«It’s time to change ourselves in a better way », interview to an Ukraine designer

In recent days, the editorial staff of nss magazine had come into contact with the Ukrainian designer Anna Osmekhina to interview her about the latest collection of her brand TTSWTRS. In light of these tragic events, we decided to use this opportunity to provide our readers with a first-hand account of the situation and offer Anna Osmekhina the nss magazine platform to be able to express her feelings and concerns as well as to launch an appeal to the entire fashion community. 

She provided us with this useful link for anyone who wanted to donate and contribute to the cause of the country.

First of all, are you currently safe? Are you still in Ukraine or abroad? 

To my great regret I am not in Ukraine. A four-day business trip to Spain turned out to be a trap, the war started the day I had to leave Spain and come home. My family and TTSWTRS team are in Kyiv. Every 2 minutes they’re receiving air-raid warnings, no one is safe. I’m scanning the news 24/7 to know what is happening in my country.

Anna Osmekhina

Anna Osmekhina

Anna Osmekhina

Anna Osmekhina

What can you tell us about the situation in the country? How are things like in the streets? 

The situation is terrifying. Cities are destroyed, people sitting in the bomb shelters, where food and water is going to end soon. Bombs and rockets directed by the Russian government attack cities, homes, residental areas, hospitals, kindergartens and so much more. Russian troops bombard cars of people with children who are trying to evacuate. They shoot queues at the train station, where hundreds of people are trying to escape. In the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv the occupants dropped cluster bombs with ‘Lepestok’ mines. These mines were prohibited by the Geneva Convention after seeing the devastating effects this weaponry caused during the 20th century. The mines are the size of a person's finger and are powerful enough to blow someone's leg off if they step on it. This is happening right now. My friends and family are scared to death, sitting in bomb shelters.  The most frightening events are happening right now, the scariest time in our nation's life.

Pro-Ukraine manifestations at Milan Fashion Week FW22 / Source: @styledumonde

Pro-Ukraine manifestations at Milan Fashion Week FW22 / Source: @melodiejeng

Pro-Ukraine manifestations at Milan Fashion Week FW22 / Source: @chiara.catalano.coccodrive

Pro-Ukraine manifestations at Milan Fashion Week FW22 / Source: @voguemagazine

What are the most immediate effects that this military attack is bringing to the country? 

Cities and infrastructure have been destroyed, people are dying. Russian military forces blatantly fired cluster munitions from multiple rocket launchers, the “Grad” systems, with civilian villages near Chernihiv as their target. Dozens of houses were damaged, some completely destroyed. There are still shells that did not explode and subsequently pose a threat to anyone in the area. All we can think about now is the survival of ourselves and our loved ones.  All of the businesses, including fashion ones, are working as communication clusters to spread the information, and also support the army and people financially. 

How do you think this historical moment will affect your work as a designer? 

I have never seen such unity as Ukraine has shown in my entire life. It is time to change ourselves in a better way. In a way where there is more graciousness, kindness and courage.  We have shown the world what solidarity and braveness are, what the real fighting for our freedom and future is. It has forever changed every Ukrainian, including me. It has radically changed me as a person and as a designer, too. All industries will focus on the necessity of freedom and the benefits of unity. These two components will be a part of our future forever.

What’s the message you want to spread to our readers and the wider fashion community?

The whole nation has changed. We’ll never be the same again, but the strength and solidarity of Ukraine will revive our homeland. We will rise from the ashes and change the world to make everyone more united, more consolidated, unbound and gracious. I ask the International Fashion Community to take the toughest measures against Russia, I ask you to spread the word, to go to the streets with demonstrations in support of Ukraine. Together we can stop the aggressor who is carrying the lives and future of an entire nation. Ukrainians are now fighting not only for themselves but for Europe, and for the whole world. We will not allow the aggressor to gain our beloved home! The truth is on our side, on the side of unbroken people who are defending their Freedom, Lives and Future. Ukraine will win! 

Anyone wishing to make donations to the Ukrainian cause can turn to supportukrainenow.org, which Anna Osmekhina pointed out to us.