At the end of 90-s she lived and worked in the USA. She had an opportunity to stay in the States, but she returned to Ukraine - to create an image of Ukrainians and realize herself. In 1998 she fell into the clothing industry. Worked in the mass field-market, managed design projects. But she dreamed, so that from the acquired experience, one's own - living - business will grow.
Khrystyna Patyk is the founder of ethno-of the "Zerno" brand - modern clothes with Ukrainian national motifs. About the philosophy of the brand, Ukrainian style fashion, interest in the revival of traditions and love for life, Khrystia told exclusively for "Tt`s Craft".
Khrystyna Patyk started sewing clothes under her own brand in Kyiv in 2014 year. The wave of national elation suggested that it would be an outfit based on an authentic Ukrainian costume in an ethnic style. Not traditional national clothes, and things of modern design using elements of folk motifs.
"I have been interested in this topic for a long time. I myself am a Galician, from Lviv. I was brought up in these traditions. Even when I was a student, went on an expedition to Podil and Hutsul region to collect embroidered shirts, I have my own collection of authentic clothes,- says Ms. Khrystyna.- Therefore, I had a natural desire to create modern Ukrainian clothes with a national flavor. Not bean-making, and let it be the clothes of the Ukrainian intelligentsia, which people would be happy to wear not only not every day, but also on important events in their lives and thereby emphasized their national identity".
First the grain, and then a millstone
Production of clothes for Khrystyna Patyk is business, which develops and bears its fruits. This is in the very name of the brand. After all, grain, explains the crafts woman, carries the DNA of the future product, carries information about him. This is the basis of the process. And the process itself is the next stage.Now the "Zerno" team is working on the creation of a public organization with the symbolic name "Zhorna" - that's how stones for grinding grain are called in Ukraine. Mastery must multiply.
«Essentially, this is the implementation of social projects, which we have done before,- says the craftswoman.- "Zerno" has always been more than just a clothing brand, and an educational platform for eco-conscious people. When were we in Kyiv, spent eight years in a row in their show-room embroidery courses. People were released, who knew up to two hundred Ukrainian embroidery techniques. Then we gave these people orders and they made things for our brand.".
Last year, due to a large-scale invasion, Khrystyna Patyk moved from Kyiv to Transcarpathia. Lives with his family in a village hut, in the mountains, and very happy about that. He sees this as his own mission - to develop the Ukrainian countryside and help the youth. Cultivate patriotism and respect for traditions in her.
"This war showed, how strong is the propaganda of the enemy state. How much our children listened to Russian music and how long they did not speak Ukrainian. We lacked work with young people. Time flies very fast. And those, who are currently studying in schools or universities, in the coming years, they will become leaders of the state and enterprises. That's why it's so important, what is in their heads, what they are brought up on,- Ms. Khrystia is convinced.- There are no opportunities for children's development in the village.No circles, no sections, no educational work. I live here and see it all. That's why I want to support rural youth first of all".
The driving force behind everything is love...
Khrystyna Patyk creates public organization "Zhorna" together with students of the Department of Sociology of Uzhhorod University. Together they will conduct courses for entrepreneurs-beginners. In particular, for girls and women, so that they are not afraid to start their own business, could stay in the village and not go to Europe to earn money.
"Europe is beautiful.But Ukraine is better,- believes the craftswoman.- I often visit abroad. She recently returned from Vienna. It was a working trip of representatives of the sewing business to establish an international partnership.Before Independence Day, I was invited to Brussels for an exhibition, there were also presentations in Dusseldorf. Through clothes, through the sewing business, we present Ukraine to the world as a cultural one, modern, a prosperous state. We do not go to Europeans to learn from their experience. Vice versa:they must be brought to us, to show, how we work. We are more modern, we are more digital. We are more flexible in adapting to reality, that changes".
To be useful to people, among whom you live,- value, which Mrs. Christ confesses.For her, it's about responsibility. If she has already given birth to three children, then he has to put them all on their feet. If you have assembled a team, who believed in «Zerno" (and that 11 people, who take care of the brand, and there are still contractors in production), it must provide all of them with work and a decent salary, that they want to cooperate further.
"Where do I get my energy from?? Everyone asks me about it. Well, that's my shaman stuff,- the craftswoman laughs.- We moved to the village not only for that reason, who were hiding from the war, although this was the main incentive to do it right now. I have long dreamed of living on earth. I don't see myself in any city, not in the apartment. Despite that, I am as active as possible in business and often go to the city on business. In the same Lviv, where our office is now located, I work every week. But in the village I fill up. I drink spring water. They eat healthy food, which grew on this land. In the morning, I go out barefoot to the dew and open my arms, saluting the sun… I just love life.I love people.And this love drives me and my affairs".
Author: Iryna Shatalova
