In the midst of conflict, what role does clothes play? Amidst the current crisis, Ukrainian Fashion Week (UFW) took place from September 1 to September 4, with the aim of providing a response to this topic. This event marked over 50 local designers' first visit to Kyiv after the Russian invasion and the start of the war in 2022; many of them had taken sanctuary in fashion cities such as London, Paris, Copenhagen, and Berlin, reported Fashion United.
Their collections, which exuded optimism and resiliency, were presented in a variety of ways, including as runway displays, presentations, installations, and live performances.
Iryna Danylevska, the founder and CEO of Ukrainian Fashion Week, stated, "The voice of Ukraine must be heard." Despite the clear and constant danger, Danylevska has continuously emphasized the value of the Ukrainian fashion sector and the symbolic importance of physically returning to Kyiv. On September 4, the last day of UFW, this reality was brought home to a sharp contrast when the Ukrainian military stopped a fresh wave of Russian attacks aimed at Kyiv and Lviv.
"The conflict is still ongoing. However, we are engaged in a conflict and strive for victory. Danylevska declared, "We work for the present and the future," at the start of Fashion Week. The opening manifesto was held on the steps of the Ukrainian House cultural center and was seen as a joint statement to the international community by more than fifty representatives of the Ukrainian fashion industry.
It was meant to represent the solidarity of the fashion industry, the solidarity of Ukrainians, and the nation's dedication to the principles of freedom and hope for the future. Prominent designers like Lilia Litkovska, Ksenia Schnaider, and Ivan Frolov carried placards that read, "We create hope despite the war" and "Courageous to create the future."