Ukrainian Business Under Fire: How Indposhiv Preserves Craft, Jobs, and Dignity During War
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Special Correspondents
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2026/09/28
Scott Douglas Jacobsen in conversation with Kateryna Vozianova
Information Agency “Special Correspondents”
Kateryna Vozianova is a Ukrainian entrepreneur and founder of Indposhiv, a Kyiv-based bespoke tailoring house with more than 17 years of experience. Working with a team of skilled tailors, she serves business leaders, public figures, and military personnel, focusing on craftsmanship, precise fit, and respect for individual needs.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What did the full-scale invasion set in motion for Indposhiv?
Kateryna Vozianova: In 2022, we made a decision that might not seem obvious at first—we started producing ready-to-wear collections. Many assume it was because the war limited in-person work or shifted client priorities. But the real reason was our team.
Before the invasion, we employed around 50 tailors. We have our own production facilities in Kyiv. We are not just a brand—we manufacture everything ourselves. When the war began, we needed to ensure that our people could continue working and earning a living. That became our priority.
At the same time, bespoke tailoring remains the heart of Indposhiv.
Jacobsen: How has your work evolved during the war?
Vozianova: In 2023, we also began tailoring military parade uniforms for both men and women. Our work has adapted, but our philosophy has not changed.
We focus on classic clothing. Trends may shift—lapel widths, fabrics—but a well-made suit remains timeless. For us, the key is proportion, structure, and fit.
A suit is not just clothing. It is architecture.
Jacobsen: What do you mean by the “architecture” of a suit?
Vozianova: I’m not a tailor myself, but after 17 years in this business, I see clear parallels with architecture. Just like a building starts from precise drawings, a suit begins with patterns that transform into a three-dimensional form.
We work with measurements, proportions, and materials that react differently to heat, pressure, and movement. In that sense, we are not just designers—we are also engineers.
Jacobsen: How do you choose fabrics?
Vozianova: We focus on natural materials. We work with some of the best mills in the world—Loro Piana, Dormeuil, Scabal, Dugdale.
Because we create bespoke garments, we order fabric specifically for each client. This minimizes waste. Our suits are designed to last for many years, and we even provide a lifetime guarantee.
Quality is not optional—it is fundamental.
Jacobsen: Who are your clients?
Vozianova: Businesspeople have always been our core audience. Before the full-scale invasion, politicians made up about 40% of our clientele, but I intentionally avoided dependence on them.
We have worked with international figures as well. For example, we created garments for Jean-Claude Van Damme during a film project in Kyiv. We have also tailored suits for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and worked with General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
But for us, there is no such thing as an unimportant client. Every person who walks through our door deserves the same level of attention.
Jacobsen: What has changed most in your clients during the war?
Vozianova: Their mindset.
Some of our most inspiring clients today are military personnel. Many of them say the same thing: “Everything will be fine.” That confidence is powerful—it supports not only them, but also us.
When I speak to my team, I share these conversations. It gives people strength to continue working, even under difficult circumstances.
Jacobsen: How do you adapt suits for clients who have been injured in the war?
Vozianova: This is one of the most important parts of our work today.
We now have clients who have lost limbs. Our task is not only technical—it is human. We must ensure comfort, practicality, and dignity.
For example, we may integrate hidden zippers or structural adjustments to allow easier use of prosthetics. We can adapt garments to body armor, concealed pockets, or specific physical conditions.
Every solution is individual.
Jacobsen: What do clients want to express through their clothing?
Vozianova: Confidence. Strength. Presence.
A well-made suit can start a conversation. It can change how others perceive you—and how you perceive yourself.
In Ukraine, there has always been a sense of being underestimated, especially in international contexts. Clothing becomes a way to communicate self-worth and dignity.
Jacobsen: How do you personally define taste and balance?
Vozianova: For me, it is about restraint.
If I had to choose, I would say the ideal color is dark grey. It is versatile, elegant, and timeless.
As for symbolism—I like the number nine. It represents progress. You are close to ten, but not quite there. There is still something to achieve.
That reflects how I see both life and work: always moving forward, always improving.
Jacobsen: Thank you for your time.
Vozianova: Thank you.
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