Sub-Zero Cool

Post-Soviet fashion is going beyond its imperial diamonds-and-mink legacy. There’s plenty to choose from on the mean streets of moscow.
 

- Aparna Pednekar

A tall glass of water in a single-breasted jacket and grey drainpipe trousers examines a freshly-painted wooden matryoshka doll shell. Beside him, a group of hipsters finger the delicate Orenburg lace decorating the czarina figurines on display. We’re inside the neoclassical Central Manezh building in Moscow, right next to the Red Square. It’s day two of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.