Old Patterns, New Stories: two collaborations inspired by traditional Kyiv’s embroidery (Patreon)

Ukrainian embroidery is one of the oldest living visual languages in the world. Long before Ukraine's history was written down, it was recorded through embroidery — every motif has a meaning. Our new collection takes those patterns and uses them to tell the story of Kyiv. 

The collection features two collaborations: a modern vyshyvanka shirt created with Ukrainian embroidery brand Gaptuvalnya, and three illustrated pieces by illustrator Kateryna Stepanishcheva, working under the name myfabstory, that represent Kyiv's past, present, and future.

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Kyiv, stitched in time

The Old Patterns, New Stories collection is dedicated to Kyiv, and uses embroidery to tell its story. To do this, we collaborated with illustrator Kateryna Stepanishcheva of myfabstory — a Kyiv-based artist who has spent years researching Ukrainian folk art, embroidery patterns, and traditional calligraphy. She drew on Kyiv's traditional embroidery motifs to create three illustrations, representing the city's past, present and future.

The Legend of Kyiv — The Past The founding siblings — brothers Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid — stand on the banks of the Dnipro River, as recorded in the 12th-century Primary Chronicle, the principal historical source on the early history of Kyivan Rus'.

Chestnut City — The Present The Dnipro River splits the city in two. Around it, Kyiv spreads outward across both banks — historic architecture at the center, modern new builds at the edges. Chestnut leaves, one of the city's most recognizable symbols,  fill the foreground. 

The Tree of Life — The Future The Tree of Life is one of the oldest motifs in Ukrainian embroidery. A symbol of continuity, growth, and everything that flourishes, it has been worn by Ukrainians for many centuries.For this collection, we expanded our usual product range to include polo shirts, zip hoodies, T-shirts for kids, posters, and baby bodysuits. Explore the collection to see what's new.

The Vyshyvanka: a limited edition

The centerpiece of this collection is a vyshyvanka — a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt, made in collaboration with Ukrainian embroidery brand Gaptuvalnya and featuring traditional motifs from the Kyiv Oblast. On Kyiv Day, May 31, we released 100 for pre-order, all of which have already been snapped up.

Gaptuvalnya's philosophy is that folk culture does not belong only in museums or on holidays. It evolves, and it belongs in everyday life. The response to this shirt suggests our readers feel the same way, so this may well not be our last vyshyvanka — if you missed out on this one, keep your eyes peeled for future launches. 

In the meantime, the same motifs and visual language live on in the illustrated pieces from our collaboration with illustrator myfabstory — available now. Don't forget to use your code for 15% discount: WELOVEYOU.

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