Lifeline to Ukraine - Support Ukrainian Artists on the Frontlines
UPDATE: #1 Need at the Moment are Solar Powered Generators for Hospitals, Defense Units & Civilians
Handcrafted Men’s Clothing & Accessories
Since the Revolution of Dignity (2014), hundreds of young Ukrainians started businesses in all areas — food, wineries, fashion, and so much more. I tried to buy only Ukrainian, and found the quality to be as good if not better than in New York or Western Europe. Many of these business are on the edge of extinction, but are surviving by keeping production open and shipping internationally. For most, send a direct message on Instagram and mention that Chad the American filmmaker sent you. You’ll love the prices, the quality of the merchandise, and the feeling of knowing you are helping Ukraine to stay afloat until we can defeat the invader.
Corner - Men’s Wear
I love this place. Each piece of clothing feels so perfect on your skin. I walked in to buy some socks and came out a new man — all for a quarter of what it would have cost in New York. The company is only a few years old, founded by a few friends with great taste in the small town of Ternopil, Ukraine. Go to their Instagram and send them a DM, they will work out all the rest from there.
Yarmich - Men’s Clothes
Who hasn’t felt the shame of being under-dressed while feeding the pigs or baling hay? Look your best for your farm duties and more. Seriously, these people made my favorite coat, custom shoes (in dark blue to match my new Mazda and XX wide, to deal with my weird feet) for 3-4 times less than in New York. If you want to be funky, they have you covered. I LOVE them! Order through Instagram.
Klamra - Leather & Bronze
If you think you (or your loved ones) don’t need a baby Yoda belt buckle, you’re lost. But, I LOVE my extra long handmade bronze shoehorn which hangs near my door and doubles as a weapon to push back any intruders. Seriously, they have tons of awesome leather and metal worked items that feel like they’ll last 500 years and have a great heft and history to them. See their website.
Women’s Clothes
I don’t have as much experience with women’s clothes, but my female friends have shared these designers’ sites, and I think you will find the quality and price to be just super, and not only will you look great, you’ll keep a new generation of designers afloat during this war, since they all ship to Europe and the US. Sadly, everything is on sale.
1️⃣ Anna Yakovenko
▪️Women wear brand
▪️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annayakovenko/
▪️Website: https://annayakovenko.com/
▪️-40% on all clothing | -20% on shoes and bags
▪️10% donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
▪️worldwide shipping is available
2️⃣ Bikkstore hats
▪️Ukrainian hats brand
▪️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bikkstore_hats/
▪️Individual tailoring
▪️Worldwide shipping is available
3️⃣ SQUIRREL’S BAG
▪️Natural leather bags
▪️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squirrels_bags/
▪️Their main Instagram account got blocked, so they now have this page⬆️
▪️Worldwide shipping is available
4️⃣ THE OTHERS
▪️Shoes for women
▪️Instagram: https://theothers.com.ua/
▪️Website: https://theothers.com.ua/
▪️natural leather
▪️Worldwide shipping is available
5️⃣ Lita Jewelry
▪️Unique jewelry made of minerals
▪️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lita_jewelry/
▪️Website: https://litajewelry.com/
▪️Workshop located in Kyiv
▪️Worldwide shipping is available
Всі Свої - “All by Us”
Finally, one of my favorite stores in Kyiv is “Vsi Svoi” (“All by Us” is a rough translation). After the 2014 revolution, young creative Ukrainians stopped fleeing to the West and started creating ceramic shops, clothing, rugs, lamps, puzzles, basically everything imaginable — but made by Ukrainian hands. It’s an amazing store, and I believe they are shipping abroad. This is why Ukraine is unique: not only because of a commitment to democracy and rooting out corruption (on ongoing battle), but also because of a newfound pride in their creative and constructive abilities that represents a huge shift from the Soviet mindset. To wander through these two stores (one for clothes, one for everything else, on the main street, Khreshatik), is to see where Ukraine is going and why Putin wants to destroy it.
https://vsisvoi.ua/