Vogue Ukraine editors on how they survived the most ‘miserable days in our lives’
In a sheer act of bravery the editors of Vogue Ukraine have described what it was like during those initial moments after the first bombs were dropped on Kyiv.
Since President Vladimir Putin of Russia invaded Ukraine, millions of people have had their lives upended. Among them are the editors of Vogue Ukraine, who in sheer act of bravery, have shared what it was like during those initial moments after the first bombs were dropped on Kyiv.
Simple utterings like “did you see the news,” “come on, it’s started” and “Kyiv is being bombed” marked the start of a harrowing couple of days for the publication’s editorial team as they began mapping out how best to survive Putin’s ordered invasion of Ukraine.
“Almost our entire editorial team was in the country at that time. Now we have found the strength to tell you about how we survived those miserable days in our lives, which began with the words: ‘We have been attacked’”, they write in the extract which can be read on Vogue Australia’s website.
While some editors managed to flee the Ukrainian capital, others had no other choice but stay and endure the unrelenting air-raid sirens reminding them they are in constant danger. “I will stay in Kyiv and I am ready to cover the war for Vogue,” says Daria Slobodyanyk, the culture editor at Vogue Ukraine.
“My boyfriend... works as a paramedic in a military hospital in Kyiv … Every day he tells me that there are not many wounded in hospital – and that’s the best news I’ve heard in the last few days.”
Iryna Volodko, the magazine’s operations manager said: “Like all of us, my correspondence now consists of frantic ‘How are you?’ At any moment, anxiety turns into nervous breakdowns and tears.”
It comes as the fashion world responds to calls to support the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, prompting fashion houses like the luxury conglomerate LVMH to pledge €5 million (about $7.6 million) to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help victims of the war. The company will also launch a fundraising campaign in support of the ICRC to facilitate the contributions of its employees across the group.
“The LVMH Group is closely monitoring the tragic situation in Ukraine and stands alongside all those severely affected by this war. The group’s first concern is the safety of its 150 employees in Ukraine and is providing them with essential financial and operational assistance,” the statement said.
An open letter penned to the industry on Tuesday asking for stronger sanctions and aid contributions has urged leaders in the field to use their platforms to amplify resources. Christopher Kane, Charlotte Knowles, Browns fashion director Ida Petersson as well as editors from iD, Dazed and The Face magazine were early signatories of the letter published by London-based magazine 1 Granary, whose editor-in-chief Olya Kuryshchuk is Ukrainian.
The letter asks fashion figures and businesses to “stand together with Ukraine and strongly condemn Russia‘s invasion” and to “not be silent” as a “trillion-dollar industry with gigantic cultural and even political influence”.
“In times of crisis, it’s easy to dismiss that power as superfluous, frivolous, tone-deaf, hypocrite [sic] or non-essential,” it read. “Wherever you are today, don’t turn your back, don’t close your eyes.”
Balenciaga became the first Paris fashion week brand to make a statement of solidarity with Ukraine, before names like Gucci and Burberry joined in on the cause. Before it’s show on Sunday, Balenciaga said it “would open our platforms in the next few days to report and relay information around the situation in Ukraine.”
Some brands, including Danish label Ganni and Hungarian brand Nanushka, have cut off their Russian revenue streams.
“We have respect for the Russian people and our partners,” said Nanushka’s CEO Peter Baldaszti. “We know this is not their decision, but it is impossible to do business with Russia based on our moral values.”