Despite the political upheaval in Ukraine, Kiev’s fashion scene has been thriving. In March, Kiev held Fashion Week in the midst of beautiful Byzantine churches and wartime debris. And Vogue Ukraine, which made its debut in March of last year, designated Kiev as a world fashion capital. The city’s street fashion has also been featured everywhere from W to T Magazine, and next year, we'll be stocking designers from Ukraine including Bevza, Litkovskaya, and Masha Reva.
At the heart of it all is Olimpia Whitemustache––DJ, model, stylist, and all around it-girl. Name a Ukrainian designer, photographer, or model and, most likely, she knows them (okay, so maybe you can’t name one, but soon you may be able to). With striking snow-queen locks and a name that attracts immediate attention, Olimpia has turned living itself into a fashion statement. She gave us the rundown on what life is like these days for a Ukrainian it-girl and how the fashion community has responded to the country’s tense political situation.
AUSTEN ROSENFELD: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
OLIMPIA WHITEMUSTACHE: My name is Olimpia. I live in a city that no longer needs to be explained because of the political situation in the country: Kiev. As for work, I would call myself a stylist. But this is not my only occupation. I often DJ, and also model.
Is Whitemustache your real last name?
Whitemustache is the translation of my last name Belous, [which] is quite classic in Ukraine. One day my English teacher translated my surname from Ukrainian, and I thought that this is cool.
Who have you modeled and styled for? Where do you DJ?
I worked as a model with many Ukrainian designers, as well as some foreign designers such as Annette Görtz, Charlie Le Mindy, etc. Once I was literally "picked up on the street," as I passed the model casting for the Costume National fashion show at MBFW Kiev. As for DJing, I mostly play at fashion events.
How has the political turmoil in Kiev affected the fashion industry? Has anything changed?
Of course! The patriotic spirit awoke in humans' hearts. Undoubtedly, this was reflected in fashion shows in March, in the use of symbols [such] as the Ukrainian yellow-blue flag, embroidered shirts, and an interpretation of the Ukrainian national anthem as the music for the show. Designers were showing their support for Ukrainian independence in different ways. I know that some of them were sewing armored gilets for the warring people in Maidan.
How has it changed your work and daily life?
Winter has all been in vain in Kiev. Work was scarce, and the mood was tense since the military conflict began in the capital of Ukraine. It should be noted that Russian and foreign customers have almost ceased to cooperate. I can understand them, because there is no guarantee that the work will be done in a country where there is war.
What was it like growing up in Kiev?
Kiev is a stunning city. I didn't have a super idea to relocate to another country. I was born at the turn of the collapse of the Soviet Union; it was a difficult time. And, I grew up in a bad district of Kiev. So, [it was] not so easy to live; you were always fighting with something. For example, with incomprehension. But this [environment] raised me
At the heart of it all is Olimpia Whitemustache––DJ, model, stylist, and all around it-girl. Name a Ukrainian designer, photographer, or model and, most likely, she knows them (okay, so maybe you can’t name one, but soon you may be able to). With striking snow-queen locks and a name that attracts immediate attention, Olimpia has turned living itself into a fashion statement. She gave us the rundown on what life is like these days for a Ukrainian it-girl and how the fashion community has responded to the country’s tense political situation.
AUSTEN ROSENFELD: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
OLIMPIA WHITEMUSTACHE: My name is Olimpia. I live in a city that no longer needs to be explained because of the political situation in the country: Kiev. As for work, I would call myself a stylist. But this is not my only occupation. I often DJ, and also model.
Is Whitemustache your real last name?
Whitemustache is the translation of my last name Belous, [which] is quite classic in Ukraine. One day my English teacher translated my surname from Ukrainian, and I thought that this is cool.
Who have you modeled and styled for? Where do you DJ?
I worked as a model with many Ukrainian designers, as well as some foreign designers such as Annette Görtz, Charlie Le Mindy, etc. Once I was literally "picked up on the street," as I passed the model casting for the Costume National fashion show at MBFW Kiev. As for DJing, I mostly play at fashion events.
How has the political turmoil in Kiev affected the fashion industry? Has anything changed?
Of course! The patriotic spirit awoke in humans' hearts. Undoubtedly, this was reflected in fashion shows in March, in the use of symbols [such] as the Ukrainian yellow-blue flag, embroidered shirts, and an interpretation of the Ukrainian national anthem as the music for the show. Designers were showing their support for Ukrainian independence in different ways. I know that some of them were sewing armored gilets for the warring people in Maidan.
How has it changed your work and daily life?
Winter has all been in vain in Kiev. Work was scarce, and the mood was tense since the military conflict began in the capital of Ukraine. It should be noted that Russian and foreign customers have almost ceased to cooperate. I can understand them, because there is no guarantee that the work will be done in a country where there is war.
What was it like growing up in Kiev?
Kiev is a stunning city. I didn't have a super idea to relocate to another country. I was born at the turn of the collapse of the Soviet Union; it was a difficult time. And, I grew up in a bad district of Kiev. So, [it was] not so easy to live; you were always fighting with something. For example, with incomprehension. But this [environment] raised me