Kyiv Fashion Week: a display of resilience amid war
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In Kyiv, Ukraine, designers and artists held Fashion Week while under the threat of Russian air attacks.
The event, which began in early September, took place in the Mystetskijarsenal, a historic art hall previously damaged by a Russian drone strike. During a show, air raid sirens sounded, sending some attendees and exhibitors to an underground shelter while Ukrainian air defenses engaged incoming threats.
The fashion week serves as a platform for Ukrainian designers to express their national identity and preserve traditional crafts. Maria Gavryliuk and Natalia Kamenska of the Gunia project collaborate with artists using techniques like embroidery and weaving, showcasing both their work and the tools, some over a century old, they use. They aim to highlight the stories of Ukrainian artists working through the war and maintain their cultural heritage.
Designers are using the event to differentiate Ukrainian culture from Russian influence, emphasizing their roots in the face of attempts at cultural erasure. The runway featured veterans of the war as models, some with visible injuries or military symbols, and each show began with a moment of silence to honor those killed in the conflict. Ukraine Fashion Week has been held annually since 1997, but the current event has seen a significant decrease in international attendees.
