When Ukrainian footwear designer Tetiana Bazylska arrived in Florida, she carried a lifelong aspiration: to achieve her dream of becoming a clothing designer. Her path was shaped by a decade of experience in footwear, encompassing factory work in Ukraine and China, participating in international exhibitions, designing for Ukrainian brands, and pioneering one of the first AI-assisted, 3D-printed shoe prototypes.
The war in her homeland forced her to seek refuge abroad. In Florida, she was determined to connect with the local fashion ecosystem and explore opportunities for her dream. This led her to volunteer at JAX Fashion Runway.
Through her volunteer efforts, Tetiana immersed herself in the fashion community in Jacksonville, forging strong relationships with local designers, event organizers, and other creative professionals who became instrumental in her journey.
“I simply offered to help. We filmed content, managed show logistics, organized backstage. I was in every group chat. At some point, the organizers said — if I wanted, I could also present my own collection at the show in two months. I said yes — and created my first clothing collection,” Tetiana reflects.
This commitment to collaboration marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in her career.
From Footwear to Fashion: A New Page
In Ukraine, Bazylska experienced a comprehensive journey through the fashion industry. Her evolution began with her first, albeit uncomfortable, student-made ankle boots to ascending the ranks as lead footwear designer and pattern engineer for major companies. Her responsibilities entailed overseeing manufacturing, leading product development teams, traveling to China to ensure prototype quality, and facilitating commercially successful collections.
Upon moving to the U.S., she began transitioning toward apparel design. She enrolled in specialized courses and established a mini studio at home, where she dove deep into garment construction and fashion history. When the chance arose, she crafted a mini collection featuring seven looks that skillfully blended refined office silhouettes with subtle ethnic elements.
Debuting at the Jacksonville Fashion Show, her collection garnered attention from local media and became a testament to the Ukrainian creative community’s contributions to the city’s fashion landscape.
Community That Inspires
“Today, Jacksonville is a city where collaborations are born. Ukrainians here are active — they help refugees, organize charity shows, exhibitions, and workshops. I see how volunteering unites us and shows that Ukrainians are not just about conflict — we embody talent, resilience, and creativity,” Tetiana shares.
Professionalism Without Borders
Tetiana’s portfolio extends beyond just collections and runway shows. Her innovations in footwear were highlighted at MICAM Milano SS23, Europe’s leading footwear exhibition, where she showcased a pioneering 3D-printed footwear concept developed using AI.
This project, born out of a Footwearology Lab course in Barcelona, received significant recognition from experts and sparked interest among international design and technology communities.
America as a Space of Possibility
“America allowed me to start anew — while still respecting my past. Here, the value of hard work, talent, and initiative genuinely shines. Volunteering opened the door for me into this community, and fashion has become my way of reintroducing who I am,” Tetiana explains.
As she envisions her future, Bazylska aspires to expand her creative projects in Florida, balancing her professional footwear design expertise with her burgeoning clothing line. She truly believes Jacksonville is evolving into a vibrant hub for cultural dialogue and innovative growth — a space where limitless possibilities exist for those who commit themselves to the craft.
