Tradition Meets Contemporary Elegance: Gunia Project at Ukrainian Fashion Week

As the lights dimmed inside Kyiv’s historic Golden Gate, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. For Gunia Project’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, the scene was set for something much deeper than just a fashion show - it was a cultural reawakening. Designers Nataliya Kamenska and Maria Gavryliuk did not merely present clothes; they wove a narrative of tradition and modernity, showing the world how Ukrainian heritage can seamlessly blend with contemporary aesthetics. This show was not just about fashion, it was about identity.

REINTERPRETING CLASSIC UKRAINIAN WEDDING RITUALS

The heart of Gunia Project’s collection was deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Ukrainian wedding ceremonies. Titled Viltse, the collection reimagined these rituals with a modern twist. Weddings, a symbol of unity and cultural continuity, were the perfect metaphor for Ukraine’s strength and resilience, especially in the current turbulent times. The show was an immersive theatrical performance, blending live choral music with a fashion narrative that evoked powerful emotions. The ceremony-inspired procession unfolded on the runway like a timeless story being told anew, offering a reverence for the past while embracing a progressive future.

MARRIAGE OF CRAFT AND INNOVATION

A masterclass in the delicate art of reinterpretation, Gunia Project’s SS25 collection honoured Ukraine’s rich artisanal heritage with its intricate embroidery. Yet it was the sleek, contemporary silhouettes that truly brought the designs to life, blending tradition with modern sophistication. While staying true to their cultural roots, the pieces exuded a distinctly modern elegance. Linen, cotton, and silk dominated the collection, giving the garments an airy, ethereal quality. The collection was based on minimalist shapes in an earthy colour palette, featuring soft white and muted beige tones — a nod to the nature that plays a central role in traditional Ukrainian weddings.

The understated elegance of the garments belied the complex craftsmanship behind them. Each piece felt like a bridge between the ancient and the modern — embroidered motifs reminiscent of vintage dowry chests sat alongside sleek, contemporary tailoring, a metaphor for how tradition can exist alongside innovation in harmony.

JEWELLERY TAKES CENTRE STAGE

No Ukrainian wedding is complete without the bride’s jewellery, and the Gunia Project followed the tradition. Bold and unapologetically grand, oversized necklaces and chandelier earrings, were heavily influenced by the adornments of traditional Ukrainian brides but reimagined for the modern woman. These pieces, crafted with intricate precision, did not just complement the outfits — they told a story of heritage and history. The jewellery was a vital part of the collection, acting as both ornament and talisman, connecting the past to the present with a strong symbolic thread.

CULTURAL STATEMENT

Gunia Project’s SS25 collection was much more than a fashion show — it was a cultural statement. Kamenska and Gavryliuk proved once again that fashion at its best can be both deeply personal and universally resonant, a balance between past and future, tradition and innovation.

As the show came to an end, the message was clear: the Ukrainian creative community is not just surviving in these difficult times — it is thriving, evolving, and continuing to inspire. After all, fashion is a powerful vehicle for cultural expression, a medium through which the world can witness not only the beauty of a nation but also its strength.

Text: Greta Gasparyan

Courtesy: Gunia Project