Darina Denisova - ArtEZ Alumni Index

“Never again” is a phrase our grandparents, parents, and everyone around us repeated. A mantra seemingly woven into our DNA by the hor- rors of World War II.

Each year, we wished each other a peaceful sky above. However, almost two years ago, on a February morning, Russia launched a full-scale at- tack on Ukraine. I grew up in the Czech Republic, but I am Russian, from St. Peters-burg. I miss home dearly, but the pain is that it’s no longer there. The street remains the same, the building stands, people walk, but on February 24, 2022, my home was stolen.

This project is about grief and loss, about my anger and hope. I can’t compare it to the experiences of Ukrainians, but my pain doesn’t fade, and I can’t stay silent. This collection is not just a series of fashion looks but a narrative jour- ney through grief and renewal. It aims to resonate on a deeply emotional level, offering a visual and tactile representation of the complex emo- tions tied to the experience of losing and finding one’s motherland. This fashion collection explores the grief and ambivalent emotions tied to the motherland, reworking the loss through seven distinct looks. Each look represents a unique archetype, with extensive research backing their narratives.

ARTIST BIO

I am Darina Denisova, an artist specializing in fashion design. I graduated from Artez in 2024 and have since dedicated my career to exploring complex themes through my work. Currently, I am a project manager for anti-war exhibitions with the collective All Rights Reversed. My role involves organizing impactful events that foster dialogue and promote positive social change through art. With a deep commitment to creating safe spaces for artists opposing political oppression, I aim to amplify their voices and advocate for a better future. My journey in fashion over the past four years has shaped me into an artist who sees fashion as a powerful medium for expressing personal and political realities. Through my work, I strive to navigate and rework profound emotions, transforming them into visual narratives that inspire hope and resilience.