The issues facing the people of Ukraine are near and dear to our hearts at Omaha Fashion Week. One of our beloved designers, Olha Potapenko from Potapenko & Yanchenko is originally from Ukraine and is hard at work to support those in need overseas. Please consider joining us in the financial support of the Ukrainian people during this time.
Designer Olha Potapenko and Designer’s Assistant & Translator Mariya Slipych have been involved in Omaha Fashion Week, showcasing intricately-crafted wedding gowns on the runway. Originally from Synel'nykove, Ukraine in the Dnipropetrovsk Region, the two have been hard at work providing funding for personal relatives and friends to flee Ukraine.
Olha and Mariya sat down to share their stories with us. We are deeply moved by the effects that the war in Ukraine is having on its people. Here are just a few of the stories the two shared:
“We are very low on finances because we have too many friends in Ukraine who have been directly impacted by the fighting. One friend was hurt when a missile flew into her home while everyone was inside. She suffered from three pieces of shrapnel hitting her in the stomach. She was operated on and conditions for recovery were terrible because they were in the basement of the hospital hiding from bombings. Her wounds kept opening up because of how hard the bombings would shake the building. She is better now.
Another friend was taken hostage and only let out because her son was diabetic and near death due to lack of insulin. A military doctor intervened and let them go, only to find their own way to a hospital on foot. We have helped other families evacuate. It’s a dangerous trip and they have to buy all the gas for the 20-hour trip before they leave.
In our family, a mother and two little ones are displaced in the Czech Republic right now. We are also raising money for someone who is helping evacuate orphans from Ukraine.”
Mariya Slipych during an event to raise awareness for and support Ukraine.
Financial support is still needed for the many that are displaced or are fleeing from Ukraine. Donations made directly to Olha Potapenko will be used to support various missions. To donate to the following causes, please Venmo Olha Potapenko: @potapenko
A volunteer group is housing refugees in their hometown of Synel'nykove, Ukraine in the Dnipropetrovsk Region
A non-profit organization is caring for and feeding orphans and the elderly in Dnipro, Ukraine in the Dnipropetrovsk Region
Volunteers are serving in territory defense, which is not government funded, and are in need of food and resources in Synel'nykove and Dnipro, Ukraine in the Dnipropetrovsk Region
Groups of women and their children evacuating from Ukraine are in need of lodging in other countries and are reaching out directly to Olha Potapenko
In addition, Potapenko & Yanchenko will be showcasing a collection for Omaha Fashion Week’s Fall 2022 season. Due to their personal support of friends and family, they are in need of financial support to showcase their collection. The collection will work to support Ukrainian artist who are without work right now by paying them to hand-paint gowns for the show. Funding is needed to create gowns, ship them overseas, and purchase supplies for the artists. To donate to the Potapenko & Yanchenko collection, please Venmo Olha Potapenko: @potapenko with a note that includes “OFW”.
