Ukrainian fashion designer Jean Gritsfeldt is scheduled to present his AW 22 collection on March 16 at 20:30 during MBFW Berlin at Kraftwerk. Due to the crisis in Ukraine, it will be difficult or impossible for the designer to be present for his show. Jean Gritsfeldt has designed statement pieces that were sewn by volunteers in Berlin. He hopes to show resilience in the face of adversity during this most difficult time.
Jean Gritsfeldt is currently in Kyiv, therefore the AW22 collection will be presented at a later time. However, his March 16 show will go on and will be presented on models wearing his statement pieces. In a social media call to action many volunteers in Berlin came forward to sew clothes with his statements that serve to unify and spread his messages to the world.
Jean Gritsfeldt's statement:
"Let's not forget about the reality of the present. Fashion is not used to overlook what is happening in the world. Our responsibility is to act in solidarity against his war because when you don’t act you say "yes" to the war. If you don’t act, you are responsible for this war.
Follow us, support our actions while we continue doing our job as artists and creators. Every single second of silence leads to more innocent victims.
We believe in our victory and we believe in our country. Our mission today is to speak loud, to raise awareness, to disseminate the flow of information, and to use all resources and platforms possible.
Today is not the time to talk about fashion but through fashion. Today we will not show the AW22 new season collection. Today we do not show new looks because when you sit in a bomb shelter, or a dugout, or a basement nobody cares what you wear. The main thing is to feel warm, comfortable, and protected. Today we broadcast our feelings and emotions.
Fashion is not a reflection of today, fashion always looks to the future and is years ahead. Today I use fashion as a tool and weapon to show our strength. I struggle today for the fact that tomorrow we will be free. Full of freedom for Ukraine but for all the people on planet earth. This is my strength and my mission.
I am compassionate and I love to reveal people through clothes and enhance their character. For the new season we are suggesting for people to wear their feelings and emotions as a defense, and to reveal much more than fear and hatred. A collection of the most important emotions and statements such as love and joy as the core that lead to beauty without war.
We are at war with old beliefs that we should hate, fear, and be angry about. Ukraine suffers and burns in order to remain free. Stay loving, strong, brave, and alive. Our destiny and emotions decide whether there will be a war tomorrow or not.
All people have the right to live freely and safely in their homes and on their land. The world should stand with Ukrainians and extend those values to all oppressed people so that all human life is valued.
Media, press, influencers, retail partners, bloggers, models, photographers – speak up! We are counting on you. You have supported us before and we are asking you to support us today. Stand with Ukraine. Do not be silent, use your platforms and offer your helping hands. Together we are strong. Together we win. "
About Jean Gritsfeldt
Jean Gritsfeldt is an award-winning designer from Kyiv, Ukraine with German heritage. Jean Gritsfeldt is one of the fastest-growing and most popular Ukrainian fashion brands. The brand manufactures womenswear and menswear, shoes and accessories (Pret-a-porter as well as casual wear). Gritsfeldt has been a participant in the Ukrainian Fashion Week since its inception in 2012. The brand investigates the boundaries between fashion, modeling, sculpture, and the human body, experimenting with various fabrics and patterns. Infusing the elements of haute couture in the abstract and conceptual ideas creates bizarre color and texture combinations.
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