REPULO’S at Warsaw Fashion Week 2025: Interview with the Founder

The Ukrainian pleated occasion-wear brand presented its own boutique at Browary Warszawskie. Kateryna Nechyporenko on why fashion weeks matter, what clients experience in person, and the philosophy behind every REPULO’S collection.

At Warsaw Fashion Week 2025, REPULO’S presented its own boutique at Browary Warszawskie — a milestone in the European growth of the Ukrainian fashion brand of pleated occasion wear. In short: for REPULO’S a fashion week is not merely a runway, but a chance to be seen, to meet clients in person, and to show exclusive pieces that never reach the online catalogue. We spoke with founder and head designer Kateryna Nechyporenko about why taking part in fashion weeks is so important, what makes the event different for clients, and the philosophy the brand puts into its collections.

01 — WhyWhy REPULO’S takes part in Warsaw Fashion Week

— Fashion weeks exist to showcase the most current ideas and define the trends of the future. Why is taking part important to you, and what role do these events play for the brand?

— I believe a brand should use every opportunity to show itself and grow closer to its clients. Fashion Week is one of the most recognised and significant events in the fashion world. It is a chance to make a statement, present your work, and join the global conversation about fashion.

A fashion week is not just a clothing show. It is a stage for ideas — often bold and experimental. In Paris or Milan we see pieces created as symbols and visions rather than for instant sale. Designers demonstrate the direction fashion is heading and the themes that move society. Those ideas are then adapted for the mass market, and a year later we see them in stores. The fashion week format was made for exactly this.

02 — MythCan you simply “buy” a spot on the runway?

— People often say any brand can pay to take part and walk the runway. Doesn’t that devalue the event?

— That’s not really true. There is a selection process. A brand submits its portfolio and information about itself, and only then receives an invitation. The major fashion weeks — Paris, Milan, New York — protect their reputation and vet the quality of collections. Yes, commercial events exist, but prestigious fashion weeks remain a mark of professional recognition. For me, Fashion Week is a “showcase of the future”: you don’t only announce yourself — you become a co-author of trends, shaping what the world will wear tomorrow.

03 — ExperienceWhat visitors gained at the event

— Why should clients come to a fashion week rather than simply buy a dress online?

— It’s a one-of-a-kind experience. First, clients meet the designer in person. I was there every day, talking through each model and helping choose a look for the individual — her figure and her temperament.

Second, it is precisely at Fashion Week that we present exclusive models unavailable on the site or in stores — the premiere of the collection. And of course the fitting: clients discover their exact size, and I personally take measurements for a made-to-measure order or for adjusting a model. No online store can offer that.

04 — PhilosophyFashion as an art form with its own idea

— Do you agree that fashion is an art form with its own philosophy, and that events like this convey it best?

— Yes. People see me in person and feel the atmosphere of the brand. I always say: don’t wait for an occasion to wear a beautiful dress. Simply put it on, feel beautiful — and the occasion will find you. Our pieces underline femininity and add confidence. When I explain how a model is created and the idea it carries, it becomes easier for clients to understand the philosophy of REPULO’S — a brand of pleated evening dresses, suits and trousers.

05 — LocationWhy Warsaw and Browary Warszawskie

— You have taken part in Toronto Fashion Week several times. Why was Warsaw the next stop, and why Browary Warszawskie specifically?

— In Toronto we showed every season for two and a half years. It let us get to know the Canadian audience — interestingly, our clothes were bought not only by women but by men too. But we want to go further. Our goal is to become known in Europe. Warsaw is a genuine fashion hub, the heart of Europe, where style and beauty are valued. I live here as a designer, so it matters to me to build REPULO’S with a real understanding of the local client.

Browary Warszawskie is an aesthetic, atmospheric venue that suits fashion shows perfectly. Here visitors can not only view the collection but also spend time, enjoy good food and take stylish photos.

06 — Q&AWarsaw Fashion Week: frequently asked questions