The big guys of the fashion world have started to discover Ukrainian costume and have brought it on to the top catwalks of Europe and US. The hype was probably started by designer Frida Giannini, who made an Autumn/Winter 2008-09 ready-to-wear collection for Gucci with recognizable Ukrainian folk costume elements. And after a runway at Valentino spring 2015 couture, Ukrainian traditional costume has knowingly and unknowingly penetrated fashion for years. In addition to groovy boho embroidered peasant blouses and red geometric patterns on puffy sleeves of linen garbs, models were wearing traditional for Ukraine braid and floral crowns.
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The sudden rise and appreciation of Ukrainian traditional dress on an international level can be credited to Vita Kin. Recently, this designer has become an international sensation by bringing her version of a traditional Ukrainian wear to Paris Fashion Week. Vita Kin combines a unique Ukrainian method of decorating clothing with embroidery with modern context, adding a seventies vibe to her fashionable wear and a bohemian eccentricity in a very lux execution.
As for those “not so obvious” interpretations of Ukrainian natural dress, they exist in the avant-garde frontier of Ukrainian fashion. There is Karavay brand, who keeps their clothing classic, Ksenia Marchenko of Ksenia Schnaider, who pixelate and enlarges traditional Slavic patterns, Varenykyfashion brand with their boho chic dresses and tops adorned with lush floral embroidery.
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The Ukrainian influence has fully arrived in our closets and Ukrainian ethnic motives are the trendiest thing you can add to your summer wardrobe.
