Sheroism Apparel
Support a label committed to change-making and impact, empowering displaced women and families in Ukraine with jobs.
Project Description
In today’s world, we are all asking ourselves how we can play a role in bringing change to problems around us as an individual. And I do not want to be no longer exempt from that question.
Though fashion is often dismissed as frivolous and self-indulgent, this growing niche suggests that rather than being part of the problem - and a symbol of the multiple divisions in society (political, personal, economic) - it can actually come up with some of the answers.
I believe in fashion to be a force for good, giving people in need an opportunity to operate and succeed.
My name is Olga.
I am here to match creativity with compassion on change making. My approach is about seeing fashion as a tool to ameliorate displacement crisis in Ukraine and creating an atelier to help those people who have had to relocate because of the military operations in the Eastern Ukraine.
The Why Question
I am from Crimea, the Ukrainian territory which is now illegally occupied by Russia. Because of the annexation, I had been forced to abandon my home. There are 1.5 million people like me in Ukraine. My country ranks 9th in the world from the aspect of the number of internally displaced persons. Displacement overwhelmingly results in an increase in the vulnerabilities and risks faced by people, particularly women and girls…
And I cannot just stand by. I want to make my contribution to facilitate the integration of conflict-affected people into the local communities, to help them build their adaptive capacity, to make their dreams come true.
What “Sheroism” means
“Sheroism Apparel” is my ethical fashion initiative to help people in post-displacement to reintegrate. It is planned that the production process will employ talented and skilled local artisans (seamstresses, pattern makers, embroiderers) affected by the conflict in Ukraine who will provide invaluable handmade techniques. I want “Sheroism Apparel” to be a label that is making a difference to people's daily lives.
My mission is to provide dignified work, continued training and a living wage to displaced women and families who have resettled in Kyiv oblast, Ukraine. “Sheroism” pieces will be handmade using vintage, artisan-made and sustainable materials, and above all, they will be stunning.
The name “Sheroism” was chosen as a way to honor all women, the ones making and those supporting the makers.
“Sheroism” is about ordinary women who make themselves extraordinary. “Sheroism” means you step across the line and are willing to make a difference. It is about women who found a means of conquering the formidable obstacles of their environment, establishing themselves, and laying the foundations of their resilience.
“Sheroism” means meaningfulness in using fashion as a vehicle for structural, environmental, social and economic transformation in Ukraine, at least on the community level.
How you can help
“Sheroism” will provide work opportunities to internally displaced women in Ukraine. At the very start, your support is needed in acquisition of tools, equipment and application of technology to improve productivity for better income.
$ 20 000 raised via this platform will be used as follows:
- $ 6000 - to hire female employees form displaced community skilled in fashion design, dress pattern-making and sewing to create the first collection (for salaries during the first 3 month of project implementation).
- $ 4000 - to purchase necessary equipment (mannequin, sewing machines, etc.).
- $ 4000 - to rent a space for team work and production process (during the first 3 month of project implementation).
- $ 2000 - to create brand identity (logo, motto, webpage, labels, etc.).
- $ 3000 - to purchase cloth and accessories to make the collection.
- $ 1000 - to promote local fashion talents and “Sheroism” brand on Instagram and Facebook during the first month of the project implementation.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Who am I and why am I concerned about the topic?
My name is Olga. I am a resident of Ukraine. I was born in Crimea, the territory which is now illegally annexed by Russia.
I have two passions: politics and fashion.
As for the first one, I am a Ph.D. in Political Science. Specialist in Local and Regional Development and Project Management (certificated by the Swiss-Ukrainian Decentralization Support Initiative "DESPRO"). As a citizen and a scientist, I am really concerned about displacement issue and women empowerment in Ukraine.
As for the fashion, I've always dreamed of launching my own atelier. Now I want to combine my two passions and make them work together in order to bring in an impact into my community.
- Why fashion atelier?
Nowadays, creative industries in Ukraine contributes to 0.06% in GDP. But at the same time it’s a rather significant indicator that fashion industry has a big potential.
- What are the goals for the first 3 months?
To create a team of 5 people; to design 10 items for the collection; to make templates of each item and then to create samples. To reach $ 5000 in sales after the third month. To reach profitability level after the 6th month.
- Who are the competitors?
There are two types of fashion companies in Ukraine: retailers of the Western fashion brands products and domestic designers. "Sheroism" is going to be a niche brand, i.e. with no aim to compete with mass market firms. Being a boutique-style designer atelier, "Sheroism" will offer collections with vintage textures and textiles and distinctive architectural details. We consider individual buyers who understand our why, our values and what we stand for as our target audience. We will stick to offering them the best product possible, instead of making things to suit everybody, but that, in the end, doesn’t suit anybody. Quality, distinctiveness, and craftsmanship are the elements that we will build our brand upon.
Have you always dreamed of creating a dress? We will happily invite you to join our team, so you will have an opportunity to work on the design of one of the items from our very first collection.
Just Because I Care
I want to thank my contributors and let you know - “you matter”. I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your individual generosity and contribution to my initiative. I will send you a Donor Appreciation Certificate by email once the initiative has been funded.
Thank you for helping me support displaced women in Ukraine. We will create and send you a personalized postcard with Ukrainian sightseeing. And warm thanks!
Have you ever been to Ukraine? No? Well, then you're missing something. But I am happy to help you discover Ukraine! Skip the tourist traps and explore like a local to leave with a memorable experience and learn about a place. I am here to advise.
I will be happy to know your ideas of how to make our message visible through the naming of our very first collection. We will gather all the suggestions carefully and then present results to all the contributors. Because I really want to make "Sheroism" our joint product. I believe that we all have a role to play.
Once "Sheroism" very first collection is ready, you will be granted a 50%-discount on any item you like. Do not hesitate to become our first customer and support women in need in Ukraine.
Rewards
Have you always dreamed of creating a dress? We will happily invite you to join our team, so you will have an opportunity to work on the design of one of the items from our very first collection.
Just Because I Care
I want to thank my contributors and let you know - “you matter”. I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your individual generosity and contribution to my initiative. I will send you a Donor Appreciation Certificate by email once the initiative has been funded.
Thank you for helping me support displaced women in Ukraine. We will create and send you a personalized postcard with Ukrainian sightseeing. And warm thanks!
Have you ever been to Ukraine? No? Well, then you're missing something. But I am happy to help you discover Ukraine! Skip the tourist traps and explore like a local to leave with a memorable experience and learn about a place. I am here to advise.
I will be happy to know your ideas of how to make our message visible through the naming of our very first collection. We will gather all the suggestions carefully and then present results to all the contributors. Because I really want to make "Sheroism" our joint product. I believe that we all have a role to play.
Once "Sheroism" very first collection is ready, you will be granted a 50%-discount on any item you like. Do not hesitate to become our first customer and support women in need in Ukraine.