Hutsul ornaments, chestnuts and dragons: ETNODIM and UNITED24 have created vyshyvankas for each platform star ambassador. Extra versions will be raffled among donors worldwide

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ETHNODIM took designs from different regions of Ukraine as a basis for embroidery, supplementing them with elements related to each ambassador. The ornament on Michel Hazanavicius' embroidered shirt is characteristic of Volyn, because the grandmother of the Oscar-winning director is from Kovel. A dark blue shirt, embroidered with bright stars, is an extra reminder of Scott Kelly's two memorable trips — to outer space and to Ukraine. Katheryn Winnick's vyshyvanka features traditional elements from Halychyna, where the actress' grandparents are from. The shirt colors and embellishments  of Imagine Dragons'  Dan Reynolds  are typical of traditional rushnyk embroidery from Eastern Podillia, but with stylized dragons instead of horses. A fringe was added to the shirt of country star, Brad Paisley; it was created based on the work of the outstanding Ukrainian artist, Oleksandr Sayenko. Andriy Shevchenko's vyshyvanka's design was based on traditional geometric embroidery of the Kyiv region, featuring chestnut leaves, so that it would always remind the football legend of his hometown.

"In its collections, ETNODIM combines traditional patterns with symbols of modern Ukraine. This is how ancient Ukrainian traditions acquire a new sound. It was valuable for us to participate in the creation of embroidery for people who support Ukraine during the most difficult time in our history. Some of the vyshyvankas are dedicated to the Ukrainian roots of the ambassadors, and have patterns specific to the regions where their families come from: Liev Schreiber's from Odesa, Barbra Streisand's from Ternopil. Some have special elements that combine Ukrainian traditions and the ambassador's life's work: the stars and planets on Scott Kelly's shirt, or the animals that the adventurer Bear Grylls met in his travels. Now these embroidered shirts will go to different countries: France, Canada, the US and England, and will always remind the UNITED24 ambassadors both about their important work and the strong connection with Ukraine, which will stay even after our victory." — ETNODIM.

"Fifteen months after the start of a full-scale war, we take on every opportunity to engage donors from 110 countries and attract extra focus to Ukraine. The vyshyvankas project does both at once. It will help finish the fundraiser for the reconstruction of the school in Buzova village, which was destroyed by russian troops during the Kyiv offensive in March 2022. $1,250,000 is required to restore the educational institution. Only $200,000 remained to be raised. Apart from that, vyshyvankas will tell the whole world about our history and culture. We're sure they'll be of interest to anyone who admires our ambassadors." — UNITED24.

None of these vyshyvankas can be purchased. But you can win one by making a $24 donation. The fundraiser lasts from May 18 to June 1. The number of contributions from one participant is unlimited.