Renaissance: TONiA SS26 Collection draws on European aristocratic fashion and Renaissance painting

The collection was presented on the main runway of Ukrainian Fashion Week.

While creating TONiA SS26, the brand’s creative director Antonina Belinska turned to the Renaissance era for inspiration. On her mood board were samples of European aristocratic costumes and paintings by Raphael, Titian, and Hans Holbein the Younger. Belinska transformed this cultural exploration into a romantic collection filled with fascinating historical references.

For instance, on dresses and shirts she recreated the floral print from Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, while trousers, tops, and robes are adorned with a floral ornament inspired by 16th-century Italian jacquard. The floral theme continues with hand-crocheted chrysanthemums and jasmine branches, which serve as delicate embellishments on tops and bodysuits.

With extensive experience in historical costume design for cinema, Belinska freely incorporates Renaissance stylistic devices into modern interpretations: cinched waists with corsets, open necklines, massive chokers, and belt bags. Notably, the Renaissance collection includes a bag whose shape and decoration reference authentic models from the late 16th century.

“For the belts, we cast decorative brass elements that replicate original embellishments on leather accessories from that period,” says Antonina.

Another noteworthy detail: all runway looks were complemented by a subtle fragrance with notes of bergamot, citrus, jasmine, and white flowers, specially created for this collection by the brand Amoursky.

The defining element of many silhouettes in TONiA SS26 is the voluminous Renaissance sleeve — draped, pleated, ruffled, and slashed.

“In the Renaissance era, voluminous sleeves symbolized the owner’s status and wealth, since fabric was expensive. Often, sleeves were not sewn on but tied to the gown (gamurra) or shirt (giornea) with ribbons, allowing them to be changed depending on the occasion. In the first half of the 16th century, dress sleeves were often slashed, revealing the white undergarment beneath,” explains Antonina Belinska.

Despite numerous historical citations, the Renaissance collection embodies the recognizable TONiA style: refined yet contemporary, artistic yet sensual. These looks are designed to shine both at social events and in everyday life.