Ukrainian Fashion Parades in War: Fashion Week Returns to Kiev as a Symbol of “Creative Resistance”

The war continues, but Ukrainian Fashion Week is back in Kiev. It was the morning of February 24, 2022 when Italy woke up to the news of the Russian invasion. In Milan, that day, there was fashion week. Drawing on memories, even the soundtrack of the Prada show seemed to want to emphasize that deafening oxymoron like a piece of chalk screeching on a blackboard: we were actually marching when the war in Ukraine was starting?

Who knows, maybe the co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons also tried to implicitly answer this question. After all, the track chosen for their show was Leave in Silence by Depeche Mode, and never were words more appropriate for that moment: If I only had a potion, some magical lotion that could stop this, I would stop this (“If only I had a potion, some magic lotion to stop this, I would stop it.”)

Almost three years after that day, much has been said in fashion about how to continue supporting Ukrainian designers. Their resistance is a silent sowing, in the name of a creativity that is good for the heart and an entrepreneurial vision that benefits the country’s economy. It is the same resistance with which, despite a war underway, in Kiev Ukrainian Fashion Week is backThe kermesse is started on September 1stspreading out into a total of four days of fashion shows, presentations and installations involving over 50 brands and brought the attention of industry professionals to the new fashion collections Spring-Summer 2025. Let’s recap how it went, from the First Lady’s support Olena Zelensky to the recovery of the fashion system in the country, through charitable initiatives and the challenges imposed by the war climate.

International and First Lady support

Ukrainian Fashion Week was made possible by the initiative Support Ukrainian Fashionwhich called upon the fashion weeks of London, Copenhagen and Berlin so that the event could be realized with their support. No less important was the appeal of First Lady Olena Zelenskajoined by the official video message in which Ukrainian designers Lilia Litkovska and Ivan Frolov also lent their voices. “Ukrainian designers continue to create, preserving jobs, telling the world about Ukraine with their creative language, willpower and resilience,” said Olena Zelenska. “This means only one thing: the industry is developing, therefore life continues to prevail right here, right now. We are grateful to everyone who supports us on this journey.”

The challenges of war

The story about the general mood comes to us directly from the place: «It was exciting, we felt immense support not only from the insiders but also from the Ukrainian people: the return of the UFW to Kiev is a source of inspiration for everyone», he tells us Iryna Danylevska, CEO and Founder of Ukrainian Fashion Week.

There was no lack of tension, due to the enormous sense of responsibility: «In this edition, the challenges are derived from war, such as alerts and air raids.. In the event of air raid sirens, we would have been ready to interrupt parades and presentations, inviting guests to go down to shelters. In addition, we had to ensure the high standard that the UFW has always maintained for twenty-seven years. We do not allow ourselves to do anything less than what we have always done.”

The finale of the Kseniaschnaider x Adidas Originals fashion show held during UFW.

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All conditions that have never broken the Ukrainian spirit. «We have learned that Ukrainian designers have an indestructible spirit – continues Iryna Danylevska. – Despite the air raid sirens and missile attacks, they continue to create, embodying what we call “Creative Resistance”. They instill hope in the midst of war».

Backstage at the fashion show of Ukrainian brand Sidletskiy.

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On the side of the veterans

While the Ukrainian fashion system is slowly coming back into the spotlight to contribute to the nation’s economy, the focus remains on those on the war front. All participants in the UFW fashion shows were called to contribute to fundraising to purchase equipment for the Veterans Affairs Palliative Care Unit at the Svyatenko Rehabilitation Clinic in the village of Cybli, Kiev. Donations were made possible through a QR code made available at the fashion show venues.

The recovery of industry

Meanwhile, the gradual resumption of production also continues. «Many brands have had to relocate their production completely or partially due to the war – explains Lisa Ushcheka, head of the communications department at UFW. – The impact of the Russian invasion in 2022 has been severe. Most brands have seen a substantial drop in sales: workers have had to move abroad, supply chains of resources and shipments have been interrupted. Offices and studios, especially in eastern Ukraine, were destroyed».

A look from the COAT by Katya Silchenko fashion show.

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Resilience remains the key word: “Ukrainian designers continue to create and grow despite the devastation caused by the Russian invasion. With this 55th edition of the Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev, we support the fashion industry and also send a powerful message of resilience, hope and creativity.” Slava Ukrainians!