The vyshyvanka, an embroidered shirt, is described as the most recognisable part of Ukrainian national costume.
Colour, pattern and region
Embroidery in present-day Ukraine is said to appear as early as the fifth century BC in Scythian art. Style is largely determined by region, so a viewer could often tell where a wearer came from. Black, red and white are the basic colours, with yellow, blue and green as supplements, and the patterns are believed to protect the wearer. Traditional thread was dyed with natural sources such as bark, leaves, flowers and berries.
Vyshyvanka Day and the catwalk
Vyshyvanka Day began in 2006 at Chernivtsi National University, started by student Lesia Voroniuk. It is held on the third Thursday of May, when many people wear the shirt to express national identity. The garment has reached international fashion too: at Paris Fashion Week in 2015, designer Vita Kin showed vyshyvanka-inspired pieces, and in 2016 The Times called the shirt that summer’s most sought-after item.
Sources: Wikipedia: Vyshyvanka, Wikipedia: Ukrainian clothing.
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