Twelve designers from the Ukraine are selling their collections in the Salon am Moritzplatz this Saturday (April 1). The pop-up shop, which is organized by the press woman Kristina Hellhake, is not the first support that Ukrainian fashion designers in particular have received in Berlin.
For several seasons, some of them have been able to present their new collections at Berlin Fashion Week, with organizational support from the Fashion Council Germany and financial support from the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Business. Among them, for example, Jean Gritsfeldt from Kiev, or Kristina Bobkova and Lilia Litkovska, who both run labels under their own surnames; Bobkova founded in 2000 and Litkovska in 2009.
Shopping-Tipp
Pop-Up im Salon am Moritzplatz
The temporary shop is open today, Saturday, April 1, at Oranienstraße 58 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Fashion brands Atelier Handmade, Bobkova, Body wear, Brua, Elena Reva, Less Less, Litkovska, Ost Won, Paskal, Puostovit, Stelmashov and Zhilyova.
According to Hellhake, the pop-up shop, which has now opened at Oranienstraße 58, is intended to show them that the solidarity and support in Berlin for the designers, and for the people in Ukraine in general, is more than a year after the outbreak of the Russian war of aggression is unbroken.
We asked Kristina Bobkova and Lilia Litkovska five questions to understand if they too see the way they are currently organizing their brands developing – and how they manage not to lose hope.
Ms. Bobkova, do you have the impression that the support and solidarity for Ukraine in Berlin has continued more than a year after the outbreak of war?
Kristina Bobkova: Yes, support for Ukraine, it seems to me, has increased several times. Aware of the horror of Russian aggression, many people and countries have joined forces with Ukraine in the struggle for freedom. Unfortunately, support for the fashion industry has taken a back seat. Maybe that’s okay too. Ukrainian brands have to function on their own, conquer the European market, strengthen the economy in Ukraine. But of course we are still happy and grateful for any support and help!
Lilia Litkovska: Absolutely! A year ago there was great solidarity out of compassion in this tragic situation. Now there is still a lot of support because people are impressed by our bravery. I am proud to be Ukrainian. And no matter how painful and difficult it is for our country – we will continue to defend our freedom and peace in Europe.
Jewelery from the label BruaThe bridge
What kind of support is most important now to keep the fashion and design scene alive in Ukraine?
Kristina Bobkova: The greatest support comes from the sales platforms provided and the resulting orders for Ukrainian fashion from customers. But reporting about and our work in magazines and other media is also immensely important. In addition, participating in the Berlin Fashion Week, where I have been active for several seasons, is crucial for my brand. I really appreciate this and the financial support that I am currently experiencing as an entrepreneur.
Lilia Litkovska: Providing stages and reducing financial costs of entering new markets. The Ukrainians are creative and our designers are met with great interest from all over the world. But we lost a lot in the war and just taking part in events could improve our financial opportunities. That’s why I’m so thankful for the support from Berlin Fashion Week, where I’ve been able to show my fashion for a few seasons – it’s very effective.
Shirt dress from Less LessLess Less
How is your label organized at the moment? Where do you work yourself, where is your team located? And where is it produced?
Kristina Bobkova: I have lived in Germany with my children since the beginning of the war and develop my collections from here. Our brand has set up a temporary camp here to be able to work with buyers, showrooms, influencers and private customers. However, the entire production and team are still in Kiev, on Vozdvizhenka Street in the historic city center. Our priority is our local employees. We also want to support their families by not taking any salary cuts despite the critical situation of our company. After all, in every family there is at least one man, son, husband or brother in the army who is now protecting us on the front lines. That’s why we don’t relocate our production to other cities and countries in order to get jobs directly in Kiev. Everything is going quite well, we have adapted to the new circumstances. DHL is back in Ukraine, which is very important. Our managing director Oksana Tsydinska and I are very flexible and creative, especially when it comes to saving our brand. In addition, the difficult times of the pandemic had already taught us how we can work more digitally and take unusual paths when it comes to logistics.
Lilia Litkovska: The creativity is in me, wherever I am. I am constantly working on new collections. I’m currently moving between two cities – Paris, where my family lives now, and Kiev, where my creative team and production are still based. We make fashion that is 100 percent made in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, our labels have read: “Litkovska – with love from the war zone”.
Puostovit brand designsRest in peace
Do you also reflect the current situation in Ukraine in your fashion?
Kristina Bobkova: My whole life – and not just mine, the life of all Ukrainians is divided into a before and after the war. Our life will never be the same again. Our families are separated, we are forced to be far from our own homes and relatives – our whole lives are constantly under threat. We seek solace and protection from this incredible stress in charity, in therapy, in meditation. And my job helps me! Last year we presented new collections twice at Berlin Fashion Week and were able to organize showrooms in Shanghai, New York and Paris. Of course I get my inspiration from countries, people and atmosphere, but the main inspiration is actually my country, its culture, its traditions, which I want to preserve as an artist and craftswoman. For example, my new collection, entitled Mriya, which means dream in Ukrainian, is about the pursuit of peace and the rebirth of my homeland. It reflects the image of a contemporary Ukrainian woman facing an unseen tragedy as she struggles to get on with her everyday life.
Lilia Litkovska: Yes, of course! Everything I’m going through right now – my feelings, my worries, my pride – I bring into my designs. Not always, but sometimes this is directly visible. For example, when I included yellow armbands in my collection, which I presented at London Fashion Week in April last year. These armbands allow Ukrainian defenders to identify each other on a battlefield. My husband also wore such an armband there – so this element also represented my connection to him during this difficult time.
Leadership combi von StelmashovStelmashov
How do you manage not to lose hope more than a year after the outbreak of war?
Kristina Bobkova: My biggest hope is a victory for Ukraine and my return home, to Kiev, to my husband, with my children. And to our studio to make collections there again. I want to believe that many Ukrainian women will be able to return home this spring. I believe in reviving our economy. And I hope for the safety of our families and children.
Lilia Litkovska: I’m confident that we will prevail in the end. But I also know that it will take more than a few months. We must keep hoping, living and fighting. And create things.