The Ukrainian designer is living through the worst times of uncertainty at the moment. He was supposed to be in Berlin showing his collection. However, it wasn’t possible due to the war in his home country. After the team behind Fashion Revolution Germany and multiple volunteers offered to sew the collection from scratch in Berlin, Jean Griftsfeldt’s vision could come alive today in Berlin.
Jean Gritsfeldt has been an inherent part of the Ukrainian fashion week and is the fastest growing fashion brand locally. The designer from Kyiv is renowned for his multi-layering, eccentric symbiosis of colour and texture, bold and original solutions in the cut. Due to the war in Ukraine Jean Gritsfeldt decided to not show his originally designed collection. “When you hide from bombs in shelters, subways or basements, no one cares what you are wearing. The only thing that matters is that you are alive”, the designer explained his decision.
“The words “How are you?” Is an everyday ritual, “Alive” is the answer you need to hear.”
The designer stated that for him fashion is always a look towards the future. He showed simple clothes with strong messages. Words like “New Life”, “Unity” and “Independence” were written over the looks. It seemed like a wish for the future. This collection was about feelings and emotions.
The strongest statement was a model covered in red paint, wearing a two piece that used to be white, covered in red paint as well, symbolizing blood. Her shirt said “Peace”.
With the clothes comes a message, the most important one in times like these: “In times of uncertainty, the support for one another has never been so crucial. We must do what we can to help – not only in material efforts but also with our platforms and through our actions.“
Jean Griftsfeldt closed his show with a presentation of images of the current state in Ukraine, photographs of people fleeing, soldiers holding up children, trying to help them get rescued. It then went back to images that were showing the evolution and history of Ukrainian culture, showing what will be lost if this war will continue or even worse will be lost.
If you want to support the people suffering from the war in Ukraine, you can join our donation to Caritas.
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Words by Lea Egerer