The Renaissance Era and Upcycling — A Fashion Show of New Collections by Belarusian Designers Held in Warsaw
Three Belarusian fashion brands — Podberezko, Kucherenko, and Sudakov — presented clothing collections at a show organized by the Independent Fashion Community. Here's how it went.
This was the fourth fashion event by the Independent Fashion Community, founded by designer **Volha Kucharenka** and stylist **Hanna Pryshyvalka**.
“We really want the history of Belarusian fashion to continue to be written even in emigration, so that talented people don't leave the profession, because it happens very often — people simply need to survive, and then there's no time for creativity. I myself know many fashion photographers and designers who were very in-demand in their homeland, but in emigration, they are forced to do completely different things,” comments Hanna Pryshyvalka.
“Shows are simply essential for designers, just as it's important for actors to star in movies or for musicians to release new albums.”
Hanna Pryshyvalka, stylist
At the show, each designer presented new limited collections of 10 looks. Almost all creators, in one way or another, turned to upcycling in their work, re-sewing old items and giving them new life. Moreover, all collections differed conceptually.
“While Podberezko is more about couture, about the Renaissance era, items from Sudakov are about modern styling (and not just for women, but also for men and children). And the Kucherenko brand is traditionally conceptual design,” explains Hanna Pryshyvalka.
Items by Podberezko:
Items by Sudakov:
Items by Kucherenko:
The owner of the Sudakov brand, in addition to working on clothing, manages a modeling agency — it was his school's trainees who presented the collections on the improvised runway.
“Belarusian fashion is currently in a difficult situation. Inside the country, for obvious reasons, one has to exist in cramped conditions, in one's own bubble. In emigration, it's even harder because you start from scratch and simultaneously have to survive. But on the other hand, abroad it's easier to declare yourself, there's a chance that people will hear about you. And for this, among other things, we organize such shows. I am genuinely convinced, I know, that Belarusian creators (not only designers, but all representatives of the beauty industry) have very strong national, visual, and aesthetic codes. And if they are given the opportunity to develop, there is every chance to conquer, if not the global arena, then certainly the European one. We are all worthy of it,” concludes the stylist.
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