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The Times (UK)
January 21, 2002
Russian envoys given tsarist look
FROM MICHAEL BINYON IN MOSCOW
AT A TIME when Britain is desperately trying to throw off the colonial image of the plumed hat and ceremonial sword, Russia is preparing to dress its diplomats in tsarist splendour.
Embracing the old customs with post-communist vigour, the Russian Foreign Ministry has ordered all its top ambassadors and envoys to report to their tailors to be fitted out for the new ceremonial diplomatic uniform. Those going abroad will be asked to go for a fitting before taking up their posts; those already serving overseas must see a tailor when they are on home leave.
The new ceremonial dress is an elaborate affair. Male diplomats will wear black woollen double-breasted jackets with gilded embroidery on the collars and cuffs, black woollen trousers, a white shirt, a grey tie, black silk socks and black low shoes with a leather sole.
They will have a black woollen cap with a peak, an emblem on the cap-band, and gilded lace and green edging on the crown. Each senior diplomat will be given kid gloves. For those posted to hot countries, a tropical version has been designed in a light sandy colour.
Diplomatic rank will be denoted by buttonholes; senior ambassadors will boast a green rectangle with gilded band and embroidery, and their buttons will have a gilded emblem of the double-headed eagle with two crossed palm leaves above it.
The entire cost will be borne by the state, though the uniforms will spend most of their time in wardrobes and appear only on formal occasions and the presentation of credentials.
Day-to-day business will be conducted, as usual, in business suits.
Officials gave no reason for the change in uniform, but it is believed that the move is an attempt by Russia to cast off its dreary image.
The Kremlin guard, the grey-coated police who guard the gates and patrol its walls, are also to have a makeover, the first since 1939. Instead of the long grey military coats and heavy epaulettes, they will be dressed in green, with smaller epaulettes but plenty of gold brocade.
Last week Russia unveiled the theme of its Winter Olympic uniform — a throwback to the style of Chaliapin, the prewar opera singer famous for his double-breasted coats with heavy collars. The uniforms, designed in Italy, will come with tall fur hats.
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