photography. Serhiy Khandusenko
Against the backdrop of resilience and reinvention, Ukrainian Fashion Week once again transformed Kyiv into a runway platforming emerging and boundary-pushing designers. Spring/summer 2026 collections spotlighted a new wave of innovation, as designers drew inspiration from the past while incorporating modern elements. From time spent on the shores of the Sea of Azov to the legend of Lilith, collections were rooted in nostalgia and history – but they also served as a testament to the enduring spirit of Ukrainian fashion.
The sparkling sea and peaceful shores of Berdyansk belong to many of Nadya Dzyak’s fondest memories. And, since founding her namesake brand in 2008, she has continually found ways to incorporate them into her designs. “All my strongest and most defining collections were imagined while sitting on the beach in Berdyansk, which, unfortunately, is now occupied by Russia. Nowhere else have I ever felt such peace and harmony,” she shared. This season, those moments manifest as a seashell motif, the sculptural spirals of layered and intersecting organza creating the shape. Knitted tops and dresses resemble sea shells and stones, a wide striped pattern nods to the maritime theme, and colourful ruffles are linked to the mosaic of Boryviter.
Santa’s signature glitter has a new look this season, one that radiates sophistication. Sensual garments exude a soft glow with pastel pink and white numbers contrasting against pops of red and black. Liquid silk trousers, tops, and dresses embody a cinematic glow; structured corsetry hints at boudoir dressing, while fitted silhouettes evoke Old Hollywood. Founder and creative director Yana Stanislavska found the perfect balance between harshness and femininity, designing a collection that embodies the modern woman – and her glow from within.
Ever wondered what it would look like if fashion were buried alive? Thanks to Solomiiahrynkiv’s latest collection, ‘Gauze’, you don’t have to. Experimenting with destruction, dyeing, and more, founder and creative director Solomiia Hrynkiv designed 12 looks that feel both undone and complete. Stripped from the body, aged, and dirtied, the garments hug models’ frames, with bustiers, tied-up trousers, and structured skirts. While each look feels distinctly vulnerable due to the use of gauze, they also appear as armour on the body.
The legend of Lilith – the first wife of Adam who chose freedom over obedience – has been reinterpreted for Jjsquee’s newest collection, ‘The Light of Shadows’. Instead of focusing on escape, the brand wanted to emphasise choosing yourself – and the strength it takes to use your voice. These themes emerged from a blend of airy fabrics, representing vulnerability, alongside structured blazers and skirts that command attention. Focusing on the fact that clothing expresses emotions, the brand created designs that conveyed shame, anger, duality, tenderness, despair, and calm simultaneously. Because every woman experiences the clashing of those feelings on the inside, but the Jjsquee woman isn’t afraid to shine regardless.
Combining the opulence of the Renaissance with contemporary codes, creative director Antonina Belinska of Tonia has captured a poetic dialogue between old and new this season. Belinska drew inspiration from the grandeur of European aristocracy and the artistry of Raphael, Titian, and Hans Holbein the Younger, designing ethereal dresses that pay homage to Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus,’ as well as 16th-century Italian jacquard-style trousers and dramatic, voluminous Renaissance sleeves. Even the accessories reference the late 1500s, with a brass-cast, detailed handbag taking centre stage. “A piece like this allows us to echo the craftsmanship of the era while keeping it resolutely modern,” Belinska said in a release.
In a moment when silence was a necessity, not a choice, Vvics’s latest collection ‘Shedding Silence’ came to life. “My clothing is my way of speaking. And even when everything around changes or falls apart, I believe that things created with sincerity are capable of surviving,” the designer noted in a release. The looks communicate through harsh lines, armour-inspired silhouettes, draped skirts, ruffled denim, barely-there bras, and feminine corsets. Garments act as a new skin that says, ‘I am capable.’ And the mixture between lightness and dark, between softness and structure underscores themes of vulnerability and strength – without saying a word.
Surrounded by the Baroque walls of the Old Academic Building of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Poustovit’s newest collection combined fashion with art. Opting to present the garments within a presentation format, designer Lilia Poustovit’s ‘Tie’ became an experience. Inspired by the work of Ukrainian artist Pavlo Makov, the collection sees textiles and printed motifs intersect with his works. Patterned dresses, shirts, and skirts are elegant and timeless, the soft, earthy tones making them uber-wearable – but also beyond chic.
TG Botanical’s ‘The Garden of Awakening’ collection sees nature intertwine with fabrics. Various textures take on that of berries, soil, and petals, while the brand’s elastic ruching technique resembles seeds sown across the fabric. Made with natural materials, including ramie (nettle), linen, and cotton, each piece feels organic – not only in its look but in the way it connects with the body. Influenced by the slow-moving pace of the garden, open tops, bustiers, body-hugging dresses, and voluminous trousers are timeless in design.
photography. Serhiy Khandusenko
photography. Andriy Sokolov (Nadya Dzyak + Santa), Volodymyr Bosak (Solomiiahrynkiv, Jjsquee, Tonia + Vvics), Anastasia Purik (Poustovit + TG Botanical)
backstage photography. Serhiy Khandusenko
words. Amber Louise
