On October 16, 2025, the IX International Scientific and Practical Conference of Textile and Fashion Technologies “KyivTex&Fashion” was held, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the founding of the University. The event became an important platform for dialogue and cooperation among scientists, educators, representatives of business, and state institutions.
The purpose of the conference was to discuss possible solutions to current challenges and to outline prospects for the development of the textile and fashion industries under martial law and during the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The conference was organized by Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
More than 180 participants registered for the event, presenting a wide range of reports and research topics that reflected the broad geography of the participants and the relevance of the issues discussed. The conference once again demonstrated the effectiveness of cooperation between representatives of the scientific, educational, and business communities, as well as leading organizations. It was held in a hybrid format, in compliance with established safety requirements. The organizer of the conference was the Faculty of Arts and Fashion.
The moderator of the plenary session of the conference was Natalia Ostapenko, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion at KNUTD. She introduced the members of the conference presidium and gave the floor for the grand opening to Oleksandra Olshanska, Head of the Scientific and Practical Conference, Acting Rector of KNUTD, Doctor of Economics, and Professor.
In her welcoming speech, Oleksandra Volodymyrivna greeted the participants and guests and officially opened the large-scale event. She emphasized that Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, as one of the leading higher education institutions in Ukraine, has been providing high-quality training for fashion designers, designers, and technologists in sewing, footwear, textile, and knitwear production for the light industry since 1930. Over the years, the faculty responsible for training these specialists has operated under different names, and since 2022 it has been known as the Faculty of Arts and Fashion. Ms. Olshanska also noted that the Faculty is a specialized structural unit of the University with strong human resources potential, actively expanding international cooperation in scientific and educational fields with partner higher education institutions. The Acting Rector highlighted that the foundation of the University’s image policy lies in positioning KNUTD among the leaders in the educational services market in Ukraine and abroad. She also reminded attendees about the joint project “School of Seamstresses”, implemented in 2024 by KNUTD in partnership with LLC “TK-Domashniy Tekstil”, as well as the special course for sewing mechanics and the “School of Sewing Technologists” conducted by Softorg Company at the University.
The Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation, Doctor of Economics, Professor Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko, also joined the conference. On behalf of the academic staff of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion, Natalia Ostapenko expressed sincere respect and gratitude to the University administration and the entire staff for their consistent support in developing the light industry through the work of strong scientific schools, experienced academic staff, distinguished graduates, and the implementation of numerous scientific, educational, and social projects.
This year, conference participants discussed and exchanged experiences and ideas on addressing challenges and exploring prospects for the development of the fashion industry, modern aspects of materials science and technology – including information technologies – as well as innovations in the textile and fashion sectors and current issues in training specialists for the fashion industry.
The conference, held in a creative, professional, and collaborative atmosphere, featured presentations by leading experts, including: Tetyana Izovit, PhD in Economics, President-Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Association of Light Industry Enterprises “Ukrlegprom”; Golda Vynogradska, Doctor of Philology in Education, President of the National Industry Partnership in Light Industry of Ukraine “Fashion Globus Ukraine”; Svitlana Tytova-Tolstyk, Director of the TK-Style Garment Factory; Tetyana Pushkareva, Manager of the Re:inventex Company; Taras Prytula, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility of the Softorg Company; Dr. Evridika Papachristou, PhD, Department of Creative Design, International Hellenic University, Greece; Natalia Gudzenko, Dr., Associate Professor, Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Representatives of the scientific and educational community of leading foreign educational institutions from more than 10 countries of the world took part in the international event. The moderator emphasized that the development of a modern University largely depends on the formation and use of a partnership system with foreign higher education institutions as an effective tool for innovative development. Natalia Ostapenko expressed gratitude to foreign partners from Germany, Moldova, Albania, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia, Israel, Greece, China, Serbia, Turkey, etc. for supporting the University in this extremely difficult time and the joint fight against the aggressor. Golda Vynogradska addressed the participants and guests of the conference with sincere greetings. In her report “Modern tools of public-private partnership in training personnel for the fashion industry of Ukraine”, she emphasized that over the past ten years this platform has become a synergy of resources of the state, educators and business. “The experience of the national industry partnership of light industry of Ukraine, “Fashion Globus Ukraine”, and cooperation with educational institutions, primarily KNUTD, which have been finding their new forms for so many years, especially inspire me”, noted Ms. Golda. Recently, at the end of September, the speaker added, within the framework of Fashion For Freedom MFW25, the Education Summit educational forum (Milan) was held, where urgent issues of education and upbringing of new generations, a conscious attitude to fashion, issues of the fashion industry and the deep relationship between art, fashion, and cultural diplomacy were discussed at the international level. One of the organizers of the Education Summit was “Fashion Globus Ukraine”. Thanks to this moderation, the forum became a space for dialogue between Ukraine and the world about the role of education in the formation of a new ethical and cultural paradigm of the fashion industry, because it brought together experts in education, fashion, and creative business around the topic of sustainable development of fashion education. “Through fashion, we spread trends, through art, we convey deep meanings, and education makes this process systemic and sustainable”, emphasized Ms. Golda.
