Each internship opens up new opportunities for the professional development of future specialists. The practical training in 2026 has become a convincing confirmation of this: despite the challenges of martial law in Ukraine, students have the opportunity to communicate directly with representatives of the fashion industry and learn about the activities of modern competitive manufacturers.
On 4 March 2026, students of the first (bachelor's) and second (master's) levels of the “Fashion Industry” educational programme visited the “RITO” Fashion House, one of Ukraine's leading knitwear manufacturers. The meeting was held with the support of the company's director, Tetiana Abramova, who personally welcomed the students and shared the history of the brand's creation and development.
The business leader shared that the story of RITO began with a thin thread, which was later used to knit designer items on smart machines. Today, the production of knitwear is a complex, multi-level process that includes concept development, sketching, design, raw material selection, equipment programming, knitting, processing, and quality control. The company has its own trend bureau, where designers and constructors work, and all creative ideas are implemented directly in production.
The company manufactures products under two brands: RITO and 91Lab.
RITO is a versatile knitwear brand that combines practicality, comfort and modern fashion trends. The 91Lab brand operates under the slogan “Knitwear as art,” which fully reflects the concept of its collections. Products in this line are distinguished by their exquisite design and decorated with motifs from the works of Maria Prymachenko and elements of Brokar embroidery, which was widespread in the Kyiv region in the 19th century. In collaboration with the National Museum of Decorative Arts of Ukraine, the brand has conducted artistic research and a modern reinterpretation of the floral compositions of the early 20th-century folk artist.
One of the most striking examples of creative partnerships is the creation of a limited capsule collection inspired by the collaboration with SkyUp Airlines. Previously, the companies implemented a joint project to develop knitwear for the airline's flight attendants.
During the tour, students, together with group leader Tetiana Makhinya, learned about the entire production cycle – from design concept to reproduction and packaging of finished products. Particular attention was paid to adherence to clear cycles of collection creation, as product exports must meet global retail requirements. As noted by company representatives, designers do not simply create clothing – they shape a cultural product that combines art, technology and business strategy.
“RITO” presents its achievements at the largest exhibition events in Ukraine and abroad, representing the Ukrainian knitwear industry at the international level.
The director of the enterprise supported the development of the G15 Technologies of Light Industry speciality, positively assessed the practical orientation of the educational programmes offered by Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, and emphasised the importance of a balanced combination of theoretical and practical training, taking into account the individual educational trajectory of students. Company representatives confirmed their readiness to continue to promote the professional development of students by providing opportunities for internships.
This format of cooperation is extremely important for training specialists in the “Fashion Industry” educational programme, as it allows theoretical knowledge to be combined with real production processes. The example of the “RITO” fashion house demonstrates the resilience of Ukrainian business, dedication to its work and constant forward movement, which inspires future specialists to pursue professional development and creative growth.
We sincerely thank the management of the enterprise for their openness to cooperation, valuable experience and significant contribution to the formation of professional competencies of higher education seekers!
16.03.2026
