As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Oksana Mukha.
Oksana Mukha discovered her passion for art at a young age and began creating her fashion creations while still in school. In 1991, a brand of wedding and evening dresses OKSANA MUKHA. For more than three decades her unique designs make thousands of brides happy. Oksana Mukha believes in the important role of the Creator in our lives. The tag on the OKSANA MUKHA dress contains the words “Be blessed,” which signify the blessing that has accompanied humanity since its beginning.
In this interview, she reflects on the pivotal moments, hard-earned lessons, and defining wins from her journey in building thriving online ventures.
You founded your brand in 1990, when bridal fashion in Ukraine practically did not exist. Can you take us back to the moment you created your first wedding dress — and how one single night changed everything?
I remember that night very clearly. It was a dress for my own wedding — a dress my husband-to-be very much wanted to see me in. The fact that I had only a beautiful suit for my wedding day, and not a gown, truly surprised him. “It has to be a dress,” he said.
Those words became my signal: I had to act, and act immediately, as the wedding was the very next day.
In Lviv, there were consignment shops that sold fabric remnants sent to Ukraine from abroad. I bought one of these remnants, found some decorative elements, and in one night managed to create what would later become the start of my life’s work.
When my fiancé arrived the next morning to pick me up, seeing me in a wedding dress, he was both astonished and overjoyed. And because he always had an entrepreneurial spirit, he instantly realized what I should be doing. From that moment, everything changed. It was not just a dress — it was the birth of a journey.
What did it mean for you — as a young artist in post-Soviet Ukraine — to envision a bridal fashion house at a time when the industry as such barely existed?
It was both a challenge and a tremendous freedom. No one told you how things “should” be; there were no rules. There was only space for imagination and the desire to create something entirely new — and very necessary at that time. Back then, there were neither large-scale productions nor even small ateliers specializing in bridal wear.
This idea never left me, and eventually, I decided to take the risk and try. I was inspired by the thought that even in difficult times, it is possible to create something beautiful and needed — after all, I had already experienced this and achieved great results.
From that moment, I began to act. And it worked. Because if you move forward step by step, doing what truly speaks to you, what you believe is important and brings joy to others — it is always worth taking that path and walking it.
It was one of the ways I could build my future despite the circumstances. A wedding dress is always about hope — the beginning of something new. For me, it was a beginning too.
How did your studies at the Lviv State Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts shape your creative vision and early approach to design?
Art school gave me the most important things — a deep understanding of form, composition, and color, as well as the history of costume, especially garments for special occasions that can speak about you, set you apart, and be “in tune” with you. I saw the connection between the past and the present, and to me, it was an unbroken line. Even now, I believe the past is a source from which we continually draw ideas and vision.
I learned to think like an artist and a designer. This undoubtedly shaped my signature style, taught me to pay attention to details, and master the art of working with decoration — both restrained and refined.
I learned to see a dress as a work of art, not just clothing.
Today, OKSANA MUKHA dresses are worn by brides in more than 70 countries. What do you think resonates most with women around the world in your designs?
I believe it’s the emotion. Every one of my dresses has a soul. Women feel it — that harmony between classic elegance and modern strength. I create for the woman who is an individual: strong yet gentle, authentic and free, no matter the circumstances or the country she lives in.
What were the key turning points that helped your brand grow from a local atelier into an internationally recognized bridal brand?
Our first fashion show abroad. Our first export. Our first partner salon in Europe. But the most important moment was when I realized I must preserve my authenticity — my voice — because that is the most valuable thing. And when we began to speak it loudly, the world heard us.
As a Ukrainian designer leading a global brand, how do you preserve your cultural identity and heritage while speaking to an international audience?
I deeply believe that it is precisely through the uniqueness of culture that we become interesting to the world. In every collection, there is an echo of my Ukrainian soul — in the shapes, symbols, handwork, and colors. It is my DNA, my source of strength. Being Ukrainian is my pride.
Your 2026 ÉCLAT collection is described as “sculptural yet romantic; restrained yet strong.” What inspired you, and what story are you telling through it?
ÉCLAT is about the light that lives within a woman — her depth, tenderness, and at the same time, her ability to change the world around her. I was inspired by sculptures and architecture that embody form and strength yet radiate inner beauty. It’s like poetry. This collection is about the harmony of the outer and the inner, and about the light within each of us — the light that makes us who we are.
