Svitlana Bevza’s latest collection, aptly titled ‘Dew in the Sun,’ is like a breath of fresh air, a beacon of hope in the face of adversity. The collection, inspired by the resilience of her home country, Ukraine, reflects the beauty of nature’s renewal, much like the dew drops glistening after a rainstorm.
Bevza explained that the collection’s title is not just a beautiful image, but also a powerful phrase from the Ukrainian national anthem. The words, “our enemies shall vanish, like dew in the sun,” carry a message of enduring hope. This message is woven into the collection’s design, creating pieces that are both elegant and symbolic.
The collection features a subtle departure from Bevza’s signature neutral color palette. While her designs are known for their understated elegance, this season, she introduces hints of sparkle and shine. A strapless black taffeta gown, shaped like a dewdrop, is adorned with tiny crystal teardrops, evoking the gentle drizzle on leaves.
No Bevza collection would be complete without a nod to the importance of wheat, a vital crop for Ukraine. Gold, wheat-shaped ornaments adorn the collection in the form of belt buckles, necklaces, and tie pins. Her signature black corset features the wheat motif, alternating between shimmering gold and a darker black, a subtle nod to Ukraine’s history. Bevza poignantly explains, “The intention with the mixed metal was to refer back to 2022. The bombs destroyed the fields of wheat, and that’s how the burned spikes looked.”
This season, Bevza chose to forgo a traditional runway show in New York, instead opting for a more intimate experience. Storytelling is a central aspect of Bevza’s design process, and this season, she wants the public to experience the story firsthand. “I try to find optimistic notes in what I’m doing. And Bevza’s storytelling keeps me in perfect shape, even in dark times,” she said. Starting tomorrow, the Ukrainian Institute of America will host an exhibition, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in this poignant chapter of Bevza’s life and creative journey.
