Residency Diary: Look into the Future. Khanenko Museum Collection
In 2025, the “Look into the Future” Young Designers’ Contest announced the launch of its first-ever residency program within the semi-finals. Curated by renowned Ukrainian designer Ivan Frolov, the residency took place in Kyiv from May 29 to June 2, offering a unique educational and cultural opportunity for emerging designers.
Over the course of the program, the semi-finalists met with industry experts, gained practical knowledge, and received valuable guidance from specialists representing leading Ukrainian fashion brands. As part of the educational program, contestants witnessed behind-the-scenes work at RUSLAN BAGINSKIY, GUNIA Project, and the COAT by Katya Silchenko, further enriching their professional experience.
You can watch the residency’s video diary on the official “Look into the Future” Instagram page via the link.
Day 1
Formal introductions opened the first day of the residency. Contestants then attended a lecture by Iryna Danylevska, Founder and CEO of Ukrainian Fashion Week, on “How to Present Your Brand,” followed by a session with Ivan Frolov, Creative Director of FROLOV, who told about creating a unique product.
While working on their competition looks, the participants received expert guidance from the curatorial team at the Khanenko Museum: Hanna Rudyk, Kateryna Baranovska, and Maryana Marchuk.
Day 2
The day began at the Ruslan Baginskiy creative space in Kyiv, where the contestants met Ruslan Baginskiy and Petro Yasinskyi, were introduced to the brand’s operations team, and learned about the specifics of work in sales, marketing, and merchandising.
The next stop was the Ada Rybachuk and Volodymyr Melnychenko Museum-Workshop (ARVM), which preserves the legacy of two outstanding monumental artists.
Back at the Khanenko Museum, the contestants completed work on their mood boards and collection sketches.
The day concluded with a visit to the Ivan Franko National Drama Theatre for a performance of ‘Ill-fated’ by Ivan Karpenko-Karyi, directed by Ivan Uryvskyi.
Day 3
The third day of the residency began with a lecture by Nataliia Kryvda, Doctor of Philosophy and Professor at the Department of Ukrainian Philosophy and Culture at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, held at the National Sanctuary Complex “Sophia of Kyiv.” Participants learned about the origins of Ukrainian cultural traditions, national identity, and Ukraine’s unique position on the European political map.
Next, the semi-finalists visited the GUNIA Project ceramics production site, where they met with the brand’s co-founder, Maria Gavrilyuk, who shared the story of the brand. Maria also spoke about their unique experience combining traditional crafts, artistic practices, and business. The contestants then observed the full cycle of the brand’s ceramic production: from concept to packaging.
The program continued with a unique opportunity for residency participants to refine the looks of their competition collections alongside renowned designers Nadiia Shapoval, Tetiana Nemchenko, and Artem Klimchuk.
The final event of the third day was a visit to the production facility of the COAT by Katya Silchenko, where contestants received expert advice from the brand’s team of technologists.
Day 4
The fourth day was spent at the FROLOV production facility, where the contestants, inspired by the knowledge they had gained, worked on bringing their own looks to life under the personal guidance of Ivan Frolov.
Day 5
The semi-final of the “Look into the Future” contest marked the last day of the residency. Participants presented their competition looks— inspired by the artistic heritage of the Khanenko Museum — to an expert jury that this year included Lilia Pustovit, Iryna Karavay, Svitlana Bevza, and Ksenia Schnaider. The jury was advised by Hanna Rudyk, Deputy Director for Education and Communication and an expert in Islamic art, as well as Yulia Vahanova, General Director of the Khanenko Museum.
Following the residency, ten finalists of the XXVI “Look into the Future” Young Designers’ Contest were selected. On September 4, they will present their collections in the halls of the Khanenko Museum, opening the new season of Ukrainian Fashion Week SS26.