NL Vyshyvanka: where Dutch design meets Ukrainian tradition

The story of our Netherlands’ Vyshyvanka is about long-lasting relations between the Netherlands and Ukraine: ourcooperation in many priority sectors of economy, agriculture,  education, culture, human rights, peace and justice. It absorbs our commonalities for the past 29 years of admiration, gratitude, hope and aspiration.

Vyshyvanka  [wɪʃɪˈwɑnkɐ] is a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt.

Creation of our NL style Vyshyvanka started with a cooperation project between the Dutch designer Emily Hermans and a local designer and manufacturer of ethnic clothes Edelvika. What began as a webinar devoted to trends in use of different patterning techniques on textiles, eventually ended up with the development of a unique design of a traditional and yet so modern item of clothing. Embroidery patterns and colours of the Dutch island of Marken, the symbolism of the chosen images and the typical Ukrainian motives and embroidery techniques were harmoniously combined in a coherent picture, complementing each other.  

Vyshyvanka Day in Ukraine

Vyshyvanka Day originated in 2006 and became international. It is celebrated on the third Thursday of May. It is intended to unite all Ukrainians over the world, regardless of religion, language they speak or their place of residence. It is a flash mob holiday^, on this day many Ukrainians wear vyshyvankas to demonstrate adherence to the idea of national identity and unity and to show their patriotism.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyshyvanka