London Fashion Week spotlights resilience of Ukrainian designers
Three of Ukraine’s most prominent designers have shown their latest collections on the final day of London Fashion Week (LFW).
Kseniaschnaider, Paskal, and Frolov made their LFW debut at the Old Selfridges Hotel, as Ukrainian Fashion Week has been cancelled due to the war.
At the beginning of the show, a voice on the speakers said: “These collections are and will continue to be a piece of history, symbolic of the resilience and courage of Ukraine and its people.”
It came at a poignant time, just after Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a state-of-the-nation address, and days before the war’s first anniversary on Friday.
On each seat was a description of each designer’s collection, a Ukrainian flag and a QR code for UNITED24 – the official fundraising platform of Ukraine.
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Kseniaschnaider – founded by husband and wife team Ksenia and Anton Schnaider – opened the show.
The brand is known for its use of denim and commitment to sustainability.
The show notes said the collection was “designed during the war and produced under raid sirens in Ukraine”.
Despite the circumstances, it was infused “with an air of hope and positivity”.
Denim ran throughout the collection, in edgy pairs of jeans and cut-offs. There were also plenty of sporty elements, including a tailored tracksuit and Adidas trainers.
It was given a distinctly Ukrainian feel with the addition of traditional patchworking techniques and models with braids in their hair.
Deadstock ties were used throughout the collection, patchworked into blazers and skirts.
According to the show notes, this was a symbol