Yasia Khomenko is Turning Clothing Scraps into Hope
In a time when the world faces much division, it is even more important to look for the good in the world. Fashion has the power to provide hope for many, and Ukrainian designer Yasia Khomenko is dedicating her work to humanitarian efforts. While fashion may get a bad wrap at times for its lack of sustainability, Khomenko is inspiring hope through her upcycled fashion creations.
COURTESY OF VOGUE
RCR Khomenko Spring 2017
Khomenko had started sewing items for the Ukrainian military to do her part after the Russian invasion. However, she noticed the large amount of clothing being donated to refugee organizations, much of which was unusable or unnecessary. This inspired Khomenko to turn the unusable into usable clothing that many refugees are in need of. Instead of sewing scraps of fabric together, Khomenko uses a method with compression technology that fuses scraps together. This process is much faster and allows for Khomenko to fuse together larger batches of scraps at one time. The end product is a mish-mash of patterns, sports jerseys, and bright colors. She often creates combinations of blue and yellow to honor the Ukrainian flag. Yasia Khomenko is quite literally turning rags into hope for the people of Ukraine. She is donating fifty percent of the profits to volunteers who are assisting elderly and disabled Ukrainians unable to move from their homes. In an interview with Vogue, Khomenko stated, “Ukraine is about destruction and reconstruction,” she said. “For so many years our culture was destroyed but we rise again and again. That is my whole practice.” Her pride and support for her country is quite evident in her work.
COURTESY OF XOMEHKO
Upcycling old garments into new creations is something Yasia Khomenko has been doing since the beginning of her career. Her graduate collection was actually made from old garments from her sister’s closet. The next year she made her debut in Kyiv at the Ukrainian Fashion Week with a collection made from curtains and tablecloths. Khomenko’s label, RCR Khomenko, was built on a foundation of innovation and sustainability. She hopes to continue turning deconstructed garments into new pieces in the future and wants people to bring her old, worn out clothes for her to craft into new creations.
RCR Khomenko Fall 2016
Khomenko’s unique designs are a mixture of simplicity and playfulness, and radiate happiness. From boyfriend style button-ups with a bold neon green smiley face across the front to colorful sweatshirts with abstract faces, Khomenko’s design can’t help but make you smile. And sometimes that’s all that we need–to smile more. Fashion has an immense influence over society, and it can have a profound impact on one’s mood. Clothing provides an outlet for creativity and positivity to shine, which Yasia Khomenko has captured in her designs. She continues to be a force of good in the world of fashion by using her artistic skills to help others.
