Fashion house DZHUS paid homage to the plight of Ukrainian refugees when creating its Autumn Winter 2023 collection, which includes multifunctional clothing pieces clad with pockets.
Called Transit, the most recent collection by Ukrainian brand DZHUS features metamorphosing garments in monochrome hues that were designed to transform from one item of clothing to another.
For example, one piece is a grey, ribbed maxi dress with an exaggerated hood that can be reshaped into an angular cape by adjusting a selection of zips.
One piece is a maxi dress with an exaggerated hood
DZHUS founder Irina Dzhus told Dezeen how the collection was informed by the forced evacuation faced by millions of Ukrainians since Russia invaded the country on 24 February 2022. "The Transit collection is saturated with symbolism, communicating the painful changes my countrymen had to undergo during the mass evacuation process and their further refugee reality," said the designer.
"Having lost everything in multiple cases, our heroic people have managed to preserve their identity."
Another eclectic garment takes cues from guardian angels and bulletproof vests
Another garment ? the collection's "signature look" ? is a boxy white jacket with an optional hood that, contrastingly, references the imagery of both guardian angels and bulletproof vests.
"The jacket's panels, covered with pockets, open as wing-like oversized sleeves," explained Dzhus.
The Transit collection ...