KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian Fashion Week has made a dramatic comeback, featuring war veterans with prosthetic limbs as runway models.
This marks the first Ukrainian Fashion Week since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022. The standout event on Tuesday in Kyiv showcased these veterans, walking the runway in outfits designed by Andreas Moskin and Andriy Bilous.
As the event unfolded, applause filled the venue. However, news emerged of a devastating Russian missile strike on a military training facility and a nearby hospital in Poltava, located about 350 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Kyiv. The attack resulted in numerous casualties.
Andriy Bilous expressed his intent behind the show: “We aimed to demonstrate that Ukrainian fashion is evolving to include those with amputations who survived the war. It shows that people remain resilient — even without limbs, they can be stylish. They deserve love, respect, and to be seen as a crucial part of society.”
Bilous was pleased to present his collection in Kyiv for the first time in three years. During the conflict, Ukrainian designs had been showcased in fashion capitals like London, Berlin, and Vienna, while the Kyiv event had been on hold.
The show’s backstage area featured poignant reminders of the ongoing war, including portraits of service members in uniform and a display of military uniforms.
Designer Maria Starchak’s black jacket featured an embroidered design of the Mariupol drama theater. The theater, in southern Ukraine, was the site of a 2022 Russian airstrike that killed many civilians sheltering there.
Iryna Danylevska, co-founder and CEO of Ukrainian Fashion Week, emphasized the event’s dual purpose: supporting the local fashion industry and highlighting the human cost of the war.
Danylevska stated, “We aim to keep Ukraine’s voice heard around the world. If people are weary of political rhetoric or images of destruction, this event delivers a fresh message. It’s a testament to a country of talented individuals suffering because of their desire to be Ukrainian. We should support them.”
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