Archaic collection

The cut of the Ukrainian shirt has remained unchanged for nearly a thousand years. The tradition evolved gradually: each generation made shirts following the example of the previous ones, while introducing subtle changes. This created a rich diversity of ornamentation, yet the essential form of the garments remained constant: long, loose-fitting shirts with wide sleeves gathered at the collar and wrists.

Ornaments and symbols appeared long before clothing — people applied them directly onto their bodies. They were not decorations but carried meaning: serving as amulets and symbols of belonging to a community. Later, when the need to cover the body arose, ornaments were transferred onto garments. The oldest ornaments were made of simple shapes: dashes, dots, lines, and geometric forms. It is believed that the simpler and finer the ornament, the older its original meaning.

Traditional embroidery of the past was defined by restrained, naturally produced colors. Brown came from oak bark, silver-grey from alder bark, and red from madder roots or cochineal insects. Dyed black and white threads faded quickly, so black thread was spun from sheep’s wool, while white was achieved through bleaching.