Story behind the collaboration
A vyshyvanka is a Ukrainian embroidered shirt or dress. Vyshyvankas are said to have existed in Ukraine since the fifth century, and, since then, they have become a symbol of who you are and where you come from — nothing says more about you than the vyshyvanka you are wearing.
Naturally, it was only a matter of time before the Kyiv Independent created its own. Now, our readers can show their support for our independent reporting from Ukraine by wearing their own vyshyvankas created in Kyiv.
A project this big could only come alive through collaboration with an experienced and respected embroidery brand. We chose Gaptuvalnya — a well-known, high-quality embroidery brand in Ukraine, whose designs have been spotted repeatedly on Ukraine's First Lady — to help bring it to life.
In designing our vyshyvanka, we wanted to create a pattern that combines traditional Ukrainian motifs with the Kyiv Independent's own visual identity, incorporating symbols that feel especially meaningful to us.