‘Ukrainian in heart, body, blood’: Inside Ukraine’s London Fashion Week show

Wrapping up one of the biggest weeks in fashion on Tuesday was the Ukraine Show, where three exceptional Ukrainian brands came together to showcase their designs, in spite of the atrocities occurring in their motherland.

The show opening was poignant as the designers – Ksenia Schnaider, Ivan Frolov and Julie Paskal – all strutted their stuff down the runway, brandishing the Ukrainian flag.

Metro.co.uk was lucky enough to get a backstage pass, where we saw a sea of black t-shirts sporting the Ukrainian flag, as the stylists fixed hair and MAC artists applied makeup.

The designs were all beautiful, but it was the showcasing of immense talent and creativity still blooming from war-torn Ukraine that was the standout message.

With an Instagram bio which reads ‘Ukrainian in heart, in body, in blood,’ it is no surprise Frolov was chosen to represent the country by the British Fashion Council.

Conflict back home has had a profound impact on Ukrainians, said designer Ivan.

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘Without a doubt, we can never stay the same after even fully acknowledging all the horrors of the war, it is devastating.

‘But despite it, I’m constantly evolving, researching, and exploring something new.

‘But what I find a great strength of Frolov as a brand is the fact that it hasn’t changed. It stays true to itself, to its core conception and DNA, and this is our main power.’

Ivan also expressed how grateful he was to be able to represent his country during London Fashion Week.

‘It is a great honour and achievement for our brand to be a part of the official schedule of London Fashion Week this season,’ he said.

‘Especially while we as Ukrainians are still fighting in the war Russians has started, it is so important for us to be cultural warriors and continue this talk about Ukraine in every way possible.

‘We are happy to use this opportunity as a platform to represent Ukrainian talent, to show it to the world and continue spreading the message that we won’t give up on our main goal and what we’re doing in any circumstances.’

Ksenia told Metro.co.uk about what it was like to be part of London Fashion Week.

She said: ‘It is a great honour and responsibility at the same time. I think my show was a powerful symbol of resilience and resourcefulness – because all garments were produced in Ukraine under air raid sirens.

‘Despite the challenging circumstances in which the collection was created I managed to infuse it with an air of hope and positivity. The pieces are meant to transport the wearer to a place of happiness and joy, even if only for a moment.’

She also spoke on how important it was to bring attention to the conflict, adding: ‘I think it is very important because it is a matter of life and death.

‘I feel my responsibility to be very vocal about war in my country and let more people know about what is happening and get involved in helping people who are suffering there.’

Her favourite design showcased was a blazer made of ties after she got a donation of ties from her friend who had to close the stores in Ukraine because of war.

Ukrainian brand Paskal, in contrast, is known for it’s delicate silhouettes and minimalist approach, and has previously appeared in Paris Fashion Week.

Julie Paskal spent the first three weeks of the war in Odesa, where she lived with her family, before fleeing to Germany with her children.

However, she’s since returned to Ukraine while her family remain in Germany, to work on her collections.

The delicate butterfly designs were the most feminine and soft creations to walk the runway.

‘My favourite piece is a long white dress with a beautiful cut out on the back, it looks like it’s crafted from paper, very feminine and clean but with a sexy provocative note. Here she is.. out of cocoon!’

If the backstage scene at LFW was anything to go by, shows like this take a lot of people to pull off. Julie wanted to express her thanks to everyone involved.

She said: ‘I want to express my deepest gratitude to our British colleagues and to my Ukrainian team.’

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