Back To Black Munus Vestium by Daria Slobodianiuk

Back To Black Munus Vestium by Daria Slobodianiuk is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum in Ars Vestiaria Competition Category.

AesVestis· 2025

Back To Black Munus Vestium

by Daria Slobodianiuk

Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum Winner in Vestis Category

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Colors

The Design

About Back To Black Munus Vestium

Back to Black est collectio vestium trium formarum, a caelo nocturno inspirata. Quodque indumentum ex textura elastica retiformi et textura tricae extensibili conficitur, quae perspicuitatem, fluiditatem et arctam formam praebent. Acupictura manu facta cum baculis et margaritis applicatur ad fulgorem et texturam caeli stellati recreandum. Formae fluentes et pallia demissa ad mythologiam Slavicam et deum Khors referunt. In hereditate Ucrainica radicata, collectio ad occasiones speciales gestari vel tamquam exhibitio artificiosa monstrari potest.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum

Back To Black Munus Vestium victor est Praemii A' Design Award Aeneum, honoris multum aestimati formis egregiis, creandi ingenio, sollertia et acumine insignibus dati. Victores Aenei opera perita et mire creandi sunt, quae experientiam, imaginationem et solertiam auctorum suorum confirmant. Exspectatur Back To Black Munus Vestium rem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, notabiliter professionalem et novam fore. Haec forma Aeneo victa optimas consuetudines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae amplectitur et in cura minutiarum excellit. Back To Black Munus Vestium necessitates egregie explet, cupiditates tangit, sensus capit et curiositatem allicit.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: "Back to Black" is a fashion collection that merges mythology, personal memory, and craftsmanship. Each look is adorned with intricate hand embroidery inspired by the night sky, symbolizing remembrance and transformation. The collection blends transparency, layering, and flowing silhouettes to evoke femininity and celestial beauty. Rooted in Ukrainian heritage, it pays homage to ancestral connections while embracing contemporary elegance.
Dimensions & Packaging: The collection consists of three looks, all in size S. The garments are made from lightweight, elastic fabrics that take up minimal space and resist wrinkling. Each outfit is carefully folded and packaged in a protective, compact case measuring approximately 400 mm x 300 mm x 100 mm, ensuring safe transport and easy storage. The packaging preserves the delicate hand embroidery and structure of the designs, making them ready to wear or display upon arrival.
Tags: fashion design, fashion collection, hand embroidery, mythology-inspired, celestial fashion, Slavic mythology, night sky, beadwork, personal storytelling
Production Technology: The collection is crafted using elastic mesh for transparency and fluidity, along with stretch knit fabric that contours the body and adapts to different body types. Hand embroidery is meticulously applied using various types of beads and bugle beads to replicate the shimmering effect and texture of the starry sky. Every piece was fully designed, constructed, and sewn by hand, ensuring a unique artisanal touch and precise craftsmanship.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge was translating deep personal meaning into a tangible collection. The balance between aesthetics and technical execution was crucial, especially due to the elasticity of the fabric and the intricacy of hand embroidery. Finding the right beads, colors, and techniques to maintain both durability and a shimmering celestial effect required extensive experimentation. Additionally, selecting a meaningful location for the photoshoot to reinforce the concept posed logistical challenges, eventually resolved by choosing a family home setting.
Research: This research explores the fusion of personal memory, mythology, and material innovation in fashion design. The objective was to create a collection that serves as a tribute to lost loved ones while incorporating elements of Slavic mythology, specifically the image of the god Khors, who guides souls along the Milky Way. The methodology included historical research, textile experimentation, and technical development of embroidery techniques suited for elastic fabrics. Data collection involved testing bead sizes, thread tension, and stitching methods to ensure the embroidery remained secure while preserving fabric elasticity. The research revealed that continuous thread embroidery, resembling a delicate web, provided both structural integrity and the shimmering effect of a starry sky. Additionally, the integration of flowing capes and draped silhouettes symbolized Khors’ cloak, reinforcing the mythological narrative. The insights gained demonstrate how fashion can transcend aesthetics to become a medium of storytelling, cultural heritage preservation, and personal catharsis.
Inspiration: Inspired by the concept of returning to one's essence, "Back to Black" reflects personal memories, Ukrainian mythology, and the celestial beauty of the night sky. The collection embodies the duality of light and darkness, femininity and strength, nature and memory. Drawing from the symbolism of the god Khors and the vastness of the cosmos, it integrates hand embroidery, flowing silhouettes, and sheer layering to evoke a sense of nostalgia, spirituality, and timeless elegance.
Project Duration: The project started in April 2024 and finished in August 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Operation Flow: This collection offers a dual experience—it can be worn for special occasions, embodying elegance and symbolism, or admired as an artistic exhibit, evoking emotion and storytelling. Flowing silhouettes and intricate hand embroidery create a dynamic interplay of movement and light, enhancing its visual impact.