On May 12, 2025, students of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion at Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design had a unique opportunity to engage with Valerii Rybas – one of Ukraine’s leading experts in garment manufacturing, co-founder of the country’s only thread factory, LLC “Barva,” and director of the company “TK-Furnitura.”
Valerii Rybas shared his personal journey in the light industry, which began in 1992. His career spans over three decades of hands-on experience, innovation, experimentation, and the practical application of new technologies in sewing thread production. During the lecture, he guided the audience through a detailed analysis of the Ukrainian thread market in the post-Soviet era and described the establishment of a domestic production facility capable of competing with leading European brands.
Particular attention was given to the technological properties of threads, including Mr. Rybas’s introduction of the concept of the “thread octane number” – a parameter indicating a thread’s capacity to perform efficiently under high operational loads. Through numerous experiments, it was demonstrated that the interaction between thread, needle, and fabric plays a crucial role in determining the overall quality of a stitched seam.
Beyond technical insights, Mr. Rybas also addressed the strategic pivot toward the domestic market and the importance of fostering consumer trust in Ukrainian-made products. One of the most compelling parts of his lecture was the presentation of real-world examples, where the use of the “right” thread led to a 30% increase in production efficiency and substantial cost savings, amounting to tens of thousands of hryvnias, for various enterprises.
As Mr. Rybas emphasized, “When we think of garment manufacturing, we typically consider fabrics, models, and designers. But there is another equally important component – the thread. Its quality affects not only the seam’s appearance but also the product’s durability, the wearer’s comfort, worker efficiency, and even business profitability”. He highlighted that threads with a higher “octane number” can increase productivity by 30-40%, reduce defect rates, and lessen the physical strain on sewing machine operators. For example, switching from low-cost staple threads to reinforced threads resulted in an increase of 100 additional pairs of slippers produced per shift.
Currently, the “Barva” thread factory offers a palette of approximately 380 thread colors and provides fast, custom dyeing services. Drawing on its extensive experience, the company has developed objective criteria for selecting sewing threads, achieving a balance between economic efficiency and technological effectiveness.
This dynamic and insightful presentation served not only as a valuable educational resource but also as an inspiring example for students. It clearly demonstrated how persistence, critical thinking, and a commitment to quality can lead to the creation of a successful domestic business, one capable of making a significant impact on the fashion industry.
The Faculty of Arts and Fashion expresses its sincere gratitude to Valerii Rybas for his inspiration, expertise, and generous willingness to share his experience. We are confident that the knowledge gained will serve as a strong foundation for shaping the professional outlook of future specialists in the fashion and consumer industries – an essential contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine’s post-war economy.
19.05.2025
