FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE XXVI INTERNATIONAL YOUNG DESIGNERS CONTEST "PECHERSKI KASHTANY"

On May 18, 2026, a meeting of the international jury took place, during which the finalists of the XXVI International Young Designers Contest "Pecherski Kashtany" were selected.

The meeting was officially opened by Oleksandra Olshanska, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (Educational Activities) of KNUTD, Doctor of Economics, Professor. She welcomed the participants and highlighted the exceptional creativity, high level of craftsmanship, and innovative approach demonstrated in the works submitted this year. The geography and diversity of the projects once again confirm that the contest remains a powerful international platform for the development of design and the fashion industry, integrating clothing, footwear, accessories, textiles, and modern technologies.

This year, more than 300 creative works were submitted by 270 talented young designers. The geography of participants is truly impressive, with representatives from educational institutions in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, the USA, Greece, China, and the United Kingdom.

The results of the selection process and the summarized evaluation outcomes were presented to the jury members by Nataliia Lesiuta, Director of the KNUTD Student Fashion and Creativity Center.

A strong international expert panel ensured objective and professional evaluation. The jury included renowned designers, leading fashion industry experts, brand designers, and executives of профиль enterprises from various countries, including Ukraine, Moldova, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Albania, Georgia, the USA, Belgium, Romania, and Latvia. The jury carefully reviewed each submitted work and made a collegial decision on the list of finalists.

The following members attended the meeting in person: Kalyna Pashkevych, Nataliia Chuprina, Tetiana Struminska, Iryna Davydenko, Iryna Chubotina, Liliia Zhuravel-Zmieieva, and Liliia Navolska.

Remotely, via Zoom, the jury was joined by: Jury Chair Bohdan Kass, as well as members Olha Yezhova, Maryna Yatsenko, Oleksii Kraievskyi, Anna Kuzmenko, Dmytro Kalach, Nataliia Pervaya, Olena Herasymenko, and others. International experts also included Nataliia Rozhyn (United Kingdom), Yevzhen Riabenkyi (Moldova), and other fashion professionals from different countries.

Thanks to the professional and unbiased work of the experts, the final list of participants who earned the right to present their collections in the final show has been formed.

 

Finalists in the "Clothing" category:

  1. SUMUD
  2.  The collection 01
  3. Grunge collection
  4.  Parallel Worlds collection
  5. Ochyshcheni
  6. Dotyk khvyl
  7. Kyiv Flow
  8. Denim Mood
  9. City of Vines
  10. Lace and textures in a suit
  11. SR-incognito
  12. Empowered Grace
  13. DeClassic
  14. Neo-Western
  15. The Velvet Legacy Collection
  16. SCARS
  17. Art Nouveau
  18. The Human Bloom
  19. Petal of Ruthenia
  20. Patterns That Speak
  21. ETNO CODE
  22. The Voice of the Canvas
  23. Terra Trypillia
  24. Motanka – Guardian of the Soul
  25. The Secret Faces Collection
  26. Whiplash
  27. Sculpture Textile
  28. Escarlata Collection
  29. Cathedral Spider Lace
  30. Fragments of the Soul
  31. Dragon Reincarnation
  32. Equilibrium
  33. The Echo of Childhood
  34. COCOON TRANSFORMATION
  35. Alice’s Game
  36. Overflow Through Darkness
  37. ChronoArt
  38. Ciel Nocturne
  39. Les Muses
  40. Porcelaine en Larmes
  41. Romantic Interpretation of Spatial Forms
  42. Shadowbound
  43. SunLight
  44. Trompe-l'œil
  45. Sunset Light
  46. VECTA
  47. REBORN
  48. Grit & Grace
  49. Path to Revival
  50. Second Skin: Denim
  51. Experiment No.1
  52. FRAGMENTED
  53. Orthodoxy
  54. The Present Embraces the Past
  55. ZERO
  56. Inner Glow

 

Finalists in the "Textiles" category:

  1. Ancient Code in Contemporary Stitches
  2. PEARL INTERLACE
  3. Appliqué Handmade Work “Stay Alive”
  4. Series of Dolls “Masquerade”
  5. Doll “Yasna”
  6. Through Bukovinian Motifs
  7. Motanka Doll “Guardian of Unbreakable Ukraine”
  8. Carpathian Krampus (Motanka Doll)
  9. Pan Rubin von Velour
  10. Spring Dance
  11. Doll 3
  12. The Singing Frog
  13. Guardian
  14. Motanka Doll 2
  15. Interior Design Inspired by Spanish Cuisine
  16. Reconstruction Project of Pavlov Estate, Kharkiv
  17. Lawyer’s Office Design Project
  18. Light of Resurrection
  19. Asian Elements
  20. Collection of Scarves “Ukrainian Ancient Embroidery”
  21. Forest Path
  22. From Wings to Petals
  23. Nature of Ukraine
  24. From Thread to Pixel
  25. Religious Vibe
  26. Ukrainian Ornament for Vyshyvanka
  27. Various Ornaments
  28. Colorful Dinosaurs
  29. Author’s Series of Applied Ornaments
  30. Exotic Flowers
  31. A Floral Spectacle
  32. Swallow in Ornament
  33. The Breath of Spring
  34. From Tradition to Innovation
  35. Neurography

Finalists in the “Shoes and Accessories” competition:

  1. Under the Scales
  2. Elanima
  3. Jewelry Steps
  4. FRACTURE
  5. Confidence
  6. Adornment (Bags)
  7. Traditions
  8. Uniqueness
  9. Transformation
  10. Modern Block
  11. ECDYSIS
  12. Classics
  13. Alchemy of Growth

 

The winners in the "Textiles" category will be announced on the KNUTD website after the final stage of the contest.

The final runway show and the award ceremony for the winners in the "Clothing" and "Footwear & Accessories" categories will take place on June 6, 2026, at the Kyiv Municipal Art Gallery “Lavra” (9 Lavrska St., Kyiv):

- Guest arrival: 15:30

- Event start: 16:00

The organizing committee is already actively working on preparing this large-scale celebration of fashion and creativity.

We invite everyone to join this event, support young designers, and witness the future of the Ukrainian fashion industry firsthand!

21.05.2026