Ukrainian Fashion Week to return to Kyiv for the first time since the Russian invasion | CNN

CNN
–

The organizers of the Ukrainian Fashion Week announced the time of the 55th event in September which will take place in Kyiv – the first time since Russia invaded the country on March 24, 2022.

There are about 50 types of models that are intended to be displayed in different types of transport, from traditional transport to institutions, exhibitions and performances. Many events will take place at Mystetskyi Arsenal – the Museum of Ukrainian art and culture – as a procession of designers and models will walk through the city in a “symbolic show of unity,” according to a press release.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of neighboring Ukraine nearly three years ago, more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died. With Russian forces suffering even greater losses (earlier this month, the UK Ministry of Defense said more than 70,000 soldiers were killed or injured in May and June 2024 alone), officials In Moscow they offer signing bonuses of up to $22,000 to attract new ones. recruit to fight.

“We still have a war in the whole country, and we feel the war in the whole country,” Lisa Ushcheka, head of international communications for the Ukrainian Fashion Week, told CNN by video call. “Because of missile fire, blackouts and power outages. There are places that (have) very hard shells, places that suffer. We are used to it, and we have to live in this reality of war. It is our new reality. ”

Security measures will be in place for all events. For example, Mystetskyi Arsenal, where many demonstrations will take place, has bomb shelters. “As soon as we hear the air raid siren, all guests will be asked to move to the bomb shelter,” Ushcheka said.

A spokesperson for the public relations team working on the event said that despite this, “local media, industry talent and influencers” are expected to attend. However, the international fashion pack may find it more of a challenge, with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advising against all travel to most of Ukraine, including Kyiv ; and the United States Department of State lists the country as “Level 4” – the highest on its travel advisory scale – warning citizens not to travel because of the armed conflict.

Organizers have been discussing the possibility of returning to Kyiv for the past six months, said Ushcheka, who hopes the conflict will not escalate. He told CNN, “If the war escalates, and something unexpected happens, because every day the situation changes, of course, in the worst case scenario we can cancel.” Ivan Frolov, a Kyiv-born fashion designer scheduled to show at the September show, added that Ukraine’s spirit has become more flexible despite the challenges. Since the start of the war, we have not only plan B, but plan C, G, and even Z.

“But life does not stand still,” said Ushcheka.

It will be the first time Ukrainian designers will have shown their collections on home soil since the start of the war. In the past three seasons, Berlin, London and Copenhagen have offered runways in their fashion weeks specifically for Ukrainian designers who have fled the country. In January 2023, Frolov presented his Fall-Winter 2023 collection at a group show together with names Ksenia Schnaider and Paskal London. “We really appreciated the opportunity,” he said of Zoom. “For me, that demonstration was not just about reaching out and saying, ‘Please help us. We need your help.’ It was about us saying ‘We are very strong. We are very talented. We are like you. We’re here.’”

Each participating brand has agreed to make a donation to support the new health care center in the city, funds that will be used to purchase special medical equipment to help those with serious and incurable injuries . Guests will also have the opportunity to donate throughout the event. “We hope it will be an inspiration for the whole world,” said Ushcheka. “Because it is a historical event, a fashion week that takes place in a country where there is a war.”

For Frolov, the prospect of making a show back in Kyiv is emotionally draining. “I’m glad my sunglasses are black,” he said, from behind the dark sunglasses. “Because my eyes are watering right now. I love Kyiv very much. I was born in Kyiv and Kyiv is everything to me. With the support of the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Economy I can travel and visit other countries, but I cannot leave the country for more than one month, because I feel sick without Kyiv. I feel empty without Kyiv. It is my country, it is my soul. ”

“This September, I want to re-enter Kyiv as one of the biggest fashion cities in the world.”