How do you balance timeless elegance with innovation in your collections, especially in a constantly evolving bridal fashion landscape?
I believe in timeless beauty. But at the same time, I follow new materials, technologies, and the needs of modern women. My task is to preserve the DNA of the brand while developing it in the language of today. It’s like music — a classical melody played on new instruments.
What emotions or qualities do you want brides to feel when wearing an OKSANA MUKHA gown?
I want them to feel like they are the only one in the world — beautiful, unique, loved, happy, blessed. I want that when a bride looks at herself in the mirror, she says: “Thank you, God, that this moment has come in my life. How beautiful I am, and how this dress has added joy and happiness to my wedding day.”
The message of each of our dresses is: be blessed. And there is great power in that. I want every bride to feel blessed.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in growing your business, especially as a female entrepreneur in newly independent Ukraine?
There were countless challenges — from the lack of resources to skepticism: “It’s just fashion, why invest so much?” But the hardest thing was holding on to faith in my own vision. I went against the grain. And every time I wanted to give up, I remembered why I began.
What role has resilience played in your journey? And how do you stay motivated during times of uncertainty or change?
Resilience is something without which none of this would exist. I learned to see new opportunities in challenges. And I know for certain that we are never alone. My hope is my God, whom I trust and walk with, and to whom I am deeply grateful. And beside me are my team, my family, partners, and clients. There is great power and blessing in that.
For some, doors close because they can’t overcome difficulties; for others, they open precisely in times of trial. And for some, the doors of opportunity remain open constantly — and with my character and view of life, I belong to that category. Regardless of what is happening in the world, and in our country in particular, as long as the Earth turns, we can create masterpieces that touch the heart. And when inspiration comes from a sincere heart, everything falls into harmony.
The war my country is currently enduring is one of the most difficult challenges. But we stand and we prevail. More than that — our country has begun to come alive again, to finally break free from post-Soviet control and oppression, and to develop in a new way. There would have been no changes without revolutions and the strain of economic and political challenges.
When you have a calling, you always move ahead — and our company is an example of such constant movement and growth. We grew during the pandemic, and even in wartime. During economic crises, we expanded production capabilities instead. Because when you don’t immerse yourself in external circumstances but work from within — you get an entirely different result.
Perhaps this is also our Ukrainian genetic code — the code of winners. I believe that those who have a deep understanding of who they are and what they are meant to do in this world will keep moving and winning no matter what. No circumstances will stop such people. On the contrary, challenges temper them and open new horizons, because difficulties are meant for growth and forward movement.
What advice would you give to young designers — especially women from underrepresented regions in the fashion industry — who dream of building their own brand on their own terms?
Believe in yourself even when no one else does. Don’t be afraid to be different. And work — every day, with inspiration and love. The world needs your voice. Don’t wait for the perfect moment — start where you are, with what you have.
If you could start a movement or send a global message through your work, what would it be, and why is it personally important to you?
My message: beauty is not a luxury, but a language of hope. I would like fashion to teach us to see and create good, to support one another, to build relationships with depth and meaning. Pure aesthetics is not enough. Fashion has the power to inspire, unite, transform, and bring an understanding of true freedom and beauty.
For me, fashion is a full-fledged art form, just like painting or sculpture. But while an artist creates a few works, we create 70–80 pieces in each collection, each detail a masterpiece, each shape like a sculpture. It is my way of staying in living contact with the world and sharing true beauty.
What is your long-term vision for the OKSANA MUKHA brand? How would you like it to continue evolving?
I see the brand as a home — open, warm, modern. A home where dreams are born and come to life. I want us to remain true to our aesthetics while moving boldly forward: opening new markets, new formats, new generations. And for the woman — with her dreams, her desire to be an individual, especially on her special day — to always be at the center. Our mission is to bring happiness to people in the most unforgettable moments of their lives.
Where can our readers see your latest collections, follow your journey, or connect with the brand online?
Our official website is the best place to explore our new collections, find a boutique, or make an inquiry. We also actively share news and inspiration on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. We are always open to connecting with our brides and partners worldwide.
