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AW Collection

Originating from generations long past, pre-Christianity, the Ukrainian vinok is a crown lovingly and longingly handmade of flowers, wax, vines, ribbons, greenery, and a headband-like paper backing. 

First worn as a symbol of fertility by young women eligible for marriage; vinoks were placed in the water during a village-wide celebration (the solstice holiday, Ivan Kupala) and floated across the water towards the eligible men waiting eagerly on the other shore.  Whichever man caught a maiden's vinok would become her husband within the year.  Though not how the ritual was intended, eligible bachelors were known to jump headfirst into the murky, coursing water after the vinok of whichever woman they most desired--yet another historical testament to the unbridled power of a woman's kindness, creativity, intelligence, and beauty. 

In recent generations, the Ukrainian vinok is a symbol of celebration, of pride in oneself and one's origins. Particularly following Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea and subsequent 2022 incursion of additional sovereign Ukrainian soil, it has become a worldwide symbol of resilience in the face of war and tragedy. 

In short, the vinok is a powerful marriage of creativity, beauty, and intense work required to materialize a positive future for everyone. 
After all, it takes a village...

About

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Alexandra Nichols, Founder

VINOK

Vibrant in life and in spirit

International in heart and in citizenship

Neoteric in crossroads and dreams

Obligated to Combat Exploitation of Living Things

Knowledgeable of Others’ Hardships and Cultures

*These are the values upon which Vinok is structured.*

I'm on fire for life, a lover of people and creativity, and an insatiable believer in the beauty of our world.  I find such power in knowing my roots...roots in faith, in conviction, and even in genealogy (which are showcased fully in Vinok). My fashion influences come from my global travel, my love of the simple, and my deep appreciation of nuance.  Starting this personal styling consultancy has been a longstanding dream of mine; I finally realized my potential after the passing of my beloved Ukrainian-American grandmother, Stephania.  Thank you for being a part of this journey with me! Дякую!

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Client Reviews

As a plus-size model who has spent years in the industry, I was not expecting to learn anything new, but I DID! I was deeply impressed by her use of my color palette and knowledge of styles and textiles to elevate my overall look. Thanks to her recommendations I now have a completely different mindset about purchasing items that I would have previously bought without a second thought.  I have become more discerning, thanks to her, and I am saving money. She really cares about her clients, the environment, & what she brings to the world. She created a whole style board that encompassed every aspect of my sense of fashion, personality, and confidence from a short survey. I highly recommend Vinok for anyone who wants to take their style to the next level.  I immediately recommended her services to my niece. Alexandra teaches her clients; we talked about breathability of certain fabrics, the right shape of heel, and ethical practices of the brands she recommended.  My clothes last longer too.  So happy with Vinok!

 

- Helei, as seen on Celebrity Undercover Boss Thirties Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, USA

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