IF LOOKS COULD KILL...

by Pierre Baltadano

via The Times
Russia’s military forces just received a technological upgrade - not through weapons or armory but through the use of fashion (fabrics can be technology right?). Acollection of new military uniforms was shown to President Putin by Valentin Yudashkin, a famous clothing Russian designer, at a fashion parade at the Defense Ministry headquarters.

Wearing fur collars, peaked caps and gold embroidered tunics, the servicemen and women stood at attention as the Commander-in-Chief, Vladimir Putin examined the new looks yesterday and, was later said to have approved them for implementation.

The uniforms will get their first public unveiling in Red Square on May 9 in a parade marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the WWII. In addition, President Putin will also reviving the Soviet-era practice of parading tanks and nuclear missiles as the parade moves past Lenin’s tomb. The uniform designs have been said to be an amalgam of past and present Soviet society, so the environment of their unveiling fits in perfectly with this.

The defense ministry spent around $2.9 million to commission the designs of new uniforms for their armed forces. Full-scale production is expected to begin later for an estimated $443 million.

I think that the updated looks are a good attempt at infusing fashion into the utilitarian usage of a military uniform but could the money be used for the better or is portraying the image of power and wealth worth it?