SVD Denim at Berlin Fashion Week: Adaptive fashion from Ukraine for those who never give up

This season, Berlin Fashion Week became more than just a fashion platform — it turned into a space where the voices of the unbreakable were heard through the language of design. We're proud to share that it was here that the first public launch of SVD Denim took place — adaptive denim for people with prosthetics, created by designer and founder Svitla Volka (Svitlana Volkova).

From a personal story — to a systemic solution.

It all started with a personal tragedy. In 2023, during the battles for Bakhmut, Svitlana’s father — a volunteer in the Ukrainian Armed Forces — lost both legs due to a drone strike. This painful experience became a point of no return: “I’m a designer. I must find a solution so that my father can keep living with dignity,” Svitla recalls.

That determination sparked deep research into the needs of amputees, inclusive fashion, and adaptive design. This is how the brand SVD Denim was born — a name that stands for Svitla Volka Design, but also echoes the Soviet-era SVD sniper rifle, still used today by Ukrainian defenders to protect Freedom. The brand fuses personal memory, resilience, and a new aesthetic.

Brought to life in Berlin.

Throughout 2024, Svitlana took part in the Design Academy ADAPT, organized by VORN – The Berlin Fashion Hub in collaboration with Zalando. During its second phase, she received a grant to create a full prototype. The result: adaptive jeans showcased at Bikini Berlin.

These jeans are more than clothing. They’re a thoughtfully constructed model with a full-length side zipper, allowing easy wear even with a prosthetic — without compromising on style. Vibrant 3D patches, designed by the Ukrainian art collective Photinus Studio, reference military chevrons and create a sense of belonging. Inner pockets labeled “Your left” and “Your right” add a touch of humor that helps many adapt to a new reality.

From fashion show to real impact.

The model in the frame — a German man who lost his leg in a skydiving accident — became

the embodiment of SVD Denim’s motto: "It’s one thing to be fashionable on your own two feet, but it’s a whole different level to stay fashionable on crutches or prosthetics.”

After the showcase, the brand received inquiries from showrooms in Berlin and Hamburg. Now, the SVD Denim team is actively seeking investment to deliver innovative product to real customers in Ukraine and abroad and scale the project on both B2C and B2B levels.

Our journey is just beginning

SVD Denim stands for strength, style, and dignity. It’s about those who may have lost a part of themselves, but never lost the will to live fully. We’re grateful to everyone who supported us at this stage, especially Jörg Schmidtke for honest feedback and collaboration.

Today, our adaptive jeans are more than just fashion. They’re a step toward a world where inclusion is not a trend — but the norm.