The Odesa-based brand Sonia Zander interprets femininity as energy and movement. The SS26 collection is built around inner radiance, freedom, and a quiet yet confident presence.
There are brands that follow trends, and there are those with a distinct identity of their own. Ukrainian label Sonia Zander belongs to the latter. Founded in Odesa, the ready-to-wear brand does more than design clothes—it communicates an attitude. It envisions playful, courageous, and self-aware women who are not afraid to be visible, whether through their movement or their presence.
The Body as a Source of Light
For Sonia Zander, fashion is not decoration. According to the designer’s philosophy, a woman is the Sun—radiant, life-giving, and self-assured. Just as the Sun brings light and warmth to the Earth, women bring light and new life into the world. This idea forms the foundation of the brand’s entire visual and formal language, subtly reflected in the logo, the silhouettes, and the material choices. The collections are shaped by the designer’s personal and bold approach to fashion. Sonia sees life as a dance—movement, rhythm, continuous flow—and creates garments that follow this dynamic. The cuts are clean, layering is restrained, and the use of materials is consciously minimal. She works with the smallest possible amount of fabric to reveal the maximum acceptable bare skin: no unnecessary volume, no excessive coverage. Shorter lengths are often a deliberate tool—not provocation, but a gesture of liberation.
SS26: Soft Strength, Conscious Proportions
The SS26 collection is a refined study of femininity, movement, and inner radiance. The concept—woman as her own source of light—runs throughout the entire selection. Mini and maxi dresses, coordinated skirts, delicate tops, and softly structured shirts form the backbone of the collection. Silk, cotton, and lightweight blended fabrics fall naturally, allowing the garments to move closely with the body, precisely following its motion without restricting it. The color palette is restrained yet distinctive: black, white, red, and soft pink create a balance between strength and softness. Clean lines and thoughtful proportions result in intimate yet versatile pieces—garments that function just as well in everyday urban situations as they do in more expressive, heightened moments. The brand deliberately avoids thinking in terms of seasonal trends. SS26 does not respond to fashion cycles but focuses on touch, proportion, and wearability. The pieces feel personal and intentional: comfortable without sacrificing elegance or presence. This aesthetic of “soft erotic and fragile power” defines the collection’s quietly confident character.
The Odesa roots give the brand a particular context. It emerges from a region that has faced extraordinary challenges in recent years, yet has preserved its creative energy. In this sense, Sonia Zander’s work also celebrates inner light and self-identity—proof that femininity can be playful and strong, sensual and conscious at the same time. And it serves as a reminder: radiance does not come from an external source—it begins within.
