Zoriana Semeniuk: The Art of Building a Fashion Legacy
Zoriana Semeniuk, founder of AKEL Couture and the Fashion Days platforms across Europe, on creative ambition, motherhood and building a career beyond borders.
Her journey in fashion began in 2011, when she became President of the Ukrainian Fashion Association. She went on to establish the Ukrainian Fashion Academy and launch Odessa Fashion Week, laying the groundwork for a career that would eventually extend across Europe.
Today, Zoriana Semeniuk leads a network of fashion platforms in Paris, Milan, Rome, Cannes and Monaco, while developing her own label, AKEL Couture, and raising four children.
How does she navigate the demands of an international career alongside creativity and motherhood? In an interview with FashionX Magazine, Semeniuk reflects on her journey from Ukraine’s fashion scene to European runways, the personal story behind her brand and the ambitions shaping her next chapter.
How did your early work in Ukraine shape your journey into international fashion?
My journey began in 2011, when I became President of the Ukrainian Fashion Association. The following year, I founded the Ukrainian Fashion Academy to support education, professional development and emerging talent. In 2015, I launched Odessa Fashion Week, creating a platform for designers, models, media and creative professionals.
These initiatives gave me more than experience in organising fashion shows. They taught me how to develop international partnerships, support emerging designers and bring creativity and business together.
A new chapter began in March 2025 with Paris Fashion Days at Hôtel Plaza Athénée. This was followed by Monaco Fashion Days at Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo in May, Rome Fashion Days at Villa Piccolomini in June and Milan Fashion Days at Istituto dei Ciechi in September. In May 2026, Cannes Fashion Days at the Carlton Cannes marked another step in our European expansion.
For me, fashion has always been about discovering talent, connecting people from different countries and building a professional community that extends beyond borders.
What inspired you to create AKEL Couture, and what is the story behind the brand?
AKEL Couture was born from a very personal story. The name comes from my husband’s surname, while the idea of creating the brand was also inspired by my eldest son, Maxim. I wanted it to reflect both my family and my own creative vision.
After years of supporting designers, producing fashion events and developing international platforms, I felt ready to express myself as a designer. AKEL Couture became a natural continuation of that journey.
From the beginning, I wanted to create elegant, feminine and memorable collections, with particular attention to craftsmanship, detail and individuality. I wanted each look to make a woman feel elegant, empowered and unmistakably herself.
Our motto, “Shining is our DNA,” reflects this philosophy. For me, shining is not simply about glamour or beautiful clothes. It is about inner confidence, individuality and the freedom to express yourself through fashion.
What inspired you to bring Fashion Days to some of Europe’s most celebrated destinations?
The idea grew out of my experience in Ukraine. Working with emerging and independent brands, I saw how important it was for designers to have access to professional platforms where they could present their collections to international audiences.
When I expanded my work into Europe, I wanted to establish a network of events in major fashion destinations, each offering a distinct atmosphere, audience and set of opportunities.
My goal was never simply to organise runway shows. I wanted to connect designers with media, buyers, models, creative professionals and international markets.
I hope these platforms will help brands gain visibility, establish meaningful partnerships and grow beyond their home markets. Just as importantly, I want to create a community where fashion, culture and business come together.
How does the fashion landscape differ between Paris, Milan, Rome, Cannes and Monaco?
Each city has its own character.
Paris is defined by its rich fashion heritage, creativity and international influence. Milan has a strong commercial energy, where fashion and business are closely connected. Rome brings history, architecture and culture, creating a distinctive setting for fashion presentations.
Cannes and Monaco offer a different perspective, with their connections to luxury, cinema, international media and high-profile events.
What fascinates me is how the same collection can be perceived entirely differently depending on the city, its audience and the surrounding atmosphere. That diversity is what makes working across Europe so interesting.
You are raising four children while managing international projects and developing your own label. How do you find balance between these different roles?
I think this is the question I get asked most often! Raising four children while managing several projects is certainly a challenge.
But when you have a supportive family and genuinely love what you do, you find ways to make it work.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have a big family. They give me energy, motivation and the confidence to keep moving forward.
For me, balance is not about giving everything an equal amount of time every day. It is about creating a life where motherhood, creativity and professional ambition can coexist.
What does it take for an emerging designer to gain international recognition today?
Talent is certainly important. But today, talent alone is not enough.
A designer needs a clear identity, a recognisable aesthetic and a strong understanding of what makes their brand different. In such a competitive industry, people should remember not only the collection but also the story and personality behind it.
Consistency is equally important. International recognition rarely comes from a single runway show or publication. It develops through continuous work, professional presentation, strong visual communication and relationships with media, buyers, stylists and other industry professionals.
Designers also need to understand that fashion is both creativity and business. Knowing your audience, brand positioning, product and long-term direction is essential.
And finally, patience and resilience matter. Success takes time. You have to keep developing, presenting your work and learning from every experience.
Which of your professional achievements are you most proud of?
Some of the most meaningful recognitions I have received came from Ukrainian institutions, including the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and the Mayor and City Council of my hometown, Odessa.
These honours were particularly important because they recognised not only my personal work but also my contribution to the development of Ukrainian fashion, support for emerging designers and promotion of the industry.
Another achievement I am especially proud of is being included three times in the National Register of Records of Ukraine.
The first record was for the longest runway in Ukraine, measuring 612 metres, created at the Vorontsov Lighthouse and extending into the Black Sea.
The second record was for the largest number of models on the Potemkin Stairs — 525 models, at one of Odessa’s most iconic landmarks.
The third record was for the largest number of designers presented during a single fashion week — 108 designers.
Even today, I consider these achievements among the most valuable of my career because they represent far more than awards.
Behind each record was a large-scale project that brought together hundreds of creative people, attracted attention to Ukrainian fashion and became part of the cultural history of my hometown and country.
You have already brought numerous ambitious projects to life. What is the next goal you hope to achieve?
My dream is to build more than individual fashion events. I want to create a strong international fashion ecosystem — a platform where talented people can connect, collaborate, grow and gain real opportunities on the global stage.
Designer: @akel.couture @maison.zarina
MUA: @drunkbrows
Hair: @girlandsalon @d_m_scissorhand
Photo: @fotograf_artti @irynamochynska
By Catherine Mills
