Ukrainian chic comes to Carnegie

Contemporary Ukrainian fashions will be full display at the Third Street Gallery in Carnegie on Saturday, March 15, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Admission is free with the fashion show just part of a celebration of Ukrainian art, culture and music running until the end of March. The events are sponsored by the Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute, a non-profit with its headquarters in Carnegie.

Ukrainian fashions are just a small part of a month-long celebration of art, culture and music by the Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute.

Founded in 2002, the non-profit offers both “humanitarian aid to Ukraine and information about and help accessing Western Pennsylvania resettlement resources,” according to UCHI’s website.

Stephen P. Haluszczak, president of the UCHI, said all of the events are free, including the fashion show, with the programs designed to educate people about Ukrainian culture, and art, and to show Ukrainians are grateful for all the aid sent by America to Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Haluszczak’s group works with the local Ukrainian community and with exchange groups from Ukraine under the auspices of the Open World Program, a project funded by U.S. Congress to bring emerging leaders from Europe and Eurasia to the United States for professional exchange.

Working with this program provides “a solid foundation for expanding our support and aid to Ukraine and our local community–support that has become critical during this time of war and uncertainty,” according to UCHI.

Virginia Nicoll-Hernandez and Natalie Kapeluck, who are organizing the fashion show both bring a strong sense of style to the event.

Hernandez works as a fashion designer, with extensive experience in wardrobe and costume design for theatre, ballet and opera.

She has staged the Pittsburgh Opera Fashion Show, worked on Pittsburgh Fashion Week, and the Ecolution Fashion Gala for Pittsburgh Earth Day, which highlights clothing and accessories made from recycled and upcycled materials.

The clothing and accessories at the Ukrainian show will be modeled by eight ladies and one man. They will be modern fashion pieces, but influenced by the traditional folk aspect of Ukrainian clothing, Ms. Hernandez said.

  “There will be artistic overlaps of the traditional and modern with the accessories, bags, and scarves.  “It will be a high-energy show; fast, furious and fun,” she said.

“Ukraine has a distinct history and style of national dress with joyful, rich, and beautiful clothing that emphasizes light and artistry. I was brought up to bring the beauty of Ukraine to the people around me,” Kapeluck said.

“It was wonderful to work with Virginia.  The Ukranian community, in general, pulled together in a joyful and creative way to put beauty and peace into the world,” she said. 

The Third Street Gallery, usually showcasing the art of Philp Salvato, the owner of the gallery, has been rehung with works by Ukrainian artists.

“The models will be showcasing walking art amid the hanging art,” Kapeluck said.

The art even transcends ethnic boundaries.

“I am the always the Irish-Scotch girl with the green dress on who supports Ukraine,” Hernandez said.

While the event is free, goodwill donations will be accepted, and Ukrainian fashion and accessories will be available to purchase.

Third Street Gallery is located at 220 3rd St., Carnegie. The contemporary Ukrainian fashion show is on Saturday, March 15, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Other March Events

UCHI has several other events planned throughout the month of March.

• The documentary premiere of “Why Ukraine Matters” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 21.
• On Sunday, March 23, a panel discussion on the psychological aspects and impacts of the war in Ukraine will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.
• The US premier of the film “Les Kurbas” with special guest and vocalist Tara Hutchinson is set for Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m.
• A closing reception featuring the Keystone Chorus will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.

These events are being held at the 3rd Street Gallery’s art show space or at Double Dog Studios, 317 2nd Ave., Carnegie.