EXCLUSIVE: Why Volodymyr Zelenskyy Chose a Suit for His White House Visit — Fashion Designer Speaks Out

At the White House, Zelenskyy arrived in a sharply tailored suit, a choice of "special significance," a source exclusively revealed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to appear in a tailored suit during his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on August 18, 2025, was not a matter of chance.

The suit's jacket, with its modern cut, sharp fit, and minimal embellishements emphasized formality and strength. Elena Gasanova, the owner of the fashion brand Gasanova and a designer known for dressing Ukraine's president, exclusively shared the symbolic meaning behind the choice with Amomama:

"The image of President Zelenskyy in a suit is a signal to the world: Ukraine is fighting, yet remains a state with dignity, able to speak with world leaders on equal terms. It was more than just a suit—it was a message of resilience and, at the same time, openness to diplomacy."

She also told Amomama what his choice meant to First Lady Olena Zelenska — both as a wife and fashion influencer:

"For the First Lady, this appearance undoubtedly carried special significance. As a wife, she saw in it strength and support at the most crucial moment. And as a woman with impeccable taste and an influential fashion influencer, I believe she appreciated the symbolic boldness of the look, which balanced between the harsh reality of war and the elegance of the international stage."

Evidence of Zelenskyy's continued collaboration with designers like Gasanova is visible on her social media, where she frequently highlights the symbolism and thought behind the president’s wardrobe choices.

Posts on Instagram, including past designs, reflect her involvement in shaping the president's visual identity as he balances wartime leadership with global diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the fashion expert anticipated that Zelenskyy would set aside his familiar casual style for the Washington summit. The president's recent appearance marks a shift in tone compared to his earlier U.S. visit, when he was criticized for wearing a simple black polo and trousers during an Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The understated outfit sparked debate among journalists and politicians, with some suggesting it clashed with the formality of the White House setting.

This time, however, Zelenskyy's choice of formal attire — designed by Anisimov Menswear — carried diplomatic weight. The suit was first created for Ukraine's Independence Day celebrations last year, and its reappearance on the world stage has been interpreted as a visual statement of unity, formality, and strategic communication.

In Monday's interview with WWD, 61-year-old Anisimov, speaking through a translator, noted that he was already aware of the criticism surrounding Zelenskyy's earlier Oval Office appearance, having followed the coverage on television.

The decision to present a more formal look was not a direct reaction to the earlier controversy. Anisimov explained that work on Zelenskyy's updated wardrobe had begun months before, and despite the events that followed, the president chose to stay the course.

While the two do not discuss the matter in detail, the designer emphasized that the process of refining Zelenskyy's style has continued with the same consistency and purpose.

The Ukrainian designer explained that his recent meeting with Zelenskyy in Kyiv was originally intended to finalize clothing for Independence Day.

He clarified that the suit worn in Washington should not be seen as a sudden decision, as it was part of a collection prepared six months earlier.

Among the options he had designed were both a blue and a black version, created for the annual holiday, including a formal military-inspired jacket with French tailoring details and a vented back.

However, by Friday, Zelenskyy chose to reserve the suit for his upcoming White House visit, even though the trip had not yet been officially confirmed. Until then, the plan had been to debut the outfit on Independence Day, so Anisimov’s team was still making small adjustments. The schedule shifted the very next day, bringing the Washington appearance to the forefront.

Anisimov emphasized that he does not place extra significance on designing a garment for a high-profile occasion, focusing instead on making sure the wearer looks and feels confident.

Nonetheless, his collaboration with Zelenskyy has shaped his creative direction, inspiring a recent collection showcased at Berlin Fashion Week. The full collection is set to be presented at Ukrainian Fashion Week at the Mystetskyi Arsenal in Kyiv on September 5.

By opting for a suit during his recent visit, Zelenskyy adhered to diplomatic protocol while signaling that, despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine continues to stand as a resilient and dignified nation on the world stage.