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“What kind of underwear are our women soldiers wearing?” This question led two Ukrainian lawyers, Iryna Periv and Iryna Andrusiak, to create Yarii Lingerie, a brand of women’s lingerie “created by and for women,” focusing on their specific needs, comfort and confidence..
Three years ago, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, women and men joined combat with little notice or preparation. Female soldiers had to use men’s ill-fitting uniforms and equipment, including underwear, on the battlefield. It slowed them down and caused multiple health issues.
Equipped only with a household sewing machine and a small supply of fabric and tools, Periv and Adrusiak started to sew.
They couldn’t have made the progress they have without funding and training through a WPHF grant and UN Women’s support.
“This funding became our starting capital. We bought high-quality fabrics and the sewing machines we needed. And those machines are incredible! Participating in this project was key to shaping our business-focused approach,” said Periv in a recent interview for She Made project by UN Women and WPHF.
In addition to financial support, the grant provided both entrepreneurs with the mentoring and networking opportunities to expand their project and explore new target groups, including teenagers, older women, and those who have undergone a mastectomy.
Today, Periv and Andrusiak continue to think creatively about advancing women’s rights through garments, exploring innovative ways to protest the war, fight oppression, and crush gender stereotypes – even using corsets as manifestos.
“Our goal is to make lingerie about health, not sexualization. We aim to create a collection that is comfortable for everyone,,” added Periv.
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