Enjoying more space: While Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on a visit to Iran on Tuesday, First Lady Jill Biden met with her Ukrainian counterpart Olena Zelenska at the White House. President Joe Biden also made a cameo with a bouquet of flowers at the South Lawn event on Tuesday afternoon, White House Pool reports.
While the fashion choices of first lady and female politicians are regularly scrutinized in the press and on social media, Zelenska chose statement jewelry pieces for her second meeting with FLOTUS in two months. Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine two months ago to meet Zelenska on Mother’s Day.
At least 12 million people have left Ukraine after Russian troops invaded the country nearly five months ago. For Tuesday’s photo-op at the Beltway, Zelenska selected a brooch and earrings from last year’s Guzema x Gunia capsule collection, titled Nezalezhna, the Ukrainian word for independent. Jewelry designer Valeria Guzema is helping those affected by the war by fundraising and donating benefits through the Guzema Foundation.
Zelenska was also scheduled to address Congress on Wednesday.
Zelenska’s accessories Tuesday featured an abstract pattern inspired by the ancient floral embroidery used for traditional handmade “rushnik” Ukrainian towels.
When Zelenska met Biden in Uzhgorod in May, she wore a “Freedom” pendant to Guzema’s most recent drop to benefit his foundation. Zelenska first wore Ukrainian fine jewelry during the 2019 election and at the inauguration. For the latter, the architect and screenwriter sported custom “I Need More Space” earrings.
Her visit to Washington, DC on Monday included meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as with Samantha Power, who heads the US Agency for International Development, which has been instrumental in supporting the Ukrainian government and humanitarian needs Is. Perhaps like the late former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Zelenska symbolically chose Ukrainian-made jewelry—a limited edition collection of Nezlezhna brooches and custom “I need more space” earrings.
As is the case with all sectors of society in Ukraine, the ongoing wars are giving a tough competition to the industries. In 2019, the fashion industry contributed 16,000 more jobs in apparel and footwear and 16,000 more in clothing manufacturing. That same year, combined, they generated $1.18 billion in revenue.
Originally published at Pen 18
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