The eye has to travel X Olga Yanul

I started my career in fashion magazines more than 15 years ago and have worked as the fashion editor for Vogue Ukraine, and contributing to Vogue Portugal and Vogue CZ, just to name a few. I moved to LA 5 years ago—where I continue working with magazines (L’Officiel Ukraine Fashion Director, among others), fashion brands, as well as establishing my look as a creator at large. 

I was born in Ukraine and lived in Kyiv most of my life. I am lucky that I get to travel a lot for work, since that’s one of my biggest sources of energy and inspiration. One of those travels led me to LA, where I’m based now. 

My first trip to LA was part of a press trip. I was working at Vogue Ukraine back then and was invited for a special event here. Funny enough, I remember one of the moments from that trip—I went to Santa Monica and was admiring the ocean. That moment I thought that I could live here. A few years later, I’m back to LA for a cover shoot with Milla Jovovich and was introduced to my then-future husband by a mutual friend. It was more of a networking meeting for me that turned out to be something much bigger. :)) 

I have been interested in fashion magazines since I was a teen. I remember buying all the available magazines in Kyiv. My room looked like a magazine archive — they were literally everywhere and I was reading every word—be it advertising credits or address books. I learned all the models’ names, all the designers' backgrounds, etc., from just reading the magazines. Then, later in school, I had a friend who was modeling and I would go to lots of events and castings with her—I got to know the fashion world from the inside. After university (I have an MA in Economics), I knew I had to do what I love. So I started in a small local lifestyle newspaper and then step by step, in a few years, ended up working in big fashion magazines. 

I absolutely love to travel! It just makes me feel alive. “The eye has to travel" is my motto about my main passion. I love to experience new cultures, new locations, new food. I absorb everything I think is inspiring. I love art (I even tried to do some myself), am very inspired by architecture, and love incredible nature and animals. All the beautiful new experiences that the world has to suggest to me.  

I think people have just gotten used to the war now. So the most important thing is to understand that it's still happening and many innocent people are dying just because they are Ukrainian.

Support the Ukrainian creative class: fashion, music, photography, art, etc.—we need to keep showing people that it's an incredibly strong and talented nation. And its creative class needs attention like never before. 

I love timeless pieces and artsy pieces. So it's always a mix of both! 

I love oversized men's cut jackets and coats!

I love to add some fun accessories -- statement bracelets or sunnies, fun edgy shoes. 

Find a few things that look the best on you nevertheless the trend. Then just play around with those adding fun and statement pieces. 

Find a few things that look the best on you nevertheless the trend. Then just play around with those adding fun and statement pieces.