From September 4 to 8, Ukrainian Fashion Week will stage its long-awaited return to Kiev, uniting 57 national brands for a five-day program of runway shows, presentations, and cultural events. This marks a powerful statement of resilience from Ukraine’s fashion industry as it continues to navigate the challenges of war. Designers such as Frolov and Gunia Project are among the anticipated participants.
A Symbolic Homecoming
Ukrainian Fashion Week (UFW) is set to return to its birthplace in Kiev after two years of staging shows across European cities like Paris, London, and New York. The spring–summer 2026 season will be the 28th edition of the platform, originally launched in 1997 to spotlight emerging talent and build a professional fashion ecosystem in Ukraine.
“Fashion, like culture as a whole, now has a mission to protect our identity,” said Iryna Danylevska, founder and CEO of UFW. The organization has framed its return as a gesture of cultural diplomacy and defiance in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, calling fashion “a key tool of national security” that safeguards Ukrainian identity.
Five Days of Fashion, Art, and Social Impact
The event will unfold across multiple venues throughout Kiev, combining traditional runway presentations with exhibitions, performances, and art installations. While the full schedule will be released in August, confirmed designers include:
- Frolov
- Gunia Project
- Gasanova
- Nadya Dzyak
- TG Botanical
- The Coat by Katya Silchenko
- J’amemme
- Viktoranisimov
The symbolic opening ceremony will be held at the Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of Arts, where finalists from the 26th Look into the Future competition for young designers will present their collections alongside the museum’s permanent works. The choice of venue underscores the event’s cultural mission—especially as the museum itself was damaged during attacks in 2022 and has become a symbol of protecting Ukrainian heritage.
Industry Under Strain, Yet Still Standing
Ukraine’s textile and fashion sectors continue to face severe disruption from the war, including factory relocations, supply constraints, and declining domestic consumption. Despite this, many brands have pivoted toward exports and e-commerce as vital lifelines. UFW aims to strengthen these channels by reconnecting local talent with international buyers and press.
The program will also explore the intersection of fashion and visual arts, reinforcing the narrative of cultural identity as a cornerstone of Ukrainian design.
Solidarity at the Core
Social responsibility remains central to the event. Since the war began, UFW has integrated charitable initiatives into every edition. This year, the Faces of Heroes program—which funds reconstructive surgeries for veterans wounded in combat—will continue. A portion of ticket sales and sponsorship revenue will also support hospital textiles and rehabilitation programs, underscoring the role of fashion as a driver of public good.
Closing with a Business Focus
The week will conclude on September 8 with a business conference hosted at the Tsum Kiev department store, organized in partnership with consulting firm White Rabbit Agency. The conference will tackle the realities of operating within a wartime economy, covering topics such as:
- Raw material shortages
- Displaced manufacturing facilities
- Expanding into new sales markets
- Crisis communication strategies
The goal is to establish a roadmap to safeguard jobs for more than 10,000 industry professionals and secure supply chain continuity. UFW will also maintain its international buyers program, designed to facilitate wholesale orders and increase the global visibility of Ukrainian brands.
Ukrainian Fashion Week’s return to Kiev is more than a fashion event — it is a statement of endurance, creativity, and cultural pride.