Olena Zelenska, first lady of Ukraine, touched down in the United States this past week for a historic visit. She met with President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden yesterday, July 19, and delivered a statement to Congress today regarding the war in Ukraine after Russia invaded the country back in February.
For the address, she wore a black suit dress with a sliver of white fabric that showed traditional Ukrainian embroidery by the Ukrainian label AMG. Over the course of her visit, Zelenska has embraced Ukrainian dress in a powerful display of pride.
Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images
Twice she wore clothes from the Ukrainian label Litkovskaya, by designer Lilia Litkovaskaya. When Zelenska touched down in the United States, she opted for an olive dress with a scarf that fastened around the neck. She accessorized with earrings and a pin from the jewelry label Guzema, in a collaboration with the label Gunia Project. The pin is inspired by a rushnyk, a piece of fabric that is embroidered with traditional Ukrainian symbols.
Something to note: During her arrival, Zelenska held pieces of wheat, one of Ukraine’s main exports and a national symbol for the country. This comes at a moment when the Russian invasion poses a significant threat to Ukraine’s wheat harvest.
Photo: Couresty of AP Photo
