Designed to speak
Photographer: Dylan Greene
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
Dora: My vision is rooted in self-expression. Since childhood, I personalized everything I touched—like painting sunflowers on my dad’s shirt and wearing it proudly. True artistry and confidence are born when you dare to express yourself, not by copying, but by being unapologetically you.
Juliia: My vision was shaped by a rich, evolving cultural heritage, even without an established fashion scene—we created it ourselves, which was invaluable. Icons like Carine Roitfeld and Kéti Grand inspired me; flipping through their work gave me goosebumps and sparked ideas I longed to bring to life. Even today, I dream in images, which often become the concepts I bring to life.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
Dora: One of my most exciting collaborations was with a photographer whose vision differed completely from mine. By layering my bold, sculptural styling with his dramatic shadows, we created something neither of us could have imagined alone—raw, rebellious, and alive. The takeaway: trust the process, experiment, and let creativity lead.
Juliia: Every project is like a lottery—full of emotions, adrenaline, and bursts of energy. In most cases, amazing results come from mixing talents with different experiences across countries. I get thrilled by projects where everything is unexplored and there’s so much at stake.
3. Walk us through a specific project that challenged your creative boundaries. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Dora: A project that pushed my creativity was born from thinking outside the box—like the night I opened my fridge and noticed its cinematic lighting, which sparked the idea of shooting a promo video inside. It taught me that inspiration hides in unexpected places if you stay curious enough to see it.
Juliia: I challenge myself with every shoot to create something fresh and recognizable. One of my toughest projects—a four-year book on the Ukrainian fashion scene—taught me the value of persistence, as capturing every key figure was a real struggle.
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
Dora: I embrace rawness and vulnerability, combining the unexpected, thinking outside the box and trusting the process—creating fashion that speaks emotions, not just looks, and reveals what the world often hides.
Juliia: My approach is to go beyond what exists and show beauty as I see it. From clothing to models and locations, I infuse everything I capture with passion, and I love that people can feel it—even in e-commerce shoots—because I enjoy capturing clothing in all its forms.
5. As you reflect on your journey, are there any specific goals or milestones you've set for your artistic career in the coming years?
Dora: I’m driven to show that fashion is never superficial—it’s a language, a mirror of emotion and identity, revealing what’s raw and meaningful beneath the surface. As for milestones, I like to keep them close until they’re realized—so all I’ll say is: keep watching me.
Juliia: I want to create a cultural hub in Toronto where fashion can thrive at a world-class level. This year, I aim for magazine covers and clients worldwide, while using Toronto as a launching pad to share my experience, support local talent, and help designers succeed—all while letting my style and vision reach a wider audience.
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"Designed to Speak" shines a light on the bold spirit of Canadian fashion—often overlooked, yet brimming with stories the world needs to hear. Set in the heart of Toronto, this editorial captures the city’s raw beauty and its power to shape identity and culture. It’s a celebration of voices that refuse to be silent, of talent rising from local streets to global runways. Here, Canada claims its place on the fashion map. Because in this city, design doesn’t whisper. It speaks—loud, clear, unforgettable.
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Creative Director/Photographer: Juliia Christ
Fashion Designer: VFOS
Model: Solomiya Skoryk
Fashion Designer: Jeanna Theone
Makeup Artist: Matthew King
Hair Stylist: Alena Skvortsova
Wardrobe Stylist: Dora Doriz
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Jeanna TheOne (The One Haute Couture)
The One Haute Couture
Cetasia
Sagradesa
Bra: the one haute couture; Skirt: VFOS