From Ukraine to Paris: The Story of a Woman Building an International Design Scene

Elmira Polyayeva, founder of United Fashion Designers. Photographer: Evgenia Apifanceva. Makeup and hair: Kateryna Semennikova. Outfits: E.p.p.s.

An evening in Paris.

Inside the halls of the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, designers, stylists, editors and industry professionals gather quietly before the lights dim.

Music begins to play.

The first model steps onto the runway.

Photographer: Mihael Vuzem.

This is the new season of UFD Runway, a project that brings together emerging designers and gives them the opportunity to step onto the international fashion stage.

Photographer: Sasha Nekrashevych.

Behind this platform stands a woman who has spent years creating spaces where fashion becomes a language of culture and dialogue. Fashion producer, designer and founder of United Fashion Designers, Elmira Polyayeva.

Photographer: Evgenia Apifanceva. Stylist: Elmira Polyayeva. Makeup and hair: Kateryna Semennikova. Outfits: E.p.p.s.

Her work goes far beyond organizing shows or opening fashion spaces.

She builds ecosystems where designers can grow, evolve and reach global audiences.

Photographer: Soli Jeon. Model: Yeva. Total look: E.p.p.s. Accessorries: United Fashion Designers.

From model agent to fashion producer

Elmira Polyayeva’s journey into fashion began with a career as a model agent.

Working with young talents, she helped many models take their first steps into the international fashion industry and build professional careers. For many of them, she opened the door to fashion. This experience became a true school of the industry.

Photographer: Sasha Nekrashevych. Model: Maena Le Moignic. Outfit: E.p.p.s.

Working with castings, agencies, stylists, photographers and designers allowed her to understand how the fashion system functions from the inside. Over time, it became clear that her ambitions extended beyond managing models.

She was increasingly drawn to the idea of creating projects, shaping environments and connecting creative people. This marked the beginning of her career as a fashion producer.

Photographer: Sasha Nekrashevych. Model: Myroslava Yankova. Jacket: E.p.p.s. Dress: Semenenko. Accessories: United Fashion Designers.

Producing fashion projects in Ukraine

In Ukraine she produced numerous fashion initiatives: runway shows, presentations, collaborations and cultural events. These projects brought together designers, photographers, stylists, models and artists.

But for Elmira Polyayeva, the goal was never simply to organize events. Her ambition was to create platforms where fashion culture could grow and develop. This vision eventually led to the creation of a project that would grow into an international initiative.

Photographer: Shreya Jain.

The birth of UFD

In 2016 she founded UFD – Ukrainian Fashion Days.

The project was originally conceived as a platform dedicated to presenting the Ukrainian cultural code through fashion in different parts of the world. Through runway shows, presentations and creative events, UFD introduced international audiences to the contemporary Ukrainian design scene.

Photographer: Olga Larionova. Stylist: Elmira Polyayeva.

These events were not only fashion shows. They became cultural statements, expressing national identity through design.

“Fashion is a language of culture. Through it we can tell the world about a country’s spirit and creative energy,” she said.

Photographer: Alla Sosnovska.

War and a new mission

With the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the mission of the project gained a new dimension.

Supporting Ukrainian designers became not only a professional goal but also a cultural mission.

Fashion became a form of cultural diplomacy, a way to communicate the strength and creativity of the country through design. It became essential to create spaces where Ukrainian designers could continue working, presenting their collections and connecting with the international fashion community.

Photographer: Alla Sosnovska.

UFD concept stores in France

After the outbreak of the war, UFD concept stores were opened in Paris and Cannes.

These spaces were not simply retail stores but creative platforms presenting the work of talented designers.

Photographer: Alla Sosnovskaya. Makeup: Alyona Kolesnyk.

The concept stores serve multiple purposes:

• introducing designers to European audiences
• connecting brands with international buyers and stylists
• supporting the Ukrainian fashion industry
• creating a cultural dialogue through fashion

In this way, they became a bridge between local design scenes and the global fashion industry.

Photographer: Alla Sosnovska.

UFD Runway

Another key element of the project is UFD Runway, a fashion event that brings together designers and industry professionals.

Photographer: Mellissa Rocha. Model: Alina Ataro. Stylist: Elmira Poliaieva. Outfit: E.p.p.s. Accessories: Le Pop Top.

The fourth season of UFD Runway recently took place at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature. Hosting a fashion show within a museum setting highlights the philosophy behind the project – the intersection of fashion, art and cultural context.

UFD Runway offers designers a platform to present their collections to an international audience and expand beyond their local markets.

Photographer: Sasha Nekrashevych.

A new chapter: United Fashion Designers

Today the project continues its evolution as United Fashion Designers.

The platform is now open to talented designers from around the world who are looking to expand beyond their local markets and scale their brands internationally.

The core idea remains unchanged: to create a space where talent can access the global fashion industry.

Ảnh: Alla Sosnovskaya. Trang điểm: Ekaterina Semennikova.

Design as a personal language

Alongside her work as a producer, she also develops her own fashion brand e.p.p.s. The brand reflects an aesthetic of intellectual femininity, minimalism and subtle drama.

Each collection explores the character of a modern woman — strong, independent and deeply expressive.

Photographer: Evgenia Apifanceva. Stylist: Elmira Polyayeva. Makeup and hair: Kateryna Semennikova. Outfit: E.p.p.s.

Building fashion ecosystems

Today her work extends far beyond individual projects. Elmira continues to develop international platforms that connect designers, brands and cultural institutions.

Her role can be described as that of an architect of fashion ecosystems — someone who connects people, ideas and cultures through fashion.

“I don’t simply produce shows. I create stages where designers can be heard.”

Photographer: Taisei Sunakawa.

Further information can be found at these links:

E.p.p.s.: @e.p.p.s.official.
United Fashion Designers project: @united_fashion_designers.
Elmira Polyayeva: @elmira_polyayeva.

Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam

Thông báo chính thức: Ninh Bình Web (thuộc GiuseArt) không hợp tác với bất kỳ ai để bán giao diện Wordpress và cũng không bán ở bất kỳ kênh nào ngoại trừ Facebook và zalo chính thức.

Chúng tôi chỉ support cho những khách hàng mua source code chính chủ. Tiền nào của nấy, khách hàng cân nhắc không nên ham rẻ để mua phải source code không rõ nguồn gốc và không có support về sau! Xin cám ơn!