Applications for the 26th All-Ukrainian Competition of Young Fashion Designers “Look into the Future” are now open

For over 25 years, the All-Ukrainian Competition of Young Fashion Designers “Look into the Future” has been dedicated to discovering and nurturing new talent in the Ukrainian fashion industry. This year’s Competition centers on the Khanenko Museum, and each participant is required to reflect this theme in their work.

Ivan Frolov, now a globally renowned designer and former winner of “Look into the Future,” will curate the Competition.

“It is essential to create an environment for young designers to connect with diverse artistic heritage, helping them take their first steps toward mastery and develop their unique style.

“Look into the Future: The Khanenko Museum Collection” will provide this opportunity. Next fall, we will witness the emergence of a new wave of forward-looking Ukrainian brands. Regardless of who wins the Grand Prix, “Look into the Future” has always been a platform that opens doors for young talents, nurturing generations of designers who are now widely recognized in the fashion world,” says Ivan Frolov.

The Khanenko Collection represents a vital cultural asset of Ukraine. It consists of unique works of art gathered by the Khanenko family, symbolizing the moving beyond boundaries and into the global sphere, thus inspiring the search for new ideas in the midst of artistic diversity.

“The war has demonstrated that museums are about the future – how our descendants will look at what has passed. This direct connection between museums and the future was understood more than a century ago by the distinguished Ukrainian family of collectors and philanthropists, the Khanenkos, who traveled the world to bring masterpieces from various cultures and eras to Kyiv…

Participants are invited to dive into the original stories of the National Collection of World Art at the Khanenko Museum. This collection features artifacts from ancient civilizations and artworks from Europe, Asia, the Islamic world, and Africa. The Competition encourages an exploration of collective memory, a celebration of empathy for Otherness, and a pursuit of knowledge and understanding. It highlights the importance of connecting with the broader world and welcoming new individuals into the rich tapestry of culture,” says Hanna Rudyk, Ph.D., Deputy Director General for Educational Programs and Communications and Curator of Islamic Art at the Khanenko Museum.

The collaboration between the Competition and the Khanenko Museum highlights the importance of the synergy between art and fashion. This partnership reveals a unique cultural heritage for young designers and helps them find their place in the global cultural polylogue.

“Encouraging participants to engage with this year’s theme is only part of our mission. The younger generation owes the utmost respect and gratitude to the outstanding figures of Ukrainian art – Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko. The history of this family of collectors and philanthropists is rich with profound patriotism, which will serve as the main source of inspiration and research for contestants,” explains the founder of Competition, Iryna Danylevska.

The XXVI All-Ukrainian Competition of Young Fashion Designers: “Look into the Future: The Khanenko Museum Collection” will be held in three phases: 

I. Submission of Applications and Fashion Sketches.

Contestants  are required to submit 7–10 images inspired by the collection of the Khanenko Museum, which can be discovered via open online sources. Applications are accepted until February 6, 2025, at the link. 

The list of semi-finalists will be announced on February 15 at a press conference during the official UFW FW25-26 Program. 

II. Semi-Final. 

In April, the semi-finalists will begin their residency, collaborating with the curators and researchers of the museum. In June, each contestant will introduce two full looks, and the finalists will be selected. 

III. Final.

In September 2025, the finalists will present collections of five looks at the Khanenko Museum.

The Competition is open to Ukrainian citizens under the age of 30 who have been working or studying in the fashion industry for over 3 years.