On 8-9 August, SUMMER WEEKEND by OFD 2026 took place in Odesa. The annual summer project by the Odessa Fashion Day team brought together Ukrainian designers, fashion brands, emerging creatives, representatives of education, media and the professional community. This year’s season was defined not only by the collections presented, but also by the circumstances in which the team had to make it happen.
Over two days, events were held at MarAmax Academy and the Botanical Garden of Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University. The programme brought together presentations, runway shows featuring summer and cruise collections by Ukrainian designers and brands, as well as the work of a new generation of the Ukrainian fashion industry.
The first day took place on 8 August. But during the night of 8 to 9 August, ahead of the main programme at the Botanical Garden, Odesa and the surrounding region came under a large-scale combined missile and drone attack.
After a difficult night, the organising team led by Odessa Fashion Day producer Oleh Shkilniuk seriously considered cancelling the second day of the event.
The decision to continue preparations was made collectively. Designers, team members and participants were ready to come together and work.
The following day, designers arrived at the Botanical Garden with their collections, joined by models, make-up artists, stylists, photographers, media representatives, partners and guests.
SUMMER WEEKEND by OFD continued.
Not because the circumstances had become easier, but because over the years of full-scale war, Ukraine’s creative industry has learned to work in a reality where the decision to keep creating requires enormous strength in itself.
This season became very personal for us. Until the very last moment, we did not know whether we would be able to hold it at all. First because of the challenges of financing an independent project, and then because of what happened in Odesa the night before.
After a night like that, the question was no longer about organising a fashion event. The question was whether we had the moral and physical strength to continue. And the answer came from the people themselves.
The designers were ready to come. The team was ready to work. The models, make-up artists, stylists and photographers all showed up.
For me, this is exactly where the strength of Ukrainian fashion lies today. We do not romanticise the conditions in which we work. But we do not want to allow those conditions to take away Ukrainian designers’ ability to create, develop and be seen,
Kostiantyn Lieontiev, founder of Odessa Fashion Day.
Two Days of Ukrainian Fashion in Odesa
On 8 August, the season opened at MarAmax Academy with a presentation by the Ukrainian designer brand DeClassic.
The brand, created by designer Anastasiia Mykytyn, works within contemporary designer wear, combining traditional tailoring with modern conceptual fashion and reinterpreting the classic women’s suit through deconstruction, form and an individual vision of contemporary elegance.
The musical atmosphere for the evening was created by DJ esvyato, Maryna Shtelmashuk.
On 9 August, SUMMER WEEKEND by OFD continued at the Botanical Garden of Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University, where Ukrainian designers and brands presented their summer and cruise collections.
The season featured PANACEA, LUMÉA, Yankovska Helen & Lady Forever, Soul Swim, PODOLSKA, Nimble Scissors and KEOSMY by yesundress.
Another important part of the programme was the continuation of Odessa Fashion Day’s collaboration with the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design.
Emerging designers almaz.wear, WYN and Kenzir Eugene presented their work alongside established brands, continuing one of OFD’s key missions: to provide a first professional platform for the new generation of Ukrainian fashion.
More Than a Fashion Event
SUMMER WEEKEND by OFD was launched in 2014 as a separate cruise and summer project by the Odessa Fashion Day team. Over more than eleven years, it has become a traditional part of Odesa’s fashion life.
Its purpose remains unchanged: to discover new names, support Ukrainian designers and manufacturers, create connections between fashion, education, media and business, and at the same time integrate contemporary Ukrainian design into Odesa’s cultural landscape.
In 2026, this mission took on another dimension.
Today, producing independent cultural and fashion projects in Ukraine requires not only professionalism, but also significant personal commitment from the teams behind them.
Part of the work on SUMMER WEEKEND by OFD was made possible through the time, resources and personal dedication of the people who continue to support the project and its designers.
The Odessa Fashion Day team does not seek to romanticise the difficult circumstances in which the Ukrainian fashion industry is working today.
On the contrary, it is important to speak honestly about their real cost.
Behind every collection, every model’s runway appearance, every photograph and every show are people who continue to work through war, uncertainty and limited resources.
And perhaps this became one of the most important outcomes of SUMMER WEEKEND by OFD 2026.
After one of the most difficult nights of the summer, Odesa woke up. And Ukrainian fashion continued to create.
Season Partners
Venues: the Botanical Garden of Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University and MarAmax Academy.
Exclusive partner: Sady Peremohy Luxury Gallery.
Educational partner: Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design.
Image partners: Ultimate Trend Store and Totalite Model Agency.
Media partners: FASHION, Best People Club, FABIOS Magazine, ЧАС ПЕРШИХ, ABSURDU.NET, BUT.IN.UA, Culture Trend, TrueUa, EPOQUE Magazine, GLORY magazine, GOSSIP magazine, Lucky Ukraine, Super Lady magazine, TOUCH magazine, Studio of My Dreams, Cool’baba, Collaboration Magazine, Фаворит, Odesa Media and PROMINENT MAGAZINE.
International partner: London Fashion Day.
The SUMMER WEEKEND by OFD team expresses its gratitude to the designers, models, make-up artists, stylists, photographers, media, partners, guests and everyone who helped make this season possible.
