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Ksenia Schnaider is no stranger to European buyers. Her key designs have been presented at Selfridges and Harrods for the past two years. A Ukrainian born designer works alongside her husband, Anton Schnaider who is also brand’s PR.  A glimpse at the couple says it all, a perfect duet who compliment each other.

 

“We’ve met during Kiev Fashion Week back in 2008. I’ve just graduated from Marangoni and decided to return home to start my own label,” starts Ksenia, “Anton was an art-director at that time. He helped me shape my plans and vision.” Anton Schnaider was already a well-known persona during those years and obviously had good connections in the industry. He’s collaborated with many brands prior meeting his wife. Those helped the brand develop at such a quick rate.“She was three-months pregnant when we started a brand. I remember seeing my wife being exhausted but so excited about designing something different from what others were doing,” added Anton.

 

"I find inspiration in clothes itself and not trying to do

something futuristic, our brand is about ‘now’"

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“Ksenia Schnaider is a uniform brand that presents clothes about clothes. I find inspiration in clothes itself and not trying to do something futuristic, our brand is about ‘now’’, says Ksenia while looking at Anton as if she was seeking for his approval of her words, “For instance right now everyone’s trying to go sustainable, we presented our version of faux fur last week at Berlin. Recycled shredded jean material visually looks like real fur. It started out as a joke, but then the audience reacted very well, so now it’s one of our best-sellers.”

 

Jeans is the fundamental item of Ksenia Schnaider brand. As the designer explains, she aims to make jeans cool again, the way they were in her childhood. In the 90s, people that lived in USSR did not have access to any overseas fashion brands and having American jeans was very rare.

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"Nowadays, discovering new names that originate from your own country is somewhat cool"

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“We work with recycled materials. Everything is produced and put together in Ukraine since it’s much cheaper if we're honest,” explained Anton Schnaider, “We present our collections everywhere in the world, but we want our brand to stay true to the roots. After all, the designs Ksenia works on are always inspired by Ukrainian traditions.”

 

The designer refused to speak about the situation in the industry within her country as she prefers to stay out of political discussions.  Right now many fashion brands in Ukraine reflect their political views though designs. Ksenia and Anton on the other hand, are making bets on European audience and their views.  Customers love the young brand. Ksenia Schnaider became a well-known label in all post-USSR countries. Youngsters, there are looking for something new, different from what their parents used to wear but with an understandable twist. Nowadays, discovering new names that originate from your own country is somewhat cool, it’s different, not Gucci or Dolce&Gabbana that you see on every street in both Kiev and Moscow.The duo preferred not to disclose their future plans, but they mentioned they are working on becoming more global and travel to get inspiration from all over the world. “I would love to go to Africa to feel the atmosphere, get a glimpse of something new to me,” said Ksenia. “Right now we are passionate about metamodernism that reflects the ever-changing state of the world: from romanticism, naivety to irony and pragmatism,” added Anton.

 

It is hard to say Ksenia Schnaider presents something groundbreaking yet the PR behind the brand is strong enough to cause so much concentration from all over the world. Perhaps, the brand started out as an enjoyable hobby for the couple rather than a creativity-driven project. Yet quietly but confidently the label attracts the attention of all notable hot spots and minds.