Turmoil in Ukraine Didn't Stop Kiev Fashion Week

Photo: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kiev/ Facebook

Even as Ukraine remains in crisis with a fragile ceasefire that the BBC says could end at any time, Kiev Fashion Week went on. The Wall Street Journal reports that three days of runway shows backed by Mercedes-Benz happened as scheduled, even though buyers were afraid to attend and designers were hampered by electricity shortages and problems with importing fabrics.

All in all, Kiev Fashion Week showcased 33 collections and about 6,500 people attended. It might've been a continuation of the sentiment expressed during Fashion Week in Paris, where Ukranian designers bonded together with a showroom and a slogan, 'Fashion for Peace.' Retail consultant Julie Gilhart told the Wall Street Journal she was moved to see designers creating clothes 'at a time when their whole country was in total chaos.' · Ukrainian Designers Press On in Wartime [WSJ] · This is How Fashion Talks About War [Racked] · WWD: LA Fashion Week Isn't Up To 'Runway Standards' [Racked]