Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has, like almost every major city in the country, been under constant threat from Russian bombardment.
Despite this, civilians living in Ukraine have tried to maintain as normal life as possible. This includes the execution and hosting of Ukraine fashion week for the first time since the conflict began in February 2022.
The event, which was hosted twice a year between 1997 and the start of the conflict, returned as the country continues to push back against Russia’s illegal invasion.
Vladimir Putin has failed to break Ukraine since the conflict began over two and a half years ago with a growing number of questions over the future of Putin as Russia’s leader.
The fashion event meanwhile, reported the Guardian, took place just hours after the city received an air raid alert at half past five in the morning.
Speaking to the publication, one of the co-founders Maria Gavrilyuk spoke about the impact of the war on Ukrainian fashion and renewed exposure to its traditions.
They said: “Previously when I travelled, I would say we were from Ukraine and nobody would know anything about it. Now it’s the moment when the world is understanding that we have a rich culture and lots of unique techniques. It’s just a pity it took these circumstances for it to happen.”
Whilst hosting a fashion event during a war may seem like an unusual occurrence, attendees referenced the fact that the fashion industry didn’t stop during World War 2.
Hat designer Ruslan Baginskiy said: “During the Second World War the fashion industry worked – in London people got dressed up and went to restaurants. Everyone in the world should understand that life goes on here too.”
Life continues to go on across Ukraine despite strikes in cities like Poltava and Kyiv. Recently the Russians struck as far west as Lviv, a city just over 40 miles from the Polish border, killing seven people.
Speaking to the Independent about the attack, local resident Ihor Tokarivsky spoke about what he witnessed: “There was plenty of firing by what I think was our anti-aircraft defences and two huge explosions, one after the other.
“Nobody slept after that or, I suppose, anywhere else in the city. We’ve heard some children are among the killed. We can only imagine the grief their parents and grandparents must be feeling right now and thank God our grandchild is alive.”