“Zelenskyy Hasn’t Worn a Suit in Three Years Out of Respect for the War,” German Designer Frank Wilde on Fashion Symbolism

Frank Peter Wilde is a Berlin-based stylist, designer, and human rights activist known for his innovative approach to fashion and communication. Beyond his high-profile advocacy for Ukraine, Wilde has built a career blending personal styling, artistic direction, and public relations, working with designers and brands to shape visual narratives. His signature “elevator selfies” began as a personal project but evolved into a platform for political and social commentary. His work in fashion reflects a deep understanding of symbolism, identity, and activism.

Would you say that fashion, as an art form, is always rooted in symbolism and metaphor rather than just surface-level aesthetics?

It’s symbolism, yes. I’ve always said that. For Zelenskyy, it’s very important to show “My country is at war” and to express solidarity with all the volunteers, medics, and soldiers defending Ukraine.

This is how fashion works, we all know that. People who say “I don’t care about fashion,” are either lying or they’re ignorant and don’t take fashion seriously. Fashion is the first way to communicate with people in a non-lingual way. It can never be underestimated.

You are lying to yourself if you say, “It doesn’t matter what you wear.” It does. It sends a message. Whether you like it or not, people relate to others and make judgments based on fashion. It’s a form of communication.

People who say “I don’t care about fashion” are either lying or they’re ignorant and don’t take fashion seriously.

Frank Wilde

Stylist and human rights activist.

Do you think President Zelenskyy’s all-black outfit with the embossed trident was his attempt to be as formal as possible within his established dress code over the past three years, or was it something else?

It was totally in line with everything he’s been wearing for the past three years and is actually very conceptual. He probably has a massive wardrobe of these army-style looks—combat boots, sneakers, military boots. It’s an image thing.

But the entire discussion about Zelenskyy’s wardrobe distracts from the actual importance of the meeting.

US President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Why do you think people are making such a big deal about Zelenskyy not wearing a suit?

I think the thing with the suit is because the US administration wanted this mineral deal signed. If Zelenskyy had worn a suit, it would have been a drastic statement—a visual sign that “we have a deal.”

If Zelenskyy had worn a suit, it would have been a drastic statement—a visual sign that “we have a deal.”

Frank Wilde

Stylist and human rights activist.

What’s your reaction to the comments Perry Taylor Greene, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s husband, made during the press conference about President Zelenskyy’s outfit?

First, was that question from Greene even appropriate? Because if you’re a halfway decent journalist and reporter, then you know that since the start of the full-scale invasion, President Zelenskyy traded his fancy suits for military clothing — a symbol of solidarity with his country and the people defending it against Russian aggression.

This is a fact. If you ignore that as a media professional, it means you are either completely ignorant or deliberately trying to insult, confuse, or humiliate someone on a global stage.

At a time when existential questions need to be addressed, turning the moment into a cheap spectacle is distasteful. That’s how I see it. And I think anyone with a clear conscience would agree.

For Zelenskyy, it’s very important to show “My country is at war” and to express solidarity with all the volunteers, medics, and soldiers defending Ukraine.

Frank Wilde

Stylist and human rights activist.

Is wearing a suit necessary to show respect?

I do think clothes are a form of respect. Zelenskyy hasn’t worn a suit in three years out of respect for the war. Nobody cared about his fashion choices before, and now suddenly, people act as if it’s disrespectful? It’s totally absurd—very old school.

Churchill didn’t always wear suits during World War II, setting a precedent for Zelenskyy’s wardrobe choice. Can you think of other similar examples?

Well, in politics—and maybe this isn’t the best example—but when presidents from Asian or African countries visit, they don’t always wear suits. They wear traditional attire.

The same applies to Muslim-majority countries. Not every leader wears a suit. There are countless photographs of African presidents in long traditional garments with intricate patterns.

There’s no universal rule that a suit is required.

We all know the famous photos of Zelenskyy meeting Biden in the Oval Office—he never wore a suit. If we had seen both presidents shaking hands in suits, it would have completely shifted the visual narrative, sending a very different message to the world.