Ukrainian fashion brand Milla Nova, known for its decadent wedding dresses, is now producing clothes for the country’s soldiers and medical workers as Russia continues to launch its brutal assault on the country.
Stocked in bridal boutiques in 50 countries including the US, UK, France and China, Milla Nova employees have been working tirelessly for the past two weeks to fulfill international dress orders as well as manufacture these additional garments.
“In addition to making brides around the world happy, we are focused on saving our country,” said company CEO Ulyana Kyrychuk, who is strongly determined to continue sustaining the business despite the many serious challenges of the war.
Photos of Milla Nova shared with CNN show women knitting military hammocks and seamstresses sewing fleece sweatshirts and assault vests in traditional army camouflage.
Working with its network of suppliers, the brand was able to quickly obtain the materials needed for production. Kyrychuk told CNN that they’ve already made 1,500 items.
Kyrychuk said she started putting a series of plans into place before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is focused on supporting her team, explaining that every decision she makes is “with the people in mind”.
Many employees are making long journeys through Lviv, where the company is based, to get to the factories – working overtime to help make the clothes to support Ukraine’s defense efforts, in addition to their regular duties. Kyrychuk confirmed that all employees were paid in February and his management team is working “round the clock to organize the business processes and pay our people”.
“My main objective as CEO is to protect people and secure their tomorrow,” she said, adding that they are also ready to accept new employees from eastern Ukraine who have recently become refugees.
Milla Nova currently employs 600 workers. Those based in Lviv had the option of going to neighboring Poland, where a makeshift workshop was set up in Warsaw after the invasion. So far, 70 employees have been evacuated to the Polish capital. About 450 employees remain in Lviv, while others have made their own plans to flee to the countryside or out of Ukraine. With a workforce of 98% women, many of whom are mothers, relocation by the company involved many young children.
Seamstresses in Poland are sewing special edition Ukraine-themed dresses in yellow and blue, and some of their children have become involved in making these dresses as a way to boost morale. Kyrychuk said the plan is to sell them as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to raise charity funds for Ukraine. She hopes they can eventually shift their efforts from army needs to rebuilding destroyed cities.
Kyrychuk said she was “so proud” of her team and their “incredible dedication and loyalty”, pointing to the important role women in war must care for and protect, “pray and believe”.
Source: CNN Brasil
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