A man walks past a closed H&M store in a St. Petersburg, Russia, shopping center.
Photo: Igor Russak/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
On February 24, after weeks of tension, Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine and began an invasion of the country that has left many stunned. The world has been scrambling to find ways to support Ukraine from afar. In response, fashion brands like H&M, Nike, and Puma have altered their operations in Russia, and companies like LVMH, Kering, and Burberry have offered aid to Ukrainians.
Individuals in the fashion world have also used their platforms to stand up for Ukraine. 1 Granary, a global network for fashion graduates founded by the Ukrainian Central Saint Martins alum Olya Kuryshchuk, released an open letter to condemn the Russian invasion. As of now, 2,500 people have signed it, including fashion designers Christopher Kane, Charlotte Knowles, Richard Malone, and Erin Hawkes.
Below, read how brands are responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Suspended its partnership with the Russian Football Union and is donating 100,000 euros (about $110,915), footwear, and apparel to organizations helping children and refugees.
Wiped its Instagram channel and donated an undisclosed amount to the U.N. World Food Programme, a humanitarian organization.
Donating an undisclosed amount to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. The brand also announced it would match any employee donations to charities supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
Donating contributions received at stage presentations and fashion shows to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR.
Donating $500,000 to the UNHCR through its long-standing global campaign Chime for Change.
Paused all sales in Russia and closed the 170 stores located throughout the country as well as the stores in Ukraine.
Made a donation to the UNHCR in an undisclosed amount.
Stated that “LVMH has today decided to make a first emergency donation of 5 million euros to support the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help the direct and indirect victims of this conflict.” The group is also providing aid to its 150 Ukrainian workers and launching a fundraising campaign in support of the ICRC.
Announced that online and app purchases will be unavailable in Russia moving forward.
Providing support for families and individuals who are fleeing Ukraine.
Stopped deliveries to Russia, though stores in the country remain open. Puma has offered financial support and housing options in western Ukraine to its 380 employees in Ukraine and the surrounding area.
Shared that it would be making a donation to World Central Kitchen.
Donating products to victims and refugees by shipping 8,000 items through Give Back Box Charity, Inc.
Partnered with humanitarian groups to help provide what is needed to the displaced and stopped all shipments to its sales channels in Russia.
Donating 500,000 euros to the UNHCR.
