The conscious fashion brand UPSLOWUSE unveiled its new collection “Stolen Sea” on the runway of Ukrainian Fashion Week SS’26 at Mystetskyi Arsenal.

The collection is inspired by warm childhood memories and the endless horizons of the Azov Sea. A sea that today is not just a geographic point on the map, but a symbol of what has been taken away — a space of childhood, freedom, and summers that will never be the same again. Yet those memories still live within each of us: the taste of salty wind, the scent of steppe grasses, the sound of waves, and the feeling of infinite horizons.

“We created this collection as a tribute to the sea that was taken from us, but which forever remains in our hearts through memory. Each look is a fragment of nostalgia and resilience: a sense of carefree ease alongside the steel realities,” — said Mila Ogly, creative director of the brand.

The new UPSLOWUSE collection reflects motifs of the Azov seashore. Cotton dyed with decoctions of steppe plants reflects the natural palette of the evening sky above the sea. Beach-inspired elements are seamlessly integrated into the rhythm of the city — swimsuits that organically flow into everyday looks. Prints of waves and sea spray become visual metaphors of the sea’s touch. Seashells symbolize preserved memory and tenderness emerging from the depths. Metallic accents embody resilience, reminding us of the strength of memory and the transformative power of experience.

Key pieces include: airy tops emphasizing effortless summer style, dresses as a continuation of swimwear silhouettes, upcycled denim jeans bringing an urban rhythm, and a multifunctional robe-coat blending beach aesthetics with city practicality.

Materials play a special role: Upcycled denim and recycled steel — symbols of transformation and new life. Fabrics made from ocean plastic — reflecting the brand’s ecological mission. Natural dyes from steppe plants — a connection to heritage and nature.

Each garment carries within it the memory of days when the sea was an ordinary part of summer, when it shaped our vision of freedom.

The “Stolen Sea” collection is a reminder that the sea may be physically taken away, but its warmth and memories cannot be erased. UPSLOWUSE strives for this collection to serve as an emotional bridge to a place that will remain in the cultural and personal memory of generations to come.