Kyiv’s designers were at the centre of a flourishing fashion scene when they had to adapt virtually overnight - fleeing their homes and factories and pivoting their activities to help the war effort. “We have never produced army boots so did not have a model or soles,” says Alina Kachorovska, who within a week of the invasion went from making women’s shoes and bags to army boots. “But my mother brought together a few factories in Ukraine, so one factory gave soles, one gave the model, another gave laces, and we gave the leather for our bags”. Many have had to move their warehouses and headquarters across Europe, though they are all hopeful that they will be able to return to Ukraine. “It’s always been, and always will be, important for us to have ‘Made in Ukraine’ on our labels,” says Asya Varetsa of @daily_sleeper. “It’s the DNA of the brand.” Link in bio for the full story - and huge thank you to @bevza_svitlana @daily_sleeper @bobkova_official @alinakachorovska @anna_october_ @juliepelipas @dressx for speaking with me