The ‘Mother’s Shirt’ project by the S.O. Brand is more than just clothing. It is a personal story embroidered with poetry, family memories and female resilience. Its author, Oksana Shoorlemmer, a Ukrainian entrepreneur who works between Ukraine and Germany, transforms fashion into an instrument of cultural dialogue and social responsibility.
In a conversation with Business Woman, she talks about how her mother’s words became the basis for her design project, why a Ukrainian shirt can be a talisman, and how women’s businesses can preserve their identity even in times of war.
— Ms Shorlemmer, how did the ‘Mother’s Shirt’ project come about and what role do the poems of your mother, Mariana Hrytsunyak, play in your creative work?
The Mama’s Shirt project was born out of a deeply personal experience. My mother Mariana Hrytsunyak’s poems are not just literary texts for me, but emotional memories of our family and our homeland. At a time when Ukraine is fighting for its identity, I wanted to preserve her words — not in a book, but in a living, tangible, wearable format. Each shirt carries a piece of her soul and at the same time sounds like the voice of many Ukrainian women whose stories often go unheard.
The Mama’s Shirt project is not just my idea. It is the synergy of my creativity and the vast experience of Maria Chorna, a female leader and my great role model. Maria Chorna is the only female governor of the Kirovohrad region in central Ukraine who managed to stop the first Russian tank offensive and save the city from occupation.
Her determination, courage, and community service became a source of inspiration and a guiding principle for me. In this project, we combined my design idea with her strategic experience and understanding of Ukrainian culture. Each Mama’s Shirt reflects this synergy: dedication, female strength, and deep respect for history and family values.
I feel immense gratitude and sincere respect for Maria Chorna for her example, which inspires us to make fashion not just beautiful, but meaningful and responsible, capable of preserving culture, supporting women, and passing on the power of Ukrainian identity to future generations.
— You work with a deliberately limited palette — classic black and white. What meaning do you put into these shirts and embroidered poetry?
White and black are timeless, universal and deeply symbolic colours. White represents hope, purity and new beginnings, while black represents loss, depth and memory. Together, they reflect the reality of modern Ukraine, where pain and hope coexist side by side. Embroidered poems give the shirts a voice. Embroidery is a traditional element of Ukrainian culture, a quiet but powerful act of preservation that spans generations. In this way, each shirt becomes a cultural document.
— An important part of the project is the collaboration with the Ukrainian brand Zarmilkas. What makes this collaboration special for you, and how do brooches, bags, and hats complement the overall concept?
For me, working with Zarmilkas is a sign of female solidarity without borders. It was really important for me not to work alone, but to consciously involve Ukrainian brands that keep creating despite the super tough circumstances. Brooches, bags, and hats aren’t just accessories, they’re a continuation of history. Each product embodies craftsmanship, courage and cultural knowledge. Together, we are creating a platform where Ukrainian creativity remains visible and recognised abroad.
— Why did you deliberately choose the Sashka project in Hamburg, led by project manager and business consultant Alexandra Dölemann, to promote your project?
Hamburg embodies openness, internationalism and strong female business networks — values that are embodied by the Sashka project. In Alexandra Dölemann, I found not only professional management support, but also a deep understanding of social responsibility and intercultural initiatives. The Sashka project offers Ukrainian projects not just a marketing platform, but real support, structure and a stable presence on the German market. It was fundamentally important for me to work with partners who share my values: transparency, respect for cultural heritage and a clear position on supporting women through economic cooperation. Together, we are building strong bridges between Ukraine and Germany — professionally, responsibly and humanely.
— The collaboration with Volodymyr Podolyan is already seen as a powerful statement and an important step towards Ukrainian Fashion Week. What excites you most about this collaboration?
For me, collaborating with Volodymyr Podolyan is much more than just a fashion statement. It is a powerful cultural statement. What fascinates me most is his ability to combine contemporary fashion with a deep respect for Ukrainian identity. He thinks of fashion as a language, a responsibility, and a tool for cultural diplomacy.
— Why did you choose the name S.O. Brand, and what role does your name, Oksana Shorlemmer, play in the brand?
The name S.O. Brand has more than just commercial significance for me — it is deeply personal and symbolic. It is a combination of my initials, but at the same time it is a way to convey my personal history, my roots, my vision of fashion as a carrier of culture. Each of the brand’s products carries a piece of my family, my memories, my Ukrainian identity.
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Photo: from the archieve of Oksana Schoorlemer