Ukrainian designer and founder of the POLONETS brand, Oksana Polonets, presented her signature look «Spadok» (Heritage) at the international Amazing Thailand Global Thai Silk Exhibition, taking place in Bangkok from October 11 to 18, 2026. To create the outfit, the designer combined black Thai silk with natural Ukrainian fabrics and traditional embroidery techniques, turning the national cultural heritage into the central artistic motif of the exhibition, which features masters from over 100 countries.
Look Concept and the Tree of Life Symbol
The «Spadok» look is dedicated to Ukraine's cultural heritage, the strength of ancestry, and the connection between generations. Its central symbol is the Tree of Life, which in Ukrainian tradition personifies life and the memory of ancestors. According to the author's vision, black silk symbolizes the Ukrainian land, while lace embroidery represents light and hope for the future. The designer accompanied the presentation by stating that the country is defending not only its territory and people, but also its culture and identity, and that the world should speak about Ukraine «through the language of art, music, and design».
Three Parts of the Outfit and the Reinterpretation of Traditions
The outfit consists of three parts: a white slip dress, a black silk cape, and an embroidered belt. The lower part is adorned with openwork mesh and colored stripes inspired by traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts. The cape reinterprets the traditional Ukrainian kersetka (vest) and is decorated with embroidery both on the outside and inside, while the belt is embellished with Tree of Life motifs featuring red accents. The work utilizes natural Ukrainian-produced fabrics made of linen and hemp, with all elements styled using traditional Ukrainian openwork embroidery.
Five Working Days Instead of Three to Four Weeks
Participants in the project were given three to four weeks to create their looks; however, due to logistical difficulties in Ukraine, Polonets' team had only one week to complete the work and ship the costume to Bangkok. The workflow was further complicated by Russian shelling and power outages, which affected access to the workshop and logistics. According to the designer, thanks to the cohesive efforts of a ten-person team—pattern makers, an embroidery designer, tailors, embroiderers, and production managers—the exclusive look was created in five working days, and to ensure the outfit arrived in Thailand on time, it was dispatched ahead of schedule.
Exhibition Conditions and the Future of the Outfit
Each exhibition participant received five meters of handmade black silk; in Thailand, this color is traditionally associated with mourning. According to the project's rules, half of the look had to be created from this exact material, while the rest utilized local fabrics incorporating the cultural elements of the participant's country. After the exhibition concludes, the designer outfit will remain in Thailand, after which it may be donated to a museum associated with the royal family. Polonets also plans to develop the «Spadok» motifs in future capsule collections.
The Journey of the POLONETS Brand on the International Arena
For Oksana Polonets, this is her second participation in such an international project: in 2018, at the invitation of the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand, she presented a collection made of Thai silk, marking Ukraine's first participation in the event. The POLONETS brand specializes in signature outfits in a national style, exploring authentic ornaments from various regions of Ukraine and adapting traditional motifs to modern fashion. The designer's works have previously been showcased at international diplomatic and charitable events across Europe, Asia, and North America.
