Inspired by the pure wisdom of the mountains and the revitalizing power of water, designer Lilia Litkovska presents her new collection, UNDERWATER, exploring the idea of fashion and creativity as a clean slate to become the basis for further rebirth.
In an iconic LITKOVSKA manner, the brand presented a range of its classic designs – i.e. deconstructed masculine jackets and trousers – alongside elegant, fitted dresses.
The leitmotif and special detail of the collection were prints with an image of fish, which covered tops and shirts. In the folk tradition of many peoples of the world, including Ukrainians, fish symbolize rebirth and purification, as life always begins with water.
A dream in which one catches a fish portends the birth of a new child – or ideas, strengths, and abilities. The collection also includes several looks with scarves wrapped in a circle, symbolizing the non-linearity of time – the endless cycle of changes and reincarnations that not only the world but each of us individually experiences through life.
The fall-winter 24 collection was presented to the world as part of the official Paris Fashion Week program on February 28 in the L’eclaireur concept store. For the presentation, the brand prepared special invitations written in children’s handwriting – and the image for
it was made by the designer herself, during an ascent in the Himalayas at the start of this year. It was this trip that inspired both the collection and the presentation. There, at an altitude of several thousand meters above sea level, in a camp for climbers on the way to Annapurna, Lilia Litkovska raised the Ukrainian flag – to once again remind the world about everything that is happening in our country.
The inhabitants of the Himalayan mountains are known for their peaceful attitude, the ability to interact ecologically with everything they touch. A similar future, full of peace, kindness, and empathy, is something the designer sees for Ukraine after our victory. Traditional symbols of Himalayan culture were also integrated into the aesthetics of the fashion show, emphasizing the message. The models came out to the audience with hiking gear, holding thermoses and sleeping bags – things that help keep and share the warmth. After the show, both the models and the guests left their wishes to the universe on ribbons, which were then hung on a symbolic tree in the concept store. As a souvenir of the event, the audience received postcards created using Lilia Litkovska’s Himalayan photo diaries, with her personal wishes.
Team credits:
Styling: Goce Jovanovski
Casting: Manon Sassy
Hair stylist: Soh Kogasaka
Make-up: Yuuka Nishi
Production: Napoleon studio
Director: Sasha Stekolenko (Bureau creative lab)
Photographer: Nick Soland
Videographer: Volodymyr Kozubskyi