Last year, Frolov was one of three designers to appear in the first Ukrainian Fashion Week presentation in London, but this month the Kyiv-based brand – worn by stars like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Dua Lipa – showed its second solo collection on the London Fashion Week schedule.

Inspired by his childhood memories of holidays in the Crimea, the collection was a mix of noughties references, leopard print and leathers. We asked founder and creative director Ivan Frolov 10 Questions to find out more…

Describe your AW24 collection in 3 words...
Crimea, first love, and the Black Sea.

Name one person, living or dead, that you would want to wear the collection.
Roxolana, a legendary Ukrainian woman who was sold as a slave to a Turkish Sultan and became the ruler of the Ottoman Empire.

What's your favourite piece and why?
My favourite pieces in this collection are the ones embellished with corset bones and crystals. This is my interpretation of the traditional Crimean-Tatar "kokyuskluk," which was originally made of metal coins and served as the inspiration for the embroidery in this collection.

Which piece took the longest to perfect?
The pieces with drapery took the longest to create.

What are your pre-show rituals?
I don't have a specific pre-show ritual, but in our team, we consider it a good omen if I announce what the next collection will be about the night before the show of the current one.

How will you celebrate when the show is over?
Previously, our brand was associated with loud parties that ended early in the morning, but given the circumstances, it's out of our agenda now. It will be a modest toast with gratitude to the team for making the show happen and to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for enabling us to continue our work during these challenging times.

What are your highlights from 40 years of London Fashion Week?
For me, the highlights have always been the shows of Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen. Additionally, my childhood memories of watching these shows and dreaming of presenting my collections during this iconic Fashion Week in London are truly special to me.

What is it about London that continues to energize your creativity?
London is probably the second city, after my hometown Kyiv, where I feel at home. This connection is inexplicable to me, but it inspires me, as I can always find beauty in every corner of the city.

What drives you to keep making clothes?
From the very start, my mission has been clear: to use fashion as a platform for addressing provocative and sensitive topics, rather than just manufacturing clothes for its own sake. The new concepts and meanings I discover and want to research will always drive me to continue doing what I do best.