How did you end up in Portugal? How did your life there begin?
I moved to Lisbon before the full-scale war began. My life there began like that of many people who build everything from scratch in a new country — without any connections, without acquaintances, only with faith in my work and a willingness to walk a difficult path.
But within a few months, the war in Ukraine began. My father and cousin volunteered to go to the front, and my entire emotional focus shifted to supporting my family and country. At times like these, your plans come to a halt, you put everything on pause, and start living in a different reality, with pain, anxiety, but also great strength.
The beginning was not easy: adaptation took time, and accepting a new culture and mentality took even more. But it was precisely because of this that I embarked on my journey, and today I can say I have become stronger. Portugal gave me peace in difficult moments and very valuable people whom I met as an adult — friends who feel like family. And I believe that this was not a coincidence either.
Was it challenging to adapt to a new country, its culture, language, and mentality?
Yes, adaptation was difficult and took almost a year. But I learned the most important thing: you can’t demand the impossible from yourself. You shouldn’t put pressure on yourself during times of change; adaptation happens gradually, and that’s normal.
Moving, especially during wartime, is never easy. Building a personal life and business abroad from scratch is not easy for anyone. But the most important thing is not to give up during this period, to allow yourself to feel all your emotions, to persevere, and to move on.
It was this experience, difficult and painful but very formative, that gave me the inner core and endurance that today have such an impact on my creativity and the path of my brand.
How has your creative process changed since moving?
I can’t say that the move itself changed my creative process. It was the events I experienced that changed it. War, anxiety for loved ones, emotional burden — that’s what became the real turning point and had a huge impact on my work.
During that period, two key states naturally appeared in my art — vulnerability and resilience. Vulnerability, which reveals a person’s truth, and resilience, which helps survive even when it seems there is no strength left.
These two forces became the basis for my subsequent collections. I tried to convey what I was experiencing myself: fragility and indestructibility, tenderness and courage, human fragility and, at the same time, its incredible strength. These emotions became a new source of energy and an impetus to continue creating even in the darkest times.
You are a well-known designer, and your clothes are worn by world-class stars. How did you achieve such success abroad?
No one achieves success right away, and I am no exception. My path was long, honest, and difficult. When you build everything yourself, you need tremendous patience and faith. And that’s what I’ve learned to cultivate in myself.
There were moments when everything moved too slowly, when I wanted to speed up the process, when it seemed nothing was happening. But that’s when it’s essential to keep going and not give up, to accept the process as it is.
People appeared on my path who became a huge support. Not by chance, at the right moment. People who motivated me. And then, my friend Elvira, with whom we created our first serious projects in Portugal. It was this trust that led to step-by-step collaborations, exhibitions, and major initiatives.
The turning point was my first exhibition in Lisbon. It opened the door to new partnerships and, later, to larger-scale projects, which helped my brand gain notice abroad. And after a while, my clothes were being chosen by women of international stature.
This is the path I have taken, thanks to hard work, perseverance, sincerity in my creativity, and the people whom fate brought me together with at the right moment.
Has your attitude towards fashion changed after living outside Ukraine?
Surprisingly, no. My views on fashion were formed long before I moved, and they have not changed even after eight years of working in the industry. I am a person of principles, and the vision with which I created the brand has remained unchanged: respect for quality, a conscious approach, dedication to my own aesthetics and values.
Living outside Ukraine might have influenced me differently, but I stayed on my path very consistently. I always knew what I wanted to create and why. This inner understanding and honesty with myself were the most important guidelines.
Therefore, my philosophy has not changed, but only strengthened. If designers remain true to their essence and values, their works remain alive, honest, and relevant, regardless of the country in which they work.
You were the main costume designer for the film Holiguards. What impressions did this project leave on you, and what did it mean to you?
For me, this project became a territory of new opportunities and inner courage. I am always open to new ideas and collaborations. I like to go beyond the usual and experiment, and this film gave me exactly the space I needed.
But the true meaning of this experience became clear during the work itself. We created the entire artistic world of the film extremely quickly: the concepts, sketches, and designs were ready in two months, and we had only 2.5 weeks to sew a large number of costumes. And all this in Ukraine, during a full-scale war, sometimes without electricity, sometimes without the basic conditions for work.
These were real challenges for me and my team. But it was precisely these challenges that removed the “barriers” within me that people often create for themselves. I saw how strong we are, how fearless we can be when we have a common goal and feel responsible for our work to the very end, regardless of the circumstances.
This project taught me not to be afraid of scale and to trust my own abilities. It brought my team together, tempered us, and gave us a deep understanding that even in the most challenging moments, Ukrainians are capable of creating great art. And that is why this work will always remain special to me.
Tell us about your brand. How are you developing it now, and what are your plans for the future?
My brand, Khris K, was born at a time when my homeland was at war and its people were in pain and uncertainty. This reality changed my vision of beauty: it became about the light that survives even in the darkest circumstances. It is about the quiet strength, dignity, and endurance that women carry through trials. It is this feminine energy — unbreakable, profound, and infinitely inspiring that has shaped the DNA of the Khris K brand.
The brand’s development is a constant dialogue between intuition and craftsmanship. The luxury brand Khris K is recognizable not by colors or seasonal trends, but by its approach to creation: uncompromising couture made from the finest natural fabrics, with many of its products unreplicable.
Each collection is born from a deep attention to detail: handcrafted techniques, unexpected accents, and unique textures. We even transform fabric scraps into signature fabric-covered buttons, small symbols of conscious luxury and responsibility. For me, true elegance lives in these details.
One of the recognizable features of the Khris K brand is the peg-top silhouette. It is a shape I reinterpret in my collections, using various textures and techniques while preserving its architectural expressiveness and femininity. For me, this silhouette is not just a design, but a brand signature: a way to emphasize strength, fragility, and the body’s elegant lines simultaneously.
Despite this, I never “lock” Khris K into a fixed formula. We are constantly experimenting with the neckline architecture, the shape and height of collars and stands in dresses and jackets. I believe the neck is one of the most elegant lines of the female body, and each new collar shape enhances this beauty.
Looking ahead, I naturally see Khris K on the international stage, but only in a way that preserves the brand’s soul. The most important thing for me is that each presentation carries the same emotional depth, authenticity, and philosophical weight that define my work.
Do you plan to return to Ukraine after your victory? If so, what would you like to create or change?
I have been living in two countries for several years now, and it feels natural to me. I return to Ukraine 3-4 times a year, which is normal for me because my family, my roots, and my studio in Lviv are there. Therefore, I am not waiting for the war to end to go back home; I do it all the time. Each of my trips is not a visit but a return.
Unfortunately, the war may last a long time, and I accept that realistically. At the same time, I am building a life in Portugal because we all need stability today. But I never dismiss the idea that life can change at any moment — the country, the city, and the direction.
I definitely see myself working in Ukraine, creating new projects, supporting Ukrainian artists, and continuing to showcase the power of our culture to the world.
What is your source of inspiration today?
I am inspired and motivated by what I experience: from the painful moments of war and loss to the beauty of nature, music, architecture, and small details that others often overlook. All of this — emotions, memories, strength, and vulnerability — is transformed in my hands into shapes, silhouettes, and stories that I tell through clothing.
What advice would you give to Ukrainian women who find themselves abroad and are looking for their path?
Adaptation is not easy, but the path is formed in the process. Give yourself time, move step by step, believe, and don’t forget your own values.
