Lessja Verlingieri, a Ukrainian designer, made a one-of-a-kind 'Love Letter to Ukraine' dress to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Verlingieri, the founder of Lever Couture (located in Los Angeles), worked with British artists — Jenny Williams, creative director, and Ricci Williams, art director — to send a message of love to Ukraine by inviting groups and people to contribute their thoughts. They would be engraved on a handcrafted couture gown and an NFT.
Milla Jovovich and Krysten Ritter have also provided their own love words to be put on the translucent white gown.
"We are delighted to introduce our 'Love Letter to Ukraine' project, an innovative initiative that aims to transmit words of love and hope from all over the world," according to the official love letter to Ukraine website. "We are encouraging people all around the world to contribute their own love messages by posting them online, combining creativity and technology. These sentiments will be printed on fabric and made into a one-of-a-kind couture gown, which will be given back to the people of Ukraine as a symbol of its beauty and strength in the midst of adversity."
According to The Independent, the gown will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to the Zelenska Foundation, which was founded by Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska.
"This outfit symbolises the sense of community and camaraderie that the project rallies around," the report said. "Each letter can add something unique and distinctive, resulting in a beautiful work of art from the completed fabric combination of storytelling. The clothing will bring life to the tales, memories, and experiences shared by all people who have written a letter for this worthy cause," as stated in the report.
Jenny Williams told The Independent, "We wanted to do something that reflected the outpour of love the whole world has for Ukraine and unite people."
(With Inputs From Agencies)