Kiev Fashion Days

Once again, with this new outline of Spring/Summer 2016 collections, Kiev proves to be a major destination for Ukrainian and international fashion.

The Mercedes Kiev Fashion Days, the equivalent of the fashion week, an initiative born out of the passion of Daria Shapovalova, former blogger and TV host, have just come to an end. Set against the Olimpiskiy Stadium, over the course of the three days we attended the showcases of the best Ukrainian fashion talent.

Day 1

With her latest collection, VALERY KOVALSKA reiterates her intention to create garments for a woman that wants to appear powerful but also enjoys comfortable clothing. The chromatic palette ranges from white to pale blue and black colouring fluid plain dresses mixed with printed and fringed separates.

ANDREEVA’s focus is on colours and fabrics. Pastel nuances and prints on garments in materials ranging from lace, chiffon and leather. Through her collection, Andreeva channels her background and her studies. Having graduated from the Kyiv Fine Arts School in painting, she worked mostly as an interior designer before developing her vision into the creation of her brand.

Day 2

As it is true for all ANNA OCTOBER collections, when she designs she has a story in mind and, this season, that story is about a princess that flees from her castle during the night. Fluid fabrics, ruches and a sharp eye for details are the key features, from the laser cut edges of dresses and tops to the hand-made accessories sold for a charity cause.

VAHAN KHACHATRYAN designed a collection inspired by Spain and its heritage: Valencia, Granada and Seville are all present in the shape of prints on the voluminous gowns as well as on the tees teamed with lace detailing and hand-embroidered skirts.

Designed by the talented Kostya OMELYA, the collection confirms the label’s penchant for clean lines with special attention for the choice of colours, which is rather unusual given the signature minimalism that characterizes Omelya’s creations: fluo skirts, body suits and accessories complement the otherwise black and white palette.

THEO closes the second day of collections with a typical show: witty, concise and eccentric. Vibrant colours are mixed with a more classic black; men’s lines with a more feminine lace and minimalist looks with more dramatic ones. All characterized by a special attention for details.

Day 3

There is a special feature to ANTON BELINSKIY that separates him from the other brands: a contrasting quality to the pieces that display complex structures combined with soft and fluid fabrics. This collection consolidates this stylistic marriage on both women’s and men’s looks.

MARIANNA SENCHINA took Kiev’s audience and press on a trip to Las Vegas. The new S/S 2016 collection is inspired to the American town and offers leather jackets, fringing and shimmering details complementing 70’s style looks.

ANNA K, the brand designed by young designer Anna Kolomoets, continues with the label’s direction towards highly feminine garments with laser appliques in the shape of hearts, bows and flowers with the introduction of printed sweatshirts and dresses with details in leather, silk and pearls.

KSENIA SCHNAIDER closes the three-day fashion extravaganza with a S/S 2016 collection that is less based on the brand’s signature features to favour fabrics and silhouettes. Dresses with ultra clean lines are combined with trousers with an unusual silhouette that still remain loyal to the soul of the brand by Ukrainian duo Ksenia Marchenko and Anton Schnaider.