In a world where the notion of a third world war was once inconceivable, recent events, particularly the war in Ukraine, have thrust geopolitical tensions to the forefront. While the possibility of such a conflict remains improbable, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding not just heavy machinery and defense sectors but also the vibrant and resilient creative industry. Amidst this backdrop of uncertainty, Ukrainian fashion emerges as a beacon of creativity, resilience, and unity.
A captivating story surrounds Ukrainian fashion and entrepreneur Jen Sidary, the Founder and CEO of ANGELFORFASHION.com, an eCommerce website, showroom, and brand-building platform. The company supports Ukrainian fashion designers and helps drive global growth through strategic and innovative solutions. They represent over forty Ukrainian brands with over 2,000 products on the website to a worldwide audience. They have recently launched a wholesale, business-to-business platform on NuOrder showcasing fourteen designers to retail buyers.
Paris, the timeless epicenter of fashion and creativity, is about to experience fresh energy and innovation as it welcomes eleven outstanding Ukrainian fashion brands. These designers are set to captivate Paris with their distinctive blend of artistry and resilience. With its unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design, the Ukrainian style is gaining international recognition.
The eleven brands showcased their collections in September 2023 at New York Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week with a generous grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development. This grant program with Jen Sidary began two years ago, in September 2021. It has now showcased twenty-six Ukrainian fashion brands at seven trade events to international audiences, verifying their dedication to this creative industry.
THIS SEASON BRINGS A DIVERSE LINEUP OF FASHION BRANDS, EACH WITH ITS UNIQUE STORY AND STYLE
- My Sleeping Gypsy – A.M.G – Kachorovska – J`amemme – Bobkova
T.Mosca leads the way with its AW23-24 collection, embodying the essence of an adventurous and free-spirited woman.
KATERINA KVIT, a Ukrainian label founded in 2012, redefines leather as a second skin.
ELENAREVA’s SS’24 COLLECTION draws inspiration from the Mother Goddess cult.
Bobkova celebrates Ukrainian heritage with its mallow-inspired collection, embodying cultural reverence, sustainability, and empowerment.
A.M.G.’s ‘X’ collection empowers modern women with timeless, eco-friendly designs.
GASANOVA, a ready-to-wear fashion brand, effortlessly blends elegance with a playful twist.
The other five designers are certainly to be noticed. KACHOROVSKA, a Ukrainian shoe brand, is synonymous with comfortable, self-sufficient classic designs crafted from natural materials. GUDU’s SS24 collection showcases innovative cuts that accentuate individuality. J’AMEMME is a couture brand renowned for pure yet wearable designs characterized by architectural silhouettes and distinctive pleats. MY SLEEPING GYPSY introduces the ‘GLASS HOUSE COLLECTION,’ marrying art, architecture, and fashion in a unique blend inspired by the GLASS HOUSE by Philip Johnson. OMELIA, a Ukrainian redesign brand, celebrates the beauty of diversity.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country has shown remarkable resilience and unity in defending democratic values and resisting aggression. Ukrainian citizens have adapted their lives, work, and businesses to support their nation’s fight for freedom on a global scale.
What connects Ukraine to entrepreneur Jen Sidary, known for her solid southern Californian accent? Before her involvement with Ukraine, Sidary held exclusive positions as the President of Sales for Vivienne Westwood America and Head of Zappos Couture. While at Zappos, she facilitated a strategic alliance with the late André Leon Talley, who served as Creative Director for the website.
In 2020, amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jen Sidary worked at Informa Markets for a year. However, due to restrictions on in-person events, layoffs occurred in October. A month later, in November 2020, Sidary embarked on a life-changing journey to Ukraine, purchasing a one-way ticket to Kyiv during a pandemic when no one was traveling.
Jen Sidary initiated collaboration on several ambitious projects with the USAID Competitive Economy Program (USAID CEP) as a fashion industry expert. She consulted Ukrainian grantees and showcased Ukrainian brands at prestigious events like New York and Paris Fashion Weeks.
AngelForFashion.com results from Jen Sidary’s visionary efforts to support Ukraine’s economy during these challenging times. The platform’s inception dates back to February
