Team Togs: FC Zenit Saint Petersburg

There is always something beautifully chaotic when I think of modern Russia. Its people, culture, and even style has continuously evolved - and the last 20 years has been spent playing catch up to their Western counterparts who had tackled modernisation in an entirely different manner. While Moscow remain to serve as Russia's stage for the collision of old guards and modern movements - another historically important city also comes to mind: Saint Petersburg. It served as the capital of Imperial Russia for 200 years save for a brief move to Moscow for five years and it has also witnessed three separate revolutions. Dubbed the most beautiful city in Russia, it is her unofficial second capital. 

Like its home city, FC Zenit has a complex history closely associated with the political changes in Saint Petersburg. Football was introduced by the English in Imperial Russia in the late 19th century and many football teams were formed around industrial companies. FC Zenit emerged out of a number of these teams. The team both witnessed and survived the major events that shaped 20th century Russia: the First World War, the Bolshevik Revolution, and the Russian Civil War. With the creation of the Soviet Union, a Soviet football league was created in 1936. During 54 seasons in the Soviet Top League, Zenit has only become champions once in 1984. 

With the collapse of the USSR in 1991, the team became independent and city-owned - and has added collection to their trophy cabinet including two Premier League trophies in 2007 and 2010 and a UEFA Cup in 2008. Taking inspiration from both Russia and the city's history - this look pays tribute to both the past, the present, and the future. With ice blue and white as Zenit's colours - there is a sort of an icy-winter feel in this eclectic look. 

We start with metallic-effect skinny jeans and a grey graphic tee with a design I chose as two contrasting opinions on a single matter: religion. This is a subtle comment on the Russian Orthodox Church and its oppositions during the shaping of modern Russia. We chose a vintage fur shrug to give a slight Dr. Zhivago effect and accessorise with pieces that represent the characteristics of Russia. A handmade statement necklace that illustrates the opulence of Imperial Russia, a star-studded ring that reminds you of the Soviet era, working boots in denim and skull design to represent both the old Russian industry and new trends, and a white leather tote embossed with the domes of traditional Russian orthodox churches. 

Tee, Gosse De Paris, £39

Jeans, Balmain, £1008

Capelet, Birgir Christiansen, £1870

Bag, Chanel (this bag is off of pre-fall '09 season - quite difficult to find)

Necklace, Krista R (off of Boticca), £245

Ring, Zoe and Morgan, £222

Boots, Philipp Plein, £802

Antique Attire: Preston North End, 1888 - 89

It's quite safe to say that some vintage fashion trends have no place in the modern gal's wardrobe - though I would love to argue against it. There have been way too many times where I've tried to imagine a world who still prides in dressing up - beautiful lace gowns to a tea party, stunning three piece suits to fly across the world, fascinators just because. The world we live in today is revolved around functionality and comfort - and those are two words I really despise to associate dressing with. Everyday to me is a chance to play dress up, today I imagine myself as a 60s activist, the next as a 20s socialite. 

This Antique Attire has left me with a rather bitter taste in late Victorian fashion - mainly because I know that I could not pull any of their wear without looking like Miss Havisham. Never mind, I thought - I'd give it a shot for the team's sake. Preston North End. While most modern football fans would disregard them as a Championship side (currently residing in League One after being relegated last season), they cannot be dismissed as they were one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888. 

Here's another little piece of English football history for you: Preston was the first team to ever win the league. They were the most powerful team then - no goals were conceded and no games were lost both in the league and the FA Cup. They won the title again the next season though unfortunately they have not won it again since. With the decision to install the Premier League in 1992 by top twenty clubs who decided to break away - it's hard to think of the Championship as anything but secondary to the PL these days. 

While some may argue that football of those days are nothing like they are today, it is worth noting that playing football was not a profession then, in fact professionalism in football was illegal. Preston themselves were active in hiring Scottish players in exchange for high-paying employment in the Preston area which their rivals argued as professionalism. To avoid teams breaking away from the FA, they were forced to legalise professionalism in 1885 - which shaped the professional footballer we know today.

Back to the lovely late Victorian fashion, I considered this look a tribute to both the era and the team. Preston's mascot is a lamb carrying a crucifix, so there is much emphasis on the sense of spiritual 'purity' and 'brand new' associated with the newly formed Football League. While Preston's traditional colours are black and white - I disregarded an overbearing use of its colours and instead chose grey as that was the colour I first saw the men in - an old late 1880s photograph. 

The beautiful Erdem gown is only one of my favourite pieces - its silhouette is reminiscent of the long gowns ladies wore at those days. We try and keep the accessorising minimal though there was nothing simple about the Victorian ladies. Vintage chandelier earrings, embellished sandals and clutch. Not forgetting the luxurious furs in those days, we chose a platinum coloured lamb fur coat by Azzedine Alaïa and of course lace gloves to complete the look. 

Antique Attire: Arsenal FC, 1925 - 34

As a history student, I'm quite obsessed with anything vintage - not even vintage really, anything old! With so many football teams constantly referring to their long illustrious history - it's only right that we pay tribute to the older generations that has made our team the one we know and love today. Through our Antique Attire series, we try to create a look based on both the fashion of the era and the team at the time through our modern interpretation. It's only appropriate that we start our series with Arsenal FC under one of the most influential managers in the game, Herbert Chapman.

Herbert Chapman spent 9 years in the managerial position at Arsenal, passing from the mid 20s to 30s where Art Deco had swept the world under its style. Forget flappers who has dominated our modern thinking of the era, the outfit chooses to represent the industrial yet elegant aesthetic of Art Deco instead. Moving away from the Bright Young People debauchery of the 20s to a more conservative 30s style - the look focuses on glamour that goes hand in hand with functionality.

Herbert Chapman is the man responsible for Arsenal's iconic white sleeves that continues to be used today. He also invented the hoop socks which the modern Arsenal under Wenger sported in the 2007/2008 season's away kit. Coming back to the invention of the white sleeves, this Roland Mouret dress was chosen to highlight just that - with white floral appliqué that compliments the beautiful Arsenal red just as the white sleeves does. The clean gold lines on the suede sandals is a take on the hoop socks.

Fur, while controversial today is certainly not a hard pill to swallow in those days. While an animal lover myself, I find that vintage fur is something to be appreciated (with a lot of other vegetarians such as myself agreeing!). Therefore, a vintage Versace mink coat is added as a needed dose of Old Hollywood glamour to the outfit. The accessories are simply Deco to the touch. The clutch is a clam shell Lanvin number which serves as a reminder to furnitures and lighting of the era that used the same design. We also add a tough yet elegant precious stone ring, a heavy necklace to adorn an empty neckline, suede sandals with gold lining and of course - no vintage inspired attire is complete without gloves.