him a more formal dimension. President Stubb mirrors him by not wearing a suit either, but is loyally dressed in the street’s uniform with sneakers and a black T-shirt.

**Rampell sees it** all as visual communication rather than fashion.

“Fashion news can be included in it as an element. Politicians seem to spend more time on their external affairs these days, well aware that images carry meaning.

She adds:

“The difference between being well-dressed, incorrectly dressed, dressed up and dressed up can be very fine,” says Rampell.

**Credibility is at stake.** Maria Mackinney believes that Stubb has so far navigated skillfully.

“Stubb balances between traditional values and a more modern style. With that, he wants to show that he is competent as a leader, but also modern and accessible.

Alexander Stubb – in a suit – met Emmanuel Macron later on Thursday. Photo: Poitout Florian/TT

She draws parallels to US presidents John F Kennedy and Barack Obama.

“When JFK was inaugurated, it was common for men to wear hats, but you can see in old films how the president-elect alternately wore the hat, sometimes took it off at the inauguration ceremony.

It foreshadowed the time of change that was to come.

“Obama had a similarly ambivalent relationship with ties. On or off? On the one hand, he wanted to be seen as a serious leader, on the other hand, he was a new type of leader.

BASED!

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