PASKAL
PASKAL brand initially born in Odesa climbed so high as to being featured during Paris Fashion Week and represented in numerous stores across the globe including Galeries Lafayette, Colette and Harvey Nichols. PASKAL is a creation of designer Yulia Paskal, famous for sleek geometrical shapes. This isn't surprising giving that Yulia studied architecture earlier in her life.
Clothes by PASKAL can also be easily recognized by pastel and delicate color palette and just as delicate materials. Nowadays PASKAL is regularly featured in the programs of UFW, London Fashion Week and Odesa Fashion Week.
Where to buy: more than 50 spots across the world. In Ukraine, the brand is represented in Atelier1 in Kyiv
Alexandr Gapchuk
Designer Alekxandr Gapchuk was born in Odesa and soon moved across the country to satisfy his ambitions in the capital. He studied at the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design and during his studies he started to make his first steps in the fashion world. Alekxandr also designed costumes for ballet shows. His first own collection soon sparked the creation of Alexandr Gapchuk brand in 2002.
During his career, Alexandr took part in more than 25 seasons of Ukrainian Fashion Week. Nowadays the brand is focused on sleek and tailored clothes for men from basic suits and shirts to wedding suits. Alexandr Gapchuk lives and works in Kyiv, boasting the certificate of acknowledgment from the city's mayor.
Where to buy: individual tailoring in Kyiv
L.A.P.T.I.
L.A.P.T.I. is by far the most well-known Ukrainian shoe brand. The manufacturing is based in Odesa, and according to the owners, the city inspires the designers with its Southern charm. Each pair of shoes is hand-made from the high-quality materials: the brand’s designers carefully choose all textiles from leather to lace in Italy.
L.A.P.T.I. is famous for its often collaborations with Ukrainian designers like Poustovit and WeAnnaBe, or incorporation of Ukrainian-style elements like paintings by Maria Prymachenko in its products. The brand offers three types of sportswear: sneakers suitable for casual style, sneakers that are exclusively sportswear, and slipons. L.A.P.T.I. keeps up with the latest trends, so it’s not hard to find a timely stylish pair.
Where to buy: online store, numerous stores in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro and Kharkiv
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Nimble Scissors
Odesa-based Nimble Scissors brand was founded in 2014 by the designer Elena Kosenko. The brand describes its style as avant-garde/minimalism, which in a nutshell gives an idea about the shapes, cuts and colors used in the collections. Khaki is a signature color present in the brand's collections in numerous shades.
For their fall/winter collection, Nimble Scissors presented bomber jackets for men and women in various models from short and light to long and extra-warm for the coldest Ukrainian weather. The store's bestsellers include fleece sweatshirts, oversized shirts-dresses and flowing dresses. Nimble Scissors uses high-quality materials like Italian cotton jersey and Italian batiste.
Where to buy: online store, a boutique in Odesa
Keka
The new Ukrainian brand Keka based in Odesa caters for those who enjoy the merits of urban casual style and likes to combine comfort with sleek stylish details. The brand was founded by a young designer Konstantin Leontiev and took part in Odesa Fashion Day S/S 18.
Keka often gets inspiration in mythology and natural themes: for instance, S/S'18 is inspired by Greece, namely the picturesque island of Mykonos. The items from this collection have the classical Greek cut and traditional motifs embroidery.
Where to buy: online store, a boutique in Odesa
Arber
Arber fashion brand was founded in Odesa way back in the 90s by Hryhorii Arber, who sewed his own prom suit and thus paved the way for classical menswear in Ukraine. An atelier he opened in Odesa became widely popular and in several years Hryhorii launched a line of brands, which are now sold all over Ukraine.
Arber is one of the most popular brands of classic menswear in Ukraine: collections feature clean-cut suits, cardigans, coats and various accessories for the complete formal look. The brand has various items for smart casual style as well.
Where to buy: stores across the country, online store, official Facebook page
The following list is the editor's choice.
Photo sources: Facebook and websites of businesses mentioned above, unsplash.com. All images belong to their rightful authors.
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