The fashion community signs an open letter to condemn the invasion of Russia – WWD
FASHION UNITS: 1 Granary, a global support network that connects, promotes and educates fashion graduates from universities around the world, founded by Olya Kuryshchuk, a Ukrainian Central Saint Martins graduate, published an open letter calling on “fashion companies and their leaders” to condemn the invasion and stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
The letter asks “governments to continue to apply severe sanctions and to provide aid” in order to ensure “freedom, democracy and sovereignty” of Ukraine.
1 Granary’s letter is addressed to the fashion community – and in particular high-influence fashion houses – asking them “not to be silent, to use their platforms and offer practical help”.
Some 1,350 people have signed the open letter so far, including fashion designers Christopher Kane, Kiko Kostadinov, Lutz Huelle, Richard Malone, Phoebe English, Duran Lantink and John Alexander Skelton.
Charlotte Knowles, who signed the letter alongside partner Alexandre Arsenault, shared an Instagram post declaring the brand’s support for Ukraine along with the link to 1 Granary’s open letter.
Industry heavyweights such as Caroline Rush, Angela Missoni, Sarah Mower, Susie Lau, Fabio Piras, Alister Mackie, Ellie Grace Cumming, Hugo Comte and Nick Knight have also declared their support for Ukraine by joining the petition.
Kuryshchuk said on Instagram: “Public pressure can save Ukraine. Demand that your governments shut down flight zones, apply tougher sanctions and cut Russia off from SWIFT to stop a humanitarian disaster in Europe.
“The idea of bombs falling on a European city in the 21st century is incredible. I’m afraid. I am viciously angry. But I am proud of my people and their response. A conflict that everyone thought would last for hours has already been going on for days. We must help support Ukraine. We must act now,” she added.
Olya Kuryshchuk
Courtesy
1 Granary also took to her Instagram to highlight the experiences of Ukrainian fashion talents, including fashion designer Masha Popova, who has dressed Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Billie Eilish, as well as former design director colors of Yeezy, Khrystyna Fomenko.
The two Ukrainians shared with the world the impact of the invasion on their lives and those of their loved ones, expressing their current feelings and fears.
Olga Kuzmenkova, who previously worked in independent Russian media, shared her perspective as a Russian under the age of one on Granary’s Instagram post, highlighting how “the voices of Russians against the invasion in Ukraine may seem smothered, but there are millions of Russians who want this war to stop.”
1 Granary has posted helpful information on Instagram that brands can refer to in support of Ukraine, as well as advice on how African students can flee Ukraine to Poland.