Behind the Scenes

Getting ready for the upcoming Ukrainian Fashion Week SS25, which will take place in Kyiv from September 1 to 4, the UFW team reached out to the participating brands with a question: How is your brand coping with the full-scale invasion? Yulia Danylevska, the founder and designer of the Studio of Silk & Straw brand, shared her enterprise’s journey over the past two and a half years.

Russian aggression against Ukraine has affected many aspects of our lives. Unfortunately, at the end of March 2022, we were forced to cease operations. Prior to the full-scale invasion, the entire Studio of Silk & Straw team was working in Kyiv. However, to ensure the safety of the children, most workers had to leave Ukraine.

Studio of Silk & Straw aims to promote Ukrainian traditions by blending them with contemporary fashion trends. Our work involves combining the ancient art of straw weaving and voluminous embroidery with silk ribbons.  Through this, our bags exude elegance, inspired by the iconic Jane Birkin, and prioritize environmental consciousness. This is our way of showcasing authentic Ukrainian craft to the global fashion community.

In an effort to express my emotions and preserve the brand, I created the Wind of Ukraine collection as a symbol of Ukraine’s future dawn, which we believe will come after these difficult times. The collection was featured in “The New Jersey Record,” “The Hackensack Chronicle,” and “Eyewitness News.”

In 2023, with the support of “ggallery.nyc,” the collection was showcased on Broadway in New York. Additionally, the Studio of Silk & Straw actively participates in activities to support the defense forces of Ukraine.
Currently, the brand has returned home and resumed operations.

Undoubtedly, like all entrepreneurs and creative teams, we face various challenges. The 2022 invasion has led to an employment crisis and reduced demand for many products. Another challenge is the timely supply of materials. Despite these difficulties, we are committed to our work and continue to create.

While we are actively operating in Ukraine, we are also expanding into the rest of Europe, which is not an easy task. It is important for us not to simply use the “Made in Ukraine” slogan as a marketing ploy but to authentically establish a “Lovemark” rooted in the creativity, quality, and professionalism of our team.