Yellow dress in Japan, black suit in the Vatican and other Olena Zelenska's looks that received backlash. Photo

The style of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska is a balance on the verge of classic and modern. Elegant, with a restrained cut and color palette. Stylists and etiquette experts think through each of her looks to the smallest detail! First, they are the means through which the First Lady communicates with the world. For example, through "eloquent" brooches in the form of a map of Ukraine, a dove, a rooster from Borodianka, etc. Secondly, she has to adhere to protocol requirements in order not to get into a fashion embarrassment.

In this OBOZ.UA article, we have prepared a selection of Olena Zelenska's outfits that were most often criticized online. Find out why they can't be considered "mistakes." Here is the context.

1. Sneakers instead of pumps

In 2021, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska paid a working visit to Paris. At the time, Instagram followers criticized the guarantor's wife for wearing sneakers to the Palace of Versailles. The "experts" were outraged that she could not wear classic pumps to an official meeting. The truth is that you cannot enter Versailles in high-heeled shoes. Otherwise, you can damage the parquet. In addition, sneakers together with a suit are a common practice for European politicians who prefer comfort.

Olena Zelenska responded to critics in an interview with a Ukrainian publication, "The Veja sneakers were our curtsy to the French side - and they noticed it, it was very nice. Veja is a democratic brand based on sustainability and conscious consumption. I think I did the right thing by choosing it." She added that she had been recommended to wear the sneakers to the Palace of Versailles by official Paris.

2. Yellow dress in Japan is bad manners?

In 2019, during the Zelenskyy's trip to Japan to attend the inauguration of the emperor, the First Lady wore a pale lemon-colored dress from the Ukrainian brand Frolov. At the time, users on her Facebook and Instagram pages wrote that the yellow dress would make Ukraine's relations with Japan worse, and reminded her that according to ancient tradition, this color can only be worn by members of the imperial family. There is a nuance to the latter: this rule was in effect in the eighth century, during the existence of the "rule of law," which today has no legal status.

After a flurry of criticism, the First Lady of Ukraine decided to donate the dress as a lot for the Tabletochki Giving Tuesday Dinner charity gala. Later, Roman Tymofieiev, former editor of Elle fashion magazine, shared an interesting fact on YouTube, "The scandal was so powerful that even representatives of diplomatic missions had to comment on it. They said that only one shade of yellow is the official color of the emperor's family in Japan (gardenia jasminoides or yellow-red - Ed.), and that this ancient tradition is no longer in effect. The Japanese can wear yellow". He added that on the second day of her stay in Japan, Olena Zelenska chose a dress in pale blue, "It became clear what the idea was. The two looks together are the flag of Ukraine."

3. Strict "men's" suit

In 2019, during a visit to Japan, Olena Zelenska visited Kogai Elementary School. She wore a black straight-cut suit, which she complemented with a bright scarf, a black clutch bag with gold chains, and pumps. Many Instagram users praised the First Lady's outfit, although there were those who did not like it. The main reason for the latter's indignation is why Olena Zelenska chose a rough oversized outfit that was allegedly "taken off a man" rather than a "more feminine" style or, for example, an elegant dress.

It is worth noting that the guarantor's wife is often criticized for her preference for strict suits. This decision was commented on by the personal stylist of the First Lady and founder of the Gunia Project brand, Natalia Kamenska, "Dresses are great, but I think a suit is a better way to convey the state of a Ukrainian woman. It is a symbol that we are focused, strong and always ready. And a trouser suit with a men's cut is even more confident... This is a message to the world: Ukraine is fighting."

4. Black outfit in the Vatican

One of the most scandalous looks of the first lady was during a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican in 2020. Instagram users wrote negative comments because she wore all black, "You need to change your stylist urgently", "Did your hamster die?", "Is there a funeral" and so on.

Was it really a fashion mistake on the part of the First Lady's stylists? According to Roman Tymofieiev, all women who meet with the Pope should wear dark colors, "According to Vatican history, they are mourning the loss of the secular power of the Popes. Once upon a time, the Pope was not only the head of the church, but at the level of kings... Women can visit the Pope in white if they are either queens of Catholic countries, wives of kings of Catholic countries, or widows of kings of Catholic countries."

5. Embroidered shirt inspired by Russian sundress

In 2020, on Vyshyvanka Day, the Ukrainian embroidery company ETNODIM posted a photo of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olena Zelenska posing in branded products on its official page. The photo caused a flurry of negative comments from Facebook users. The fact is that the First Lady was wearing a shirt that reminded Ukrainians of a Russian sundress, "What is this? On this day to display a Russian sundress", "The Kokoshnik is really missing", "The sleeves of the Ukrainian embroidery were borrowed from the Saratov sundress", etc.

Representatives of the brand explained in the comments under the post that the cut of Olena Zelenska's shirt was not inspired by the Russian sundress, "You can follow the link at the end of the post and take a closer look at the embroidery. It does not resemble the sarafan at all." The website also states that the Media Night embroidered shirt is part of the modern collection "I z kino" (I am from movies). "Our everyday life is gradually turning into a cinematic picture of life. The style of young people is reminiscent of French movie characters or actors in bold arthouse films. That's why each model in the new collection represents a new genre of film," the authors of the project said.

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