A Fashion Designer’s War: The Story of Natalia Poniatovska

In war-torn Kharkiv, Natalia transforms her skills from luxury clothing to life-saving military gear, stitching hope and survival into every piece she creates.

When I arrived in Kharkiv on the 5th of August, little did I know that I would encounter so many intriguing stories, so many fascinating individuals who felt like home. I met an artist who was sketching on paper, capturing the vivid circumstances and situations in the trenches of the frontline. There was someone playing during air raids, another gentleman who was once a teacher, and a lady who, also a teacher, had joined the army. Then, there was the scientist striving to ensure that the European Centre for Nuclear Research, CERN in Geneva, would understand the grave danger of allowing Russians access to scientific findings on the latest technology—findings that could be used to bolster Russia's military power and perpetuate their war. But what truly surprised me was meeting a fashion designer, a woman nearly my mother's age, yet she looked as young as my sister. Our brief introduction came courtesy of the Kharkiv Media Hub.

A Ukrainian armoured convoy moves along a deserted road, flanked by dense forests and distant fields, advancing through eastern Ukraine in August 2024. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

At first, I was skeptical. Fashion? I thought. What could a fashion designer possibly offer that would pique my interest? I had never written about fashion, nor did I understand it. Throughout my life, I’ve worn trousers until they were practically falling apart and needed replacing, sticking to the same shirts and shoes as long as they kept me dry and warm. But then they explained—this fashion designer had an extraordinary story to tell. Her business, like many others, had been affected by the war. Yet, instead of closing shop, as so many others had done, she transformed her business into something meaningful, something vital for Ukraine’s survival under these dire circumstances. She didn’t just survive; she thrived, becoming part of Ukraine’s ongoing story, helping her country in its time of need.