This September, California will host two Ukrainian Fashion Show events showcasing the Ukrainian vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt). The first will take place on September 14 at the Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles, and the second on September 20 at the Downtown Event Center in Fremont (Bay Area).
The Ukrainian Fashion Show will present the vyshyvanka in two dimensions – historical and contemporary. On the runway, audiences will see a fusion of traditional Ukrainian attire and modern design, as well as theatrical performances that bring history’s voice to life. The organizers – the Ukrainian Heritage Club of Northern California, the Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles, and the Ukrainian Support Foundation – aim to introduce Ukrainian clothing culture to a wide American audience while simultaneously raising funds to support Ukraine. All donations will go toward humanitarian programs.
Among the key participants are two figures who shape the heart of this project.
Maria Muliava – a researcher and collector of Ukrainian folk clothing – has been gathering and reconstructing authentic outfits from different regions of Ukraine for more than fifteen years. Her collection includes over 600 items, among them about 130 unique embroidered shirts. It features attire from Hutsulshchyna, Pokuttia, Bukovyna, Zakarpattia, Poltava, the Dnipro region, and Slobozhanshchyna. Maria not only collects garments but also embroiders herself, continuing the craft of her grandmother. As she explains, “Ukrainian traditional folk clothing is a hobby, a passion, and a fascination that has grown into a lifelong mission.”
Designer Roksolana Bohutska represents contemporary fashion infused with the Ukrainian code. Founder of her eponymous brand and a graduate of the Lviv National Academy of Arts, she is known for blending ethnic motifs with high fashion. Bohutska’s works have been showcased in New York, Washington, Chicago, Dubai, Vancouver, and many European cities. Among her projects are stage costumes for “Eurovision 2004” winner Ruslana and a number of Ukrainian stars. “Every vyshyvanka is not just clothing, it is a story and a hope. Through my collections I want to show how deep and rich Ukrainian culture truly is,” the designer notes.
The Ukrainian Fashion Show in Los Angeles will begin on September 14 at 1:00 PM. Guests can expect fashion collections, encounters with unique artifacts, and an opportunity to join a charitable initiative. The program will also include Ukrainian desserts, snacks, and wine. Dress code: formal. Tickets are available online at a price of $144.65.
The Fremont show on September 20 will begin at 5:00 PM at the Downtown Event Center. It will feature authentic attire from Maria Muliava’s collection alongside contemporary designs by Roksolana Bohutska. Organizers emphasize that the Ukrainian Fashion Show is a holistic cultural event, where every vyshyvanka tells its own story, and every artifact bears witness to centuries-old tradition.
The California events will serve as a logical continuation of numerous shows and exhibitions already held in Lviv, Wrocław, and other European cities. At their core is the idea of preserving national identity through clothing and presenting Ukraine as a modern European culture that remains true to its roots.
Tickets can be purchased here:
