Last week, on 15 May, the Estonian Embassy in London organised the charity event #Walk4Ukraine, raising more than £50 000 (60 000 €) in support of Ukraine.
The event included a fashion show and a dinner with an auction for 150 guests at Christ Church Spitalfields in central London. Four Ukrainian brands presented their latest collection on the catwalk: Gorsset, Mogardi, Maison Sophy G, and KEKA. Ukrainian designer Kostiantyn Lieontiev assisted with the organisation of the fashion show.
In addition to the models, Estonian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Viljar Lubi also took the stage, presenting the clothes of the Ukrainian brand Riot Division. In his speech, the ambassador explained that organising fashion shows was not the usual activity of the embassy, but it seemed to be the right moment. “The presence of all of you shows strong will, judgment and the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong. We are not living in an isolated world. What is happening in Ukraine will have an impact on all of us,” Ambassador Lubi said.
The speech by the guest of honour, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, received a standing ovation. The Ukrainian ambassador was dressed appropriately for the day – to mark Vyshyvanka Day, the former army chief and his wife wore the Ukrainian national shirt.
A vyshyvanka, another unique copy of which was given to Prince Harry, went on sale at the auction. Other prizes included design products ranging from accessories to evening gowns. The prizes were donated by various British, Ukrainian, and Estonian designers. The latter included Lilli Jahilo, Kriss Soonik and Tanel Veenre, and from Ukraine: Blackwood, Gorsset, KEKA, Kolo Magic, Malusha and Marta Holod.
Throughout the evening, the Ukrainian fashion illustrator Tanya Chulkova sketched portraits of the guests, and her artwork made specifically for the event was sold at the auction for thousands of pounds. The charity event was supported by both international companies and private individuals.
It was the fourth charity event organised by the Estonian Embassy since the beginning of the full-scale war. The Embassy previously organised two auction-dinners and a rave for Ukraine.