The invasion of the culturally-rich Ukraine has forced fashion to reflect, assessing how they can unite to help those in crisis. Consider this a capsule collection of creative efforts.

By Autumn Mowery

The fashion industry is often met with judgment. Critics claim the individuals among it to be superficial and over-glamorized. However, such stereotypes may have become stale.

As it turns out, when the world is in a state of panic, society quickly turns to fashion leaders to make a statement and ignite a reaction. Simultaneously, the question of frivolity spreads yet again like a seasonal wildfire: how important is fashion in times of crisis?

Fear arose as the first strike was made in Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, a time when the high-speed train that is Paris Fashion Week had already begun sending clothes down the runway. The first reactions were shock, feelings of helplessness, confusion, and worries for Eastern Europe. After the industry silence under valid criticism dissipated, reality processed. <a href="https://lofficiel.at/en/tags/luxury">Luxury</a> conglomerates, fashion designers, and icons alike began announcing emergency donations, which led to a chain reaction of those same donors, plus hundreds, now probably thousands, of western entities halting business with the invader.

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"... fashion creatives within Ukraine’s borders echoing the resiliency they have shown the world."

Financial strategies are undoubtedly beneficial but what can be done beyond this? Preservation and perseverance defend the spirit of humanity&#39;s past, present, and future. The people of <a href="https://lofficiel.at/en/tags/ukraine">Ukraine</a> are fighting to save their homeland and protect their culture.

Initiatives erupted all over the west urging buyers to put their money toward Ukrainian businesses &mdash; a method that has become a popular and effective strategy to ensure that those directly affected are supported. Founder of Angel for Fashion, Jen Sidary, proliferated such initiatives by curating an e-commerce site of the most prominent Ukrainian brands including Bobkova, Gunia Project, the COAT and more. AFF offers representation on a global platform, facilitating orders delivered worldwide.

And while efforts are taken globally, fashion creatives within Ukraine&rsquo;s borders are doing everything they can, echoing the resiliency they have shown the world. Upon reopening their e-commerce site in April, Ukrainian fashion label TTSWTRS began devoting a percentage of every sale to the Ukraine army, children, families, and humanitarian aid &ndash; all while relocating production to a safer location by evacuating their stores which are nestled in war hotspots. The brand also collaborated with the largest meta fashion retailer known as DRESSX.&nbsp;

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Founded by two Ukrainian&nbsp;Daria Shapovalova and Natalia Modenova, the digital-only fashion closet, DRESSX, launched the &lsquo;Support Ukraine Collection&rsquo;, a dominantly blue and yellow palette collection in collaboration with various designers. As proceeds benefit Ukraine, DRESSX&rsquo;s collection also infiltrates social media. Celebrities and influencers post images wearing the digitized luxury masterpieces on their personal platforms, spreading awareness and inspiring followers.

TTSWTRS&rsquo; has had cyber pieces available in the online store since January 2022, but in March the brand&rsquo;s &lsquo;Intergalactic Royal Dress&rsquo; was recreated. As a TTSWTRS x DRESSX collaboration, the gown was renamed the &lsquo;Intergalactic Freedom Dress&rsquo;, converted to blue and yellow, and turned into an NFT for the Fashion for Peace NFT Collection. Indulging in the virtual insanity that is the metaverse, fashion members are forward-thinking to improve the state of the present.

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&ldquo;Old-school&rdquo; style fashion shows are certainly not forgotten either. As a spin-off from the Kyiv Art and Fashion Days Festival, September&rsquo;s NYFW 2022 is set to include Kyiv Art and Fashion Days - New York. Curated by founder Sofia Tchkonia and organized by fashion designer and musician, Keanan Duffty, the event will bring six of the most talented fashion designers from Ukraine to New York. The three-day event will provide the designers with exposure to retail buyers, business advisors, sales experts and fashion press. <a href="https://frolov.fr/">Frolov,</a> <a href="https://gudu.ua/">Gudu</a>, <a href="https://www.valerykovalska.com/">Valery Kovalska</a>, <a href="https://elenaburenina.com/">Elena Burenina</a>, <a href="https://litkovskaya.com/">Lilia Litkovskaya</a>, <a href="https://lakestudio.org/collections/dresses">Lake Studio</a> and <a href="https://situationistofficial.com/">Situationist</a> are among the creative companies that the project will seek to assist.&nbsp;

Safeguarding the Ukrainian fashion culture has become a collective effort backed by the powerful fashion industry. As the dark days of the war in Europe continue, creatives look to each other to uplift spirits and find a light. TTSWTRS founder, Anna Osmiekhina looks ahead with hope, &ldquo;I have a strong faith that after all this we will experience a true cultural rebirth, a cultural blossoming, which will encompass the rise in fashion, Ukrainian crafts, artistry &mdash; all cultural areas.&ldquo;

Global communities keep fashion in check, vocalizing the sobering reality that is war and displacement in many parts of the world. After seeing the impact of joint support, there is a realization to acknowledge crises beyond the western world and a new set standard of how the tight-knit fashion industry can be of service to support its international family of creatives.

Images provided by: Timothy Fernandez for Angel for Fashion, DressX, TTSWTRS and Keanan&nbsp;Duffty

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