Olena Kostiukova is a designer from Kherson. She used to create Ukrainian kimonos in her native town of Chornobaivka.

The war cut her life in half. Before, it was colourful, rich, full of sound. And now it is black and white.

After February 24, Olena made a very difficult and important decision: not to take out her equipment and expensive goods. She believes that she will return to her hometown and continue to create clothes.

“Of course, we will see each other here in Chornobaivka! And we will sew an incredible collection of cardigan amulets with a powerful spirit sewn into them!” the designer shares her plans.

Olena now lives in Ivano-Frankivsk and dreams of making it the fashion capital of the country. And the new collection of her personal brand, sewn here, is already conquering Europe at Frankfurt Fashion Week.

“We will keep going. The mission is not to stop, not to give up. It concerns everything: business, fashion, the economy,” says Olena Kostiukova.