— It was my close friend, the Ukrainian writer Marta Hai. I was 12 and she was 55 when we met. She was a member of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, a Ukrainian poet, writer, and journalist. Having been repressed three times, she remained strong, stylish, and deeply Ukrainian. I used to come to her every day after school, and we had been talking about Ukraine, about traditions, about women who did not give up. Her image is the first and strongest muse of my creative path.
Gorsset is a modern voice of ukrainian culture
Оksana UNYTSKA is a Ukrainian designer, co-founder of the Gorsset brand, which combines traditional Ukrainian techniques with modern minimalism. She creates collections using quilting, appliqués and embroidery on wool, silk and organza.
— Mrs. Oksana, who instilled in you a love for everything Ukrainian?
— Could you tell us in more detail how the Gorsset brand came about?
— We founded it together with my daughter Anastasiia Klymchuk, a folklorist by education. She studied Ukrainian heritage at Taras Shevchenko University and now translates it through a modern vision of fashion. At Gorsset, we combined our voices – my sense of style and her deep knowledge of culture. This combination has become the brand’s DNA. We don’t copy tradition, we reinterpret it. Each collection has a cipher from the past – but presented in the language of the future. We have restored the ancient technique of quilting – hand stitching of fabric, which was previously used in folk costumes.
— What fabrics do you use to make Gorsset clothes?
— Today we use it on exquisite materials: silk, wool, organza, creating complex textures. Gorsset clothes are not just stylish – they give a woman a sense of confidence, status, and sophistication. These are things that cannot be repeated. We also use embroidery, applique, and decorative elements to create unique patterns. Our ornaments are symbols that are read not with the eyes, but with the heart. Women from all over the world who wear Gorsset tell me: “Your clothes make me feel like myself”, or: “This is mine! I felt it right away! There is energy in these clothes”, or: “I’ve been stopped on the street to ask what brand it is”. And this is the highest praise for me. Ukrainian style doesn’t need loud words – it’s obvious! Gorsset today is an international story, but with a very personal meaning.
— Where have you already presented your Gorsset clothing collections?
— On the catwalks of Ukraine and Europe, including London Fashion Day, Cannes Film Festival, and forums in Berlin and Prague. Gorsset was one of four Ukrainian brands invited to present their collections as an example of contemporary art on 15 May in London. The event was organised by the Estonian Embassy in the UK to raise funds for Ukraine – a fashion show and auction dinner #walk4ukraine with the guest of honour, Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The event raised over £50,000 for Ukraine. And this event only confirmed that the world is ready to listen to Ukraine – ours, authentic, deep, without compromise. The world does not yet fully understand the power of Ukrainian fashion. But we know for sure: it is here. And it is loud.