Ukrainian Capital Takes Up New York’s Torch of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Kyiv, October 20, 2011. The event, anticipated by the domestic and foreign designers, fashion magazines editors, fashion critics, buyers, and bloggers, has finally begun in Kyiv – the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was launched on October 19, 2011. Traditionally held twice a year in New York, Paris, London, and Milan, the international fashion event is currently debuting in the Ukrainian capital.

Defying the laws of classical fashion shows, the grand launch of the fashion week in Kyiv turned into a celebration of life through the unusual ethno-modern theatrical performance The Heart of Birch.

The Heart of Birch, produced by a Ukrainian artist Zinaida Lihacheva, presented the eternal unity of the notions of life, tree, and heart in the Ukrainian culture. Lihacheva chose this unconventional way of showcasing a clothing line to emphasize the inseparability of the basic symbols of life – a living body of nature, love, and soul – and fashion. The collection features long floaty dresses of neutral colors accessorized with heavy boots and sophisticated tree-themed jewelry. The line brings out female vulnerability and tenderness, glorified in Ukrainian folklore, while avoiding coming off as cloyingly sweet.

When the opening performance was over, the guests were invited to observe the collections by the Ukrainian designers, displayed in the VIP section of the newly opened EURO-2012 venue NSK Olimpiysky.

One of the most expected guests at the Kyiv installment of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is Jean-Pierre Braganza. He is up-and-coming British designer, currently working with Goldfrapp and Nine Inch Nails. The likes of Scarlett Johansson, Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore made the list of Braganza’s clients during his cooperation with Roland Mouret. Braganza’s collection Praxis will arrive to Kyiv directly from the London Fashion Week.

The shows of the Kyiv Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will also feature designers Lamberto Petri, Anna October, and Ksenia Schneider. The art clinics and workshops at the Week will be presented by Christopher Breward, Valerie Steele, Robb Young, Emanuele D’Angelo, Elisa Pervinca Bellini, Yvan Rodic, Barbara Coutinho, Eduarda Abbondanza, Tiago da Costa Miranda, and Daryoush Haj-Najafi.