Why This Ukrainian Milliner Is a Celebrity Favorite

Ruslan Baginskiy discusses his latest collection and what he’s learned since launching the namesake label in 2015.

Spotted on the likes of Bella & Gigi Hadid, Coco Rocha and Elsa Hosk to A-listers such as Madonna, Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus, and Janelle Monae, Ukrainian milliner Ruslan Baginskiy’s hats have graced the heads of some of the world’s most influential beauties. Since launching his namesake label back in 2015, Baginskiy has made a lasting impact on the global street style scene, most famously with the release of his Baker Boy cap. It took just one Instagram post of Bella Hadid wearing the piece that sparked a chain reaction. The youngest Hadid sister has since been spotted numerous times wearing different variations of it on set at photoshoots, in a Bvlgari campaign, and even at one of V Magazine’s legendary dinner parties.

Soon after, the Baker Boy was then seen on Janelle Monae, wearing a custom lacquered red and black version at her Coachella performance early this year to Miley Cyrus rocking the classic cap at her Glastonbury performance this year, to most recently, Alicia Keys wearing a new piece from Baginskiy’s latest collection for the Billboard’s Women in Music Impact Brunch, which took place on Dec. 12 in Los Angeles.

But the initial concept for creating his own headwear brand came to him while Baginskiy was starting out as a stylist, working with Ukrainian designers. “While [doing] this work I always needed some hats to create the look I wanted. That was the moment I decided to make hats. I still remember the first hat I created for the [shoot] and I gifted this hat to a model.” and the rest is history, as they say.

Despite the fanfare, Ruslan remains grateful for all the success that the company has received thus far, but is adamant about diversifying the brand and not sticking to one style. “I never limited myself on [only] making this style”. Since then, a variety of new styles have been introduced to his line and for the winter collection, “I knew that I wanted to create a new statement style. This collection is very different and the main thing to know about RB hats; we can create and design any style.”

As the brand approaches its third year, Baginskiy is planning to release his Fall/Winter 2019 collection and tells us about the inspiration behind it: The supermodel era of the early 2000s.

“Honestly, [I’m] still captured with their beauty and attitude. They were the pure style for us. That’s why the main character of the campaign is the most famous Ukrainian model Snejana Onopka, the embodiment of 2000s fashion and the muse of Steven Meisel.”

As Baginskiy has proven, all it takes is a vision to spark a new classic, stating that the recent collection is a testament to the aesthetic of the company. “This collection is a celebration. Girls will always have [fun] no matter what.”

 

Discover the latest collection of Ruslan Baginskiy below:

 

You can purchase directly at Ruslan Baginskiy  Matchesfashion, Moda Operandi, Farfetch.

Discover More