Ukrainian Fashion Week-ი სამოდელო საზოგადოების წარმომადგენლებს მიმართავს

Dear international fashion community,

We are a Ukrainian Fashion Week team and today we are writing to you on behalf of all the Ukrainian fashion industry – designers, models,  stage directors, seamstresses, PR professionals, artists, photographers, graphic designers, creatives, and all the other fashion professionals.

On these dark days, we ask for your urgent support and loud voice!

The world has been following the catastrophic circumstances that are unfolding in our country. The outcomes speak for themselves; more than 2000 civil people are dead. The biggest country of Europe has become a zone of war, death, and pain, a zone of unjustified aggression. More than 900,000 people crossed the borders of Ukraine. We appeal to the global fashion community to support a Ukrainian democracy that protects us and the rest of the free world from Russia.

Fashion has always been the biggest, the loudest platform to stand for human rights and democratic values. It stands for inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, and freedom of expression. We believe that your voice can make a difference, and will help the whole creative world to pay attention to the situation in Ukraine right now. We believe that only together we can stop the Russian attack and save people’s lives.

Ukrainian Fashion Week appeals to all partner communities, national and international.

Please join us in this conversation with the world, and share it with others. We hope to inspire deeper and broader support for Ukraine and increase pressure to stop Russian aggression.
The responsible business has a big role to play in motivating Russians to act in order to stop the criminal actions of their leadership. As we have seen from the early impact of sanctions and the actions of companies like Apple, Adidas, FIFA, Spotify, and many others, the business community can be a powerful force for good.

Here are 5 ways that you can help.

1.
Ban Russia

If you are a responsible business appalled by the Russian atrocities, the most effective way to make the statement is to stop any cooperation with the invader: divest, exit the Russian market, stop serving Russian customers, ban Russian companies from participation in your professional community and the global economy. Economic measures are the language any business understands and feels. We need to speak their languages for them to listen.

2.
Be the voice of truth

Inform your customers and social media subscribers about the war in Ukraine and ask them to voice their support online, protest against the war, and boycott Russia. Put up a banner, create a newsletter, record a video – disseminate the truth, and rally support for Ukraine! The more people are aware of what is going on in Ukraine, the sooner it will be able to defeat the aggressor.

3.
Fundraise for Ukraine

You can offer your customers to buy a specific fundraising product or service, or donate funds to the charity organization that supports relief for Ukrainians. Here are some possible donation options for you to consider.

Be Elon Musk

If your product or service can be useful to Ukraine in these difficult times, please supply it to the country as aid. Sports and tourist equipment, medicines and medical devices, housing and food supplies, toiletries and personal hygiene products, baby formula, and baby care products are just some of the needs that have been voiced. If you produce digital products or services – consider providing them to Ukrainians free of charge.

4.
Hire Ukrainians

You can provide additional income to gig workers from Ukraine, even if you are located across the globe. If you use freelance services – hire Ukrainians and support them with income in these difficult times.

5.
Campaign internally

If you are an employee, you can organize a grassroots campaign and lobby your senior management for decisive action. Attached is a template of a letter you can send to your management. Mobilize your colleagues from Ukraine and around the world to send a similar letter as well. The more letters your leaders receive, the more likely they are to take action.

Every person, every business, every organization has a role to play in stopping this ruthless, unwarranted, and unprovoked invasion that threatens peace in the whole world.

We need your voice and your support the most during Paris Fashion Week.

With all our beliefs in humanity,

Ukrainian fashion community.


#standwithukraine