---
title: "Ukrainian Fashion During Wartime: Designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova on Creativity"
description: "Renowned designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova discuss the resilience of Ukrainian fashion during wartime, their early career, and 30 years of the Vorozhbyt & Zemskova brand."
date: 2026-10-22T15:02:45.371Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-fashion-wartime-vorozhbyt-zemskova
tags: [ukrainian-fashion, vorozhbyt-zemskova, fashion-designers, ukrainian-fashion-week, wartime-culture]
author: "Marina Slivenko, Darya Fomina"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainian Fashion During Wartime: Designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova on Creativity

![Ukrainian designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova during an interview for the Wave RBC-Ukraine project](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/22/ukrainskaya-moda-vremya-voyny-vorozhbit-zemskova/ukrainskaya-moda-vremya-voyny-vorozhbit-zemskova-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova have worked together for over 30 years.
- The duo stood at the origins of Ukrainian Fashion Week and are its permanent residents.
- In the interview, the designers discussed 1990s challenges and participating in international contests.
- Ukrainian fashion must live on during the war as clothing brings confidence and development.

Renowned Ukrainian designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova shared insights on the development of domestic fashion, working amidst a full-scale war, and their thirty-year creative journey in an interview with the Wave RBC-Ukraine project. The founders of the Vorozhbyt & Zemskova brand are convinced that the Ukrainian fashion industry must continue to function because clothing not only reflects cultural identity but also provides vital psychological support and confidence today.

### The Beginning of the Journey and Winning the Nina Ricci Contest

The designers' creative partnership began over three decades ago when they were studying together at an institute. During agricultural field work, the rector invited them to participate in an international sketch contest hosted by the Nina Ricci fashion house to avoid field labor. Having created joint sketches and received approval from the French side, the young authors faced a severe shortage of materials in the early 1990s.

To bring the concept to life, the rector found white leather, which the designers cut into small pieces to create an unusual texture. For this solution, they received an award for the non-standard use of materials, which became a powerful incentive to continue working together. Notably, the contest took place in Moscow, where they first encountered chauvinism and prejudice from organizers and local participants.

### Brand Establishment and First International Shows

At the beginning of their career, the designers actively participated in international projects and exhibitions, presenting their collections in France and Latvia at the 'Assembly of Indomitable Fashion' festival. Later, having gained experience and created a collection using their own funds after a trip to Bonn, they managed to complete it just in time for the launch of the first Ukrainian fashion week, then known as 'Fashion Seasons.'

A successful debut in their homeland allowed them to secure the status of permanent residents of Ukrainian Fashion Week and build a recognizable brand. According to the designers, the secret to their longevity in the profession lies in their ability to maintain balance, complement each other, and retain creative enthusiasm even through the most challenging historical periods.

### The Importance of Fashion and Industry Resilience

Today, during the full-scale war, Ukrainian fashion continues to evolve, demonstrating resilience and a high level of creativity. The designers note that domestic brands not only preserve jobs and support the economy but also continue to make their mark on the international arena, proving the immense potential of Ukrainian design.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- ["Украина всегда показывала себя классно". Дизайнеры Елена Ворожбит и Татьяна Земскова о дорогой одежде и моде во время войны](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/insider/ukrayina-zavzhdi-pokazuvala-sebe-klasno-dizaynerki-1792572311.html) - Interview with designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova on the Wave RBC-Ukraine project.

## FAQ

### How long have Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova worked together?

The designers have worked together for over 30 years, progressing from youth contests to founding the Vorozhbyt & Zemskova brand.

### How did the designers' joint creative journey begin?

Their collaboration began in the early 1990s by participating in a sketch contest by Nina Ricci, where they won an award for non-standard use of materials.

### What is the designers' view on fashion development during the war?

They believe Ukrainian fashion must live on despite everything, because clothing provides people with psychological support, confidence, and development.