Bronze Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design · 2025
Back To Black Fashion Collection
- A' Design Award 2025 Bronze Winner in Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 71,561
- Verification code B0750E5C8A · Verify this award
About Back To Black Fashion Collection
Back to Black is a fashion collection of three looks inspired by the night sky. Each garment is made from elastic mesh and stretch knit fabric, which provide transparency, fluidity and a close fit. Hand embroidery is applied with beads and bugle beads to recreate the shimmer and texture of a starry sky. Flowing silhouettes and draped capes refer to Slavic mythology and the god Khors. Rooted in Ukrainian heritage, the collection can be worn for special occasions or displayed as an artistic exhibit.
Back To Black Fashion Collection by Daria Slobodianiuk engages the enduring fashion tradition of black as both foundational element and ultimate expression of sartorial sophistication, a lineage extending from the little black dress canonized in early twentieth-century fashion through countless iterations that have positioned black garments as vessels for exploring form, silhouette, texture, and the relationship between body and architecture. The work demonstrates notable compositional intelligence through its environmental integration, rejecting the neutral studio backdrop convention in favor of situating the garment within a dense naturalistic woodland setting that creates productive tension between the geometric purity of the designed object and the organic complexity of the forest environment, this juxtaposition inviting contemplation of fashion's position between human artifice and natural forms. The garment itself reveals sophisticated pattern-cutting technique through its architectural silhouette that maintains structural integrity while suggesting movement potential, the long sleeves and abbreviated hemline creating proportional relationships that elongate the figure while the matte black surface provides canvas for subtle dimensional interest through what appears to be beaded or chain embellishment along the sleeve, these linear accents catching available light and introducing textural variation within the monochromatic palette without compromising the design's essential minimalism. The chromatic restraint demonstrates confidence in form and proportion as primary expressive vehicles, the deep black operating simultaneously as absence and presence, as negative space that paradoxically commands attention through its density and as ground against which the figure's form and the garment's architecture achieve maximum legibility. The environmental setting contributes atmospheric resonance through its muted earth tones, desaturated greens, and weathered textures that establish autumnal or late seasonal character, the diffused natural lighting producing even illumination without harsh contrast, the overcast quality creating tonal compression that emphasizes formal relationships over dramatic chiaroscuro, this lighting choice supporting the contemplative mood established through the figure's introspective pose, downcast gaze, and quiet self-containment. The styling choices including the black head covering reinforce the minimalist aesthetic while creating streamlined continuity from crown to hem that emphasizes the body's vertical architecture, the sheer black hosiery extending the monochromatic commitment through to the footwear. The photograph seems to explore thematic territory concerning solitude, introspection, the relationship between human presence and wilderness, and fashion's capacity to function as both armor and expression, the figure's contemplative stillness within the tangled forest environment suggesting meditation on themes of order and chaos, construction and decay, designed permanence and organic temporality. The work may reference various artistic and photographic traditions including northern European landscape portraiture, contemporary fashion editorial practices that favor narrative ambiguity and environmental integration, and perhaps the atmospheric naturalism found in certain fine art photography that positions human subjects within rather than against natural settings, inviting viewers to consider how designed objects participate in broader aesthetic and philosophical dialogues when removed from commercial presentation contexts. One might observe how this integration of fashion object and natural environment proposes relationships between human creativity and organic forms, between the ephemeral nature of fashion and the cyclical permanence of natural processes, between solitude as isolation and solitude as contemplative space for connection with both self and environment, these conceptual layers enriching what might otherwise function solely as garment documentation to become meditation on presence, beauty, simplicity, and the quiet dignity fashion can achieve when stripped of superfluous ornament and positioned within contexts that invite reflection rather than consumption.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- "Back to Black" is a fashion collection that merges mythology, personal memory, and craftsmanship. Each look is adorned with intricate hand embroidery inspired by the night sky, symbolizing remembrance and transformation. The collection blends transparency, layering, and flowing silhouettes to evoke femininity and celestial beauty. Rooted in Ukrainian heritage, it pays homage to ancestral connections while embracing contemporary elegance.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The collection consists of three looks, all in size S. The garments are made from lightweight, elastic fabrics that take up minimal space and resist wrinkling. Each outfit is carefully folded and packaged in a protective, compact case measuring approximately 400 mm x 300 mm x 100 mm, ensuring safe transport and easy storage. The packaging preserves the delicate hand embroidery and structure of the designs, making them ready to wear or display upon arrival.
- Tags
- fashion design, fashion collection, hand embroidery, mythology-inspired, celestial fashion, Slavic mythology, night sky, beadwork, personal storytelling
- Production Technology
- The collection is crafted using elastic mesh for transparency and fluidity, along with stretch knit fabric that contours the body and adapts to different body types. Hand embroidery is meticulously applied using various types of beads and bugle beads to replicate the shimmering effect and texture of the starry sky. Every piece was fully designed, constructed, and sewn by hand, ensuring a unique artisanal touch and precise craftsmanship.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was translating deep personal meaning into a tangible collection. The balance between aesthetics and technical execution was crucial, especially due to the elasticity of the fabric and the intricacy of hand embroidery. Finding the right beads, colors, and techniques to maintain both durability and a shimmering celestial effect required extensive experimentation. Additionally, selecting a meaningful location for the photoshoot to reinforce the concept posed logistical challenges, eventually resolved by choosing a family home setting.
- Project Duration
- The project started in April 2024 and finished in August 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Operation Flow
- This collection offers a dual experience—it can be worn for special occasions, embodying elegance and symbolism, or admired as an artistic exhibit, evoking emotion and storytelling. Flowing silhouettes and intricate hand embroidery create a dynamic interplay of movement and light, enhancing its visual impact.
- Research
- This research explores the fusion of personal memory, mythology, and material innovation in fashion design. The objective was to create a collection that serves as a tribute to lost loved ones while incorporating elements of Slavic mythology, specifically the image of the god Khors, who guides souls along the Milky Way. The methodology included historical research, textile experimentation, and technical development of embroidery techniques suited for elastic fabrics. Data collection involved testing bead sizes, thread tension, and stitching methods to ensure the embroidery remained secure while preserving fabric elasticity. The research revealed that continuous thread embroidery, resembling a delicate web, provided both structural integrity and the shimmering effect of a starry sky. Additionally, the integration of flowing capes and draped silhouettes symbolized Khors’ cloak, reinforcing the mythological narrative. The insights gained demonstrate how fashion can transcend aesthetics to become a medium of storytelling, cultural heritage preservation, and personal catharsis.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the concept of returning to one's essence, "Back to Black" reflects personal memories, Ukrainian mythology, and the celestial beauty of the night sky. The collection embodies the duality of light and darkness, femininity and strength, nature and memory. Drawing from the symbolism of the god Khors and the vastness of the cosmos, it integrates hand embroidery, flowing silhouettes, and sheer layering to evoke a sense of nostalgia, spirituality, and timeless elegance.