Ukraine, stylists and designers now work for the army

The creativity and work of Ukrainian stylists in the service of the army. After Russia invades the country, instead of shoes and clothes, fashion professionals are making it camouflage uniforms, amphibians for combat and tactical vests.

The newspaper reported it Kyiv Independentwho spoke to some of them. The stylist Serge Smolinthan with his Idol brand made men’s suits, now supplies camouflage suits to the army. He fled from Kiev and joined his parents, who live in western Ukraine, and soon after he contacted the nearest military checkpoint and asked how he could help. When he learned that uniforms were needed, he went looking for the material and got on at work – in the local school gym – with his new team: his family and the artist and designer Serge Payet. “Now we joke that we are making macramé garments for our new collection,” the designer told Kyiv Independent.

The Nebesite and Frolov brands they’re making bulletproof vests. Nebesite, which produced outerwear, found a manufacturer of metal plates for vests bulletproof and designed a simplified version of the vests. He provided the first 250 for free. Since the prices of materials have risen since the beginning of the conflict, it now costs about $ 190 to make one of these vests: Frolov, through his platform, raises funds. He wants to find the money to buy steel for vests in Europe, as it has become increasingly difficult to find it in Ukraine.

Kachorovska, a Ukrainian brand that produced fashionable footwear, is now focusing on combat boots. Maria Slenzak, brand manager, explained that the company is collaborating with three different factories, which they supply materials for the production of amphibians for the armed forces. The first 500 pairs were sewn by Kachorovska with its own funds. Then the company asked for the support of the public, who sent their donations for the construction of the following lots.

“All pairs have been sewn under the threat of air strikes, under bombingSlenzak explained to the Ukrainian newspaper. “It took a certain amount of courage on the part of our team to work in such conditions.” But the feedback from the soldiers is enough to keep the team’s morale up.

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