Detailing the impact on her home country of Ukraine, Viktoriia Vradii expresses her experience alongside one of the most stunning collections we’ve seen all year. Her images are powerful and her words are even more moving. Below Viktoriia details how the world has changed around her and her salon, where she gains inspiration from, and how investing your time in education helps you become more fearless in all aspects of styling.
On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine. How are you experiencing this war that affects your country - does it influence your day to day, within your salon and as a hairdressing trainer?
In the early hours of February 24 my country, my home city shuddered at the powerful explosions. Hardly realizing what was going to happen next, I opened the doors of my salon that morning. But when the next series of explosions made the windows vibrate, I had clear overwhelming awareness that the war had begun. During the next four weeks of the war, everyone who worked in my salon went away. I don’t have many clients left, but I want to say a big thank you to those who stayed in the city no matter what. I am ready to continue my work and do my best for anyone who needs it. No doubt, life now will be nothing like what it used to be. It’s impossible to make any plans further than the end of the day and then wait and see what a new day brings. But there’s one thing I know for sure – these days I feel happy I’m able to work!
How would you define Ukrainian hairdressing (cut, color and styling)? How is it different from other countries?
I am 100% sure that Ukrainian hairstylists have always aspired and will always aspire to study and obtain new skills and experiences in our home country as well as abroad. These days, from the comfort of our own homes we can follow the newest trends in hairdressing and more. Our clients are quite demanding, so the level of the hairdresser must keep up with the demands. If we compare Ukraine with, let’s say, an Asian country, we’ll see different possibilities due to the differences in structure and texture of natural hair base. We can argue with that though. Nowadays the markets are flooded with a range of hair products, which allow you to make the impossible possible. In addition, I must note that Ukrainian women as well as men, really want to look fashionable and follow modern trends.
You have just published your Gothic collection, darker and more powerful than the previous one, Gems. How have you evolved to take that creative leap?
I can say with full certainty that this step reflects the ongoing development process. It involves trying new things all the time, challenging your own limits. It makes me bored to repeat myself and this time for my new collection I found myself inspired by rich deep colors and distinctive forms.
What are your main sources of inspiration when creating colour for a hairdressing collection or editorial work?
Actually, pretty much everything can become a source of inspiration at a certain point. For example, art, in all its forms, nature, events happening around, emotions and feelings – all of these things can inspire me. In day-to-day work, of course, I seek ideas in contemporary hairstyling trends and tendencies.
To what extent does color depend on inspiration or technique? Which of these aspects is most important to you?
The vision and the idea is what I see as a crucial element. The way you are going to implement it is entirely up to your qualification, skills at hand, and the level you have mastered the technique. When you see the aim, the destination, the next question would be - how to reach it. Inspiration is essential for me – once you have it, all the other elements will fall into place.
What are your favorite color techniques and why?
My favorites are balayage, ombre, shatush and others related to them. These techniques give us enormous potential, the possibility to combine them in different ways. You will avoid repetition and get an individual approach, which I value very highly. Apart from that, working with different color palettes can help meet any client’s requests, especially if you work in a salon.
In your opinion, what are the main color trends in European hairdressing? And in the rest of the world?
The way I see it, natural colors and shades are becoming more and more dominant. Even bright nuances, which were extremely popular not long ago, are now presented in a more calm and restrained manner. It’s important to accept that we will always have the blondes, the brunettes, the brown-haired, the red-haired, and the women with multicolored hair of course. Any trend is short-termed, it’s here and now, but not forever. Undoubtedly, when it comes to trends of today - it’s Very Peri, no matter where you are in the world.
What would you say to stylists who are afraid to experiment with color?
I believe you definitely should not have fear in the first place. Secondly, and this is relevant to self-education, the more you learn the more you feel urged to try and do. Once you’ve given it a go, every next time will go more easily and fear will go away. And thirdly, ask your client directly. Who knows, maybe for the ten years they’ve been coming and sitting down in your chair, they’ve been secretly dreaming of vanilla-pink hair strands? United, you can move mountains!
Lastly, can you tell us about your upcoming projects for the rest of the year?
Of course, I have plans, and have plans to be made! It doesn’t come easy under the circumstances. Nevertheless, I feel quite sure I will be able to participate in international contests and projects. And I will create another collection or more.
But now I only want one thing – to have peace! Glory to Ukraine!