Tetyana Izovit’s report on the topic “Modern Challenges and Prospects for the Development of Light Industry’ was professional and meaningful. The speaker emphasized that even in difficult wartime conditions, Ukrainian manufacturers demonstrate a high level of resilience, implementing full production cycles and developing export directions. The speaker noted the key role of training personnel for the fashion industry and supporting women, who make up over 90% of the industry’s workers. She also drew attention to the participation of Ukrainian educational institutions in European projects aimed at introducing digital skills and developing a circular economy. Particular attention was paid to the need for strategic reservation of light industry workers for the stability of production and preservation of human potential. Concluding her speech, Tetyana Izovit expressed confidence that international cooperation, innovation and educational initiatives will become the driving force for the restoration and sustainable development of the Ukrainian fashion industry.
With loud applause, we gladly welcomed representatives of the educational community, with whom we have long-standing friendly relations and close cooperation, and who, together with KNUTD, hold the educational front:
‒ Khmelnytskyi National University, Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Design Tetyana Ivanishena; Head of the Department of Fashion Industry Tetyana Nadopta; Head of the Department of Technology and Design of Garments Svitlana Kuleshova, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor; Lyudmila Bukhantsova, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor; Yulia Koshevko, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor);
‒ Kherson National Technical University, Yulia Sarybekova, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor;
– State University of Trade and Economics, Andriy Slizkov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Commodity Studies and Customs;
– Kyiv Professional College of Applied Sciences, Director Hanna Shchutska, Doctor of Engineering, Professor;
‒ National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Head of the Department of Diagnostics of Mesoscopic Systems of the Technical Center, Maksym Barabash, Doctor of Engineering, Professor.
A graduate of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, Ivan Frolov, PhD in Art History, designer, founder of the FROLOV brand and member of the Union of Designers of Ukraine, addressed the conference participants with an inspiring greeting. He thanked the organizers and the faculty team for the high level of preparation of the event, emphasizing its importance for the development of Ukrainian fashion education. The speaker emphasized the importance of the cohesion of the professional community and the role of each in the common cause of the revival of the national industry. He wished the participants encouragement, fruitful work and new creative ideas that will contribute to the establishment of Ukrainian fashion in the world. Concluding his speech, the designer expressed confidence that even in difficult times of war, Ukrainian artists continue to bring victory closer with their creativity and inspiration.
Natalia Ostapenko expressed her deep respect and gratitude to the stakeholders of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design for their daily tireless work and indomitability, stability of positions in the domestic market, and for finding the opportunity to visit the University in a difficult time for our country, namely: the aforementioned Tetyana Izovit, Golda Vynogradska, Tetyana Pushkareva, Svitlana Tytova-Tolstyk, Taras Prytula, Ivan Frolov, as well as Liudmyla Ivanova, director of Dana-Moda LLC, laureate of the Borys Paton National Prize of Ukraine, member of the Educational Investment and Technology Cluster of Light Industry; Ivan Skorokhodov, marketing director of Fialan and Prizzi Sewing Machines companies of Softorg; Oleksandr Bondary, director of Prime Shoes LLC; Mykhailo Kucherenko, director of Surikat LLC; Natalia Aminova, Head of the Human Resources Department of TK-Domashny Tekstil LLC, member of the Educational Investment and Technology Cluster of Light Industry; Valery Rybas, Director of TK-Furnitura LLC, Barva LLC, member of the Educational Investment and Technology Cluster of Light Industry; Dmitry Lapshyn, Deputy Director of the Rosa Factory, Denis Devoguts, Technologist of the Rosa Knitwear Factory; Yulia Gilevych, Head of the Scientific and Technical Center for Confirmation of Conformity of Standardization and Testing of Light Industry Products and Personal Protective Equipment of the State Enterprise Ukmetrteststandart, PhD; Lyudmila Sazanska, Technologist of Reklamny Tekstil LLC; Anton Evenko, Director of FOB Evenko.
The online presentation by Dr. Evridiki Papachristou, a foreign colleague and partner of the University, PhD of the Department of Creative Design of the International Hellenic University, Greece, was fascinating and spectacular. She focused on the role of modern education in integrating creative approaches and innovations in the training of new generation designers. The researcher emphasized the importance of international cooperation between educational institutions in Europe and Ukraine for the exchange of experience and the implementation of advanced educational practices. She presented the concept of developing creative thinking as a key competency in design education and emphasized the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in curricula. Evridiki also noted that modern fashion is not only an aesthetic but also a cultural phenomenon capable of shaping the values of sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. Her presentation aroused lively interest among the participants and became a vivid example of the European vision of the future of design education.
