In a powerful display of resilience and artistry, Ukrainian Fashion Week returned to Kyiv, the country’s capital, for the first time since the full-scale war began in February 2022. The event, which ran for four days, served as a platform to showcase the strength of the Ukrainian fashion industry and to remind the world of the human cost of the ongoing war.
One of the most poignant elements of the week was the participation of war veterans, who walked the runway, modeling designs by Andreas Moskin and Andriy Bilous. These veterans, many of whom had lost limbs in the conflict, embodied the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. “We wanted to show that Ukrainian fashion is adapting to society, for people with amputations who survived the war,” said Bilous. “We are showing that people are unbreakable – without limbs, they can be stylish. They need to be loved, respected, and perceived as an integral part of society.”
The event was not without reminders of the war’s tragic reality. As models moved through the spacious dressing and makeup room, they passed numerous portraits of service members in uniform who are part of the fashion industry, and a display of military uniforms placed at the center of the exhibition. One particularly striking piece was a black jacket designed by Maria Starchak, embroidered with the image of the drama theatre in southern Ukraine, where a large number of civilians were killed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while seeking shelter.
Iryna Danylevska, co-founder and CEO of Ukrainian Fashion Week, emphasized the event’s dual purpose: supporting the local industry and raising awareness of the human cost of war. “We are trying to keep the voice of Ukraine heard constantly in the world,” Danylevska told the Associated Press. “If people are tired of the way politicians sound, tired of pictures where houses are destroyed, where soldiers are wounded, then this new information carries a new message,” she said. “It’s a message that this is a country of talented people who are being destroyed just because they want to be Ukrainians. Shouldn’t we help them?”
Despite the somber backdrop, Ukrainian Fashion Week served as a beacon of hope, showcasing the creativity and determination of a nation facing immense challenges. It reminded the world that the spirit of Ukraine endures, even in the face of war, and that its people are striving to rebuild their lives and their future.
