Dear Shaded Viewers,
Ukrainian avant-garde fashion brand LITKOVSKA’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, aptly named REBIRTH, took to the stage of Paris Fashion Week on September 27th, not merely as a fashion statement but as a symbol of resilience and hope amidst the turmoil of war. The brand’s founder, Liliya Litkovska, has crafted a narrative of perseverance that extends far beyond the textiles and silhouettes of her designs.
Litkovska’s collection is a visual and conceptual tribute to the unyielding feminine spirit that perseveres even in the darkest times. The presentation of the collection was not just a parade of garments; it was a poignant commentary on the current state of Ukraine, symbolizing the nation’s unwavering hope for a future of peace and renewal. The central motif, wheat grains encased in ice, served as a profound metaphor for the endurance of Ukrainian values and aspirations, even when they seem frozen in time by the brutalities of conflict.
The designs, embodying both strength and fragility, reflect the complex narrative of a nation in the midst of upheaval. The contrast between the masculine lines of the garments and the inherent delicacy of femininity speaks to the courage and optimism that Litkovska sees as crucial to her country’s future. It’s an artistic defiance against the backdrop of air raid sirens and explosions—a testament to the creative spirit that continues to thrive against all odds.
The setting of the show in central Paris was carefully chosen to extend this narrative. QR codes on the venue’s windows opened up a virtual memorial to the places in Ukraine that have suffered destruction, underscoring the brand’s commitment to not just fashion, but to cultural preservation and the reclamation of identity.
Since its inception in 2009, LITKOVSKA has stood at the intersection of fashion and cultural commentary, known for its structural finesse and attention to detail. Yet, since the onset of the full-scale war in 2022, Liliya Litkovska’s work has taken on new layers of meaning. Each collection is a creation of defiance, a beacon of hope crafted under the shadow of conflict—a stitch and a thread at a time.
LITKOVSKA’s presence at Paris Fashion Week since 2017 has been a platform not just for showcasing Ukrainian fashion but for broadcasting a message of resilience and solidarity. The brand, through its cycles of metamorphosis, underscores the unending transformation of life itself—a cycle that continues even in the face of adversity.
