According to Anisimov, the idea to change the style of the Ukrainian president arose in early 2025 and belongs to the first lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenskaya. The designer emphasized that Zelensky had not planned to change anything for a long time, since he was focused not on clothes, but on work.
Anisimov admitted that it was he who had to convince the President of Ukraine of the need to change his style. At the same time, Zelensky’s clothes should be comfortable, relevant to the situation, and the president should look more formal.
The designer said that he “received these requirements in January” and began work – the new models were supposed to be ready by mid-March, but at the end of February, during Zelensky’s visit to the White House for a meeting with American President Donald Trump, a scandal broke out. The reason for Trump's dissatisfaction was Zelensky's military style.
Anisimov emphasized that the events in the Oval Office of the White House did not become a reason for changing Zelensky’s image – the changes had already been planned, and the process had been launched.