The inspiring and meaningful speech of Svitlana Titova-Tolstyk became not only a source of knowledge, but also an example for those present, how, thanks to perseverance, deep analysis and the desire for quality, one can build a successful domestic business capable of influencing the fashion industry. In the report “Approaches to the sustainable development of clothing production for luxury brands “TK-Style”, Svitlana Titova-Tolstyk shared the successful history of the development of the “TK-Style” garment factory, the development and improvement of technological processes, the implementation of personnel training and education, etc.
The conference participants listened with interest to the report by Tetyana Pushkareva “Circular Infrastructure of the Textile Industry: Strategy, Partnerships, Opportunities”. The speaker delivered a presentation on innovative approaches to sustainable development of the industry. She outlined the key areas of activity of the company “Re:inventex”, aimed at implementing the principles of eco-design, circular economy and responsible production. Tetyana Pushkareva emphasized that modern fashion requires not only creativity, but also a deep understanding of environmental challenges, and therefore it is important to form a new culture of production based on technological innovations and partnership between business and education. She shared examples of cooperation with European colleagues in the development of environmentally friendly materials and technologies. The speaker also noted the active participation of Ukrainian designers and educational institutions in the process of harmonizing standards with the EU, which opens up new opportunities for Ukraine’s integration into the global fashion space. Her speech emphasized the role of innovation and international partnership as the basis for the sustainable development of Ukraine’s light industry.
In her welcoming address, Natalia Gudzenko, Dr., Associate Professor of the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, expressed her sincere support for the Ukrainian people and delivered a professional report “Eco-Designed Bio-Based Composite Materials: Metrics and Functional Additives for Circular Use”, dedicated to the introduction of innovative technologies in the production of materials for light industry. She presented modern approaches to the development of new generation composites that combine lightness, strength and environmental friendliness, which opens up new opportunities for designers and clothing manufacturers. The speaker emphasized the importance of international cooperation between scientific centers in Ukraine and Germany for the integration of advanced research into industrial practice. Natalia Gudzenko paid special attention to the role of science in the sustainable development of the fashion industry and the training of specialists capable of combining technological and creative competencies. Her speech demonstrated the desire of the European scientific community to support Ukrainian light industry and promote its modernization based on innovation and sustainable approaches.
Taras Prytula also welcomed the participants and guests of the event to the start of the conference. In his report “Trust as a Competitive Advantage: How Leaders Transform Disparate Businesses into a Unified Ecosystem”, the speaker presented an analytical overview of the development of Ukraine’s light industry and the role of corporate ethics in shaping sustainable business models. Taras Prytula emphasized that the company is systematically working on implementing social responsibility strategies that take into account the economic barriers of the industry and are aimed at strengthening cooperation between business, education, and the public. The speaker discussed research conducted in Ukraine and abroad that helped identify key factors hindering the growth of the industry, as well as possible ways to overcome them. Taras Prytula paid special attention to the need to develop partnership initiatives between educational institutions and enterprises that form the modern human resource base of the industry. He also emphasized that Ukraine still lacks specialized financial programs and investments focused on the needs of the sector, but the potential for cooperation with educational and cultural platforms remains high. The speech became a vivid example of a strategic approach to the development of the industry through the prism of corporate social responsibility and inter-sectoral cooperation.
As part of the conference, creative works by higher education students majoring in specialty G15 (182) Light Industry Technologies, as well as publications by the teaching staff of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion, were presented at two exhibition locations. In addition, a round table with stakeholders was held to discuss educational programs.
After the break, the conference continued on four thematic platforms: “Problems and prospects for the development of the fashion industry”; “Modern aspects of materials science and technologies in the textile and fashion industries”; “Information technologies and innovations in the textile and fashion industries”; “Current issues of training specialists for the fashion industry”, which were attended by stakeholders from many countries of the world – scientists, representatives of enterprises, leading organizations in the textile and fashion industries, higher education students who presented their scientific achievements. The topics of the platforms were also quite diverse and concerned the problems and prospects of the fashion industry development, modern aspects of materials science, technologies, in particular information technologies and innovations in the textile and fashion industries, and topical issues of training specialists for the fashion industry, on which discussions were held. Professors, associate professors, doctoral candidates, young scientists, and students actively participated in the work of the declared platforms of the conference. The moderators of the platforms were well-known representatives of Ukrainian and international education in the field of the fashion industry, Ukrainian enterprises and leading organizations, as well as scientists of the KNUTD: Yana Redko, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor; Antonina Babych, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor; Tetyana Dzykovych, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, and others. The reports will be published in the proceedings of the “KyivTex&Fashion” conference.
We sincerely thank all moderators, speakers, participants and guests for the high level of research reports, fruitful and valuable work, constructive dialogue, expansion of scientific horizons, new ideas, lively discussions and involvement in creating new dimensions of modern higher education!
The conference took place despite the challenging times for our country, thanks to the courage and dedication of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We express our deep respect and sincere gratitude to every defender, and we bow in honor to our soldiers!
24.10.2025
