How One Street Style Star Is Using Her Name to Put Ukrainian Fashion on the Map

Anton Belinskiy skirt and shirt and Dior shoes

Every Fashion Week, it becomes increasingly apparent that when it comes to street style, there are two types of people: those who want to be seen just to be seen, and those who want to be seen for a purpose. Kiev native and street-style blogger favorite Daria Shapovalova fits into the latter category. And as for her purpose, it’s beyond ad sales or hopes of garnering some free designer duds; it’s a method to draw attention to—and hopefully jump-start—the whole fashion industry of a country. (Yes, a country.) Over the past four years, Shapovalova, who is also the founder and creative director of Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days (which just ended this past Sunday) has been working to help Ukraine’s designers to infiltrate the international markets. Put it this way: She might be the only street style star for whom getting dressed is an act of patriotism.

Anton Belinskiy jacket and Stella McCartney jumpsuit

“My intention is always to wear clothes which are created by the designers I am proud of,” says Shapovalova. And her appearance on style blogs—mixing labels like Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, and Prada with Ukrainian designers Anton Belinskiy, Anna October, Anna K., and Yulia Yefimtchuk—has become a critical factor in the marketing of her nation’s homegrown designers. She doesn’t take it lightly. “For me, creativity is the most important criteria when I am choosing what to wear,” says the entrepreneur. “I definitely prefer wearing a dress by a young unknown designer that looks absolutely different from what other people wear. And many of the cool photographers are searching for unique style and clever quirkiness.  And that’s what I’m about—I will sacrifice the mass trend in order to stay different.”

Ksenia Schnaider sweater and H&M hat

Shapovalova plans and packs all of her clothing far in advance of Fashion Week travels to London, Milan, and Paris, in hopes that the international fashion set will take notice. “Buyers have repeatedly set up buying appointments with Ukranian designers after seeing me wearing their looks,” says Shapovalova. “I understand the responsibility I am taking on by wearing a certain outfit.”

Anton Belinksiy dress and Dior shoes

That responsibility that Shapovalova speaks about, a sort of self-created ambassadorship, is crucial for designers from a post-Soviet country that’s currently experiencing ongoing conflict. In modern Ukraine, the exposure for young creative people is limited. But across the pond? It’s boundless. And seen on someone as prominent as she, it’s that much more powerful. “Street style helps people to get promoted and noticed, but what is important is personality and what you do,” says Shapovalova. “There’s always a person who can wear beautiful clothes and look amazing but it is also important what they do in life.” Dressing for the street style blogs has come to mean wearing a well-calculated ensemble or a head-to-toe runway look. But dressing for your country? That shows the power of style.

Anton Belinskiy jacket, Paskal backpack, and Miu Miu boots