Top places for vyshyvanka shopping in Kyiv

As International Vyshyvanka Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to complement one’s wardrobe with a piece of traditional Ukrainian clothing – an embroidered shirt or dress.

This year, the holiday will be celebrated on May 17, with vyshyvanka marches taking place all over the country, and the world.

The Kyiv Post has picked some of the best Ukrainian brands and stores that offer vyshyvankas for all tastes.

Etnodim

This Ukrainian brand stocks embroidered clothing for both sexes and all ages. They offer over 50 types of embroidered shirts and over 50 types of dresses in various lengths and colors, and decorated with all kinds of ornaments – flowers and plants, geometric shapes and abstract patterns. The most expensive dress available at Etnodim is a white linen maxi dress with white embroidery, puffed sleeves and a tied waist.

Apart from that, the brand produces linen shirts for men. They offer classy designs of white shirts with red and black embroidery, as well as some modern options such as a dark blue shirt with black embroidery. Etnodim also has a wide choice of stylish clothing for children aged from 1 to 12. Customers can also accessorize their vyshyvanka outfit with some jewelry and leather shoes made by Etnodim.

Prices: embroidered dress – Hr 770-4,800, vyshyvanka for men – Hr 820-2,600

Etnodim. 58/28 Verkhnii Val St. Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat-Sun, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. +38044 222 87 55. www.etnodim.com.ua/en

Vita Kin

This Ukrainian designer hardly needs to spend money on advertising anymore, as top fashion icons from all over the world promote Vita Kin’s clothing by wearing it at all kinds of public and private occasions. U.S. actress Demi Moore, burlesque dancer, model and actress Dita Von Teese, and the vocalist from the English indie rock band Florence and the Machine, Florence Welch, are among the numerous celebrities who are Vita Kin fans.

The brand produces apparel with ethnic motifs for women. Their key clothing item is an ankle-long loose linen dress with embroidered ornaments and puffed sleeves. The designer experiments with colors and patterns – customers will find clothing made in the brightest as well as the most tender colors, with both intricate and minimalistic embroidery. The brand also offers linen shirts, trousers and shorts in the same style.

Prices: embroidered dress – Hr 19,220-56,700

Vita Kin. Ashtik (7A Lesi Ukrainky Blvd.) Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.  www.matchesfashion.com, www.vitakin.net/stockist.html

Varenyky Fashion

Although they call themselves Varenyky Fashion, the brand has nothing to do with Ukrainian traditional dish. However, they do promote Ukrainian culture and traditions. Producing apparel for men, women and children, Varenyky Fashion designers create embroidery patterns for clothing along with ethnologists, who help to incorporate ancient symbols that are believed to protect their owners.

For women, the brand offers linen shirts, dresses and jumpsuits decorated with various embroidery patterns – minimalistic geometric and large floral designs. Their embroidery symbolizes harmony, love, peace and well-being. For men, Varenyky Fashion makes traditional white shirts with decorations along the button line. Apart from that, the brand has a wide choice of stylish clothing for young fashionistas ages 6 to 14 years.

Prices: men’s shirt – Hr 7,500-9,500,  dress – Hr 5,250-22,500, children’s shirt – Hr 2,600-4,500

Varenyky Fashion. 54 Zhylianska St. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. +38063 073 0610. www.varenykyfashion.com.ua

Foberini

The brand Foberini was launched around four years ago to translate ancient Ukrainian traditions into modern clothing designs. The brand offers dresses, shirts, suits and skirts for women, as well as long-sleeve linen shirts for men. For their apparel, Foberini uses various colors that reflect the color palette of Ukrainian nature. And their embroidery is not a random combination of patterns – they use authentic Ukrainian designs. One of their best offers is an ocher linen midi dress with long, wide sleeves. The dress is decorated with black and white embroidery featuring roses, the design of which originated in Lviv region and symbolizes sun, love and beauty.

Prices: men’s shirt – Hr 3,740, dress – Hr 2,750-44,000

Foberini. 30 Anny Ahmatovoi St. Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. +38098 723 9393. www.foberini.com/en

Vilni Liudy

This brand produces modern apparel with Ukrainian embroidery, as it aims to revive forgotten traditions. Vilni Liudy offers clothing for women and men. Their dresses and shirts are mainly in natural colors such as black, white, red, blue, green and yellow. The designs are mainly loose with minimalistic embroidery on the shoulders and sleeves.

One of their most interesting options is a black linen midi dress with puffed sleeves decorated with colorful embroidery, which was created on the basis of embroidery of the Cossacks of the 17th-18th centuries. The brand also has seven kinds of men’s shirts to offer – close-fitting long-sleeved linen items are decorated with signature embroidery created by the brand.

Prices: men’s shirt – Hr 1,600-1,680, dress – Hr 1,800-2,150

Vilni Liudy. 133A Saksahanskoho St. Call in advance – +38063 567 2702. www.vvl.com.ua

Narodniy Dim Ukraine

Narodniy Dim Ukraine is one of the biggest souvenir stores in Kyiv. It sells all kinds of souvenirs, including ceramic and porcelain dishes, stuffed toys and embroidered towels, as well as traditional Ukrainian clothes. The store offers a wide choice of apparel for women, men and children by over 10 Ukrainian producers. Their linen vyshyvankas are made with various colors and traditional Ukrainian ornaments. The store also offers accessories such as jewelry and flower wreaths for the vyshyvanka look.

Prices: children’s shirt – from Hr 339; adult’s shirt – from Hr 749.

Narodniy Dim Ukraine. 4 Prorizna St. Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat-Sun, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. +38044 539 1700. nd-ukraine.com/en

Andriyivskyi Uzviz

This street, located in the center of Kyiv, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Starting from gorgeous Andriyivska Church, the charming cobbled street with two-story buildings descends to Podil. The street is often called Kyiv’s Montmartre, after the famous artists’ quarter in Paris, as numerous artists sell their works there. Apart from that, people sell souvenirs, small gifts and traditional Ukrainian clothes. While the range of goods on offer may vary depending on the day and time, on Andriyivskyi Uzviz visitors can find vyshyvankas for any budget.

Andriivskyi Uzviz St. All day long.

Vsi Svoi

Vsi Svoi is a large apparel, shoes and accessories store located on Kyiv’s main street Khreshchtyk. The retailer sells all kinds of products, from lingerie to winter coats made by Ukrainian brands. Vsi Svoi has a department with ethnic clothes for both men and women, where products by four Ukrainian brands are sold. At Vsi Svoi, visitors can find various embroidered shirts, dresses, vests and skirts.

Prices: dress – Hr 1,720-4,800

Vsi Svoi. 27 Khreshchatyk St. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. +38063 437 9933. www.vsisvoi.ua