SHOWING "LOVE TO UKRAINE"

The first night of Vancouver Fashion FW 2023 opened by showing Love To Ukraine. For the third season on the VFW runway, stylist, and model Tetyana Goleta presented a tribute to her homeland. With the support of the local Ukrainian community, Goleta focused our attention on the horrors of war and the life and culture it destroys.

Our attention soon turned to the spirit of the people and culture who survive and flourish in adversity. The presentation incorporated fashion, music, and dance to convey a hopeful message.

Traditional Ukrainian apparel is based on a homemade shirt made from homespun cloth, varying from the region it comes from., It is the basis of both male and female apparel. The main feature of the shirt (vyshyvanka) is the colorful and intricate embroidery. However, the Ukrainian style is so much more.

UKRAINE ON THE RUNWAY

The style of Ukraine has long been a favorite of fashionable people, adored for its slender silhouette, ornamentation, symbols, and rich color patterns. Ukrainian clothing has long influenced the runways of the world's fashion capitals, including Jean-Paul Gauthier and Gucci. Ukrainian style has been incorporated into designer collections. One of the best examples is the 2015 couture collection of Valentino, which was influenced by Ukrainian clothing and wowed the fashion world. Today the influence of Ukrainian fashion shows no signs of slowing down.

SHOWING LOVE TO UKRAINE

 Tetyana Goleta invited me to cover her photo shoot the night before the VFW runway show. As Tetyana readied the two models, and herself, I peppered her with questions. I soon realized that Goleta was more than a stylist and had created many pieces that would come down the runway. With a small budget and much ingenuity, she told me about the 30 or so looks. Some of the pieces are made out of deadstock fabrics. A beautiful green and orange top was once a tablecloth and an ornate woven jacket and skirt had been a bedspread. Known on Instagram by her 70,000 followers as the "eco stylist" Tetyana Goleta is also a talented designer.

SHOWING LOVE TO UKRAINE

The runway show featured elements of traditional Ukrainian costume incorporated with contemporary style. The sophisticated day looks up the anti with bohemian woven belts, flashes of intricate embroidery, and pops of color. Several looks had satin skirts giving an eveningwear vibe. Almost every model sports cool shades and carries a designer bag. Highlights are traditional vests with colorful decorations, and a grey, black, and white woven coat with tassels on the hem is impressive. A standout look is a teal tulle skirt paired with a needlepoint floral top, both bright and attention-grabbing. While detailed, the clothes are streamlined, not overly fussy, and convey power and strength. The  fabric choices with an emphasis on embroidered linen create harmony. This collection uses sustainable practices, shows resourcefulness, and exudes the confidence of its creator.

RUNWAY PHOTOS BY ARUN NEVADER

IN CONCLUSION

Seldom is a fashion show about one thing. Love to Ukraine highlighted the cause of war in Ukraine and the many talented people who modeled, sang, danced, and created and styled fashion. In the coming weeks, I will do my best to bring you into the front row of Vancouver Fashion Week and discover the world of fashion.

CIAO J. ANDREW