Yesterday (February 21), three Ukrainian designers displayed their autumn and winter 2023 collections consecutively at the Old Selfridges Hotel in London for Ukrainian Fashion Week.
KseniaSchnaider, Paskal, and Frolov each presented their unique collections to an applauding audience, including British Fashion Council (BFC) CEO Caroline Rush.
The BFC collaborated with the designers on the fifth day of London Fashion Week after the yearly Ukrainian Fashion Week had to be cancelled due to the Russian invasion. The designers showcased their collections to the sounds of raid sirens, with an audio message explaining that the pieces they were about to see were created to honour Ukraine's resilience and bravery.
The pop duo Bloom Twins, consisting of twin sisters Anna and Sonia Kuprienko, along with other Ukrainian fashion and cultural personalities, were seated in the front row.
The first collection to take the stage was KseniaSchnaider, featuring a variety of patchwork garments created from denim and ties. The designers, Ksenia and Anton Schnaider, established their men's and women's ready-to-wear label in 2011 with a focus on sustainability through reworking and upcycling.
The collection showcased reworked jeans, oversized denim jackets, and flowy dresses with intricate patterns. The most eye-catching item was a white gown adorned with recycled denim pockets.
Next up was Paskal, founded by Ukrainian designer Julie Paskal. The collection featured sheer tops, ruffled dresses, and tailored trousers in soft pastel shades. The most notable item was a beige trench coat with oversized ruffles on the sleeves.
Lastly, Frolov, designed by Ukrainian designer Dima Frolov, presented their collection. The collection featured leather skirts, faux fur coats, and oversized blazers in neutral tones. The most striking item was a black leather jumpsuit with intricate cutouts on the sleeves.
Ukrainian Fashion Week has been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, making it difficult for Ukrainian designers to showcase their work. However, the collaboration with the BFC has provided a platform for Ukrainian designers to display their collections on a global stage. Photo by Philafrenzy, Wikimedia commons.