While Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks coincided with horrendous WAR in Ukraine, many designers support Ukrainians with their shows, encouragement and donations.
Staying in Kyiv, we can’t emphasize enough how meaningful this support is. It fortifies the feeling of unity and firm belief of “NO PASARAN” (they shall not pass.)
Giorgio Armani was the first of the few prominent designers to have addressed the nightmare situation in Ukraine on the catwalk. His Milan show proceeded in complete silence.
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The Giorgio Armani Fall Winter 2022-23 Fashion Show
Demna Gvasalia, creative director of Balenciaga, has become the first designer to loudly express the brand and his personal solidarity with Ukraine. Balenciaga issued a statement before the show on Sunday, announcing that they “would open platforms in the next few days to report and relay the information around the situation in Ukraine”. Moreover, Balenciaga donated funds to the World Food Programme.
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Balenciaga FW 2022 RTW © Courtesy of Balenciaga
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Balenciaga 360° Show Winter 22 Collection
Editor-in-chief of London-based magazine 1Granary Olya Kuryshchuk, who is Ukrainian, called in her open letter for “fashion businesses and their leaders to stand together with Ukraine and condemn Russia’s invasion”.
1GRANARY © @1granary
Several fashion designers and luxury conglomerates seem to have heard her appeal.
Global luxury giant Kering (which holds Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent) announced making a “significant donation” to support the refugees fleeing the country in thousands and are now displaced.
JACQUEMUS © @jacquemus
Christian Siriano © @csiriano
Victoria Beckham © @victoriabeckham
MISBHV © @misbhv
Olivier Rousteign © @olivier_rousteing
GANNI © @ganni
JW ANDERSON © @jw_anderson
The Ukrainian fashion designers are in a very vulnerable situation as well as the whole nation of Ukraine is now. But, fears aside, they are using all their international connections to spread awareness about the impact of the Russian invasion.
The only Ukrainian designer attending Paris shows was Lili Litkovskaya. She fled the country when the war broke out with her child but with no team and no collection. She paid tribute to her peers by flying the Ukrainian flag at La Bourse, the part of the Tranoi fashion trade fair, and participating in the Place de la Republique anti-war protests.
Lilia Litkovskaya © ALEXANDRE GALLOSI/COURTESY OF TRANOI
As the tragedy in Ukraine continues to unfold, the Ukrainian fashion community has shared multiple ways to support those most in need.
We strongly believe that where there is the unity of people, there is always hope for peace, love and beauty. And if we have the wherewithal and means to help, we should keep going. NO PASARAN!
L’Officiel Monaco © @lofficielmonaco