LIKA brand @lika.in
Vishni brand @vishni.ua
Kristina (LIKA and Vishni founder) @k.lipinskaya

The Beginning

How did your journey in fashion begin? What inspired the creation of LIKA?
My journey into fashion began in childhood. My mother used to sew beautiful custom outfits for herself, often replicating looks from music videos and movies. She always looked stunning, and I found that incredibly inspiring. My love for fashion started very early.
My husband and I had a large fashion brand in Ukraine for 10 years. But when the war began, we had to shut it down — it was an incredibly difficult decision. Over time, I realized that I couldn’t live without fashion. There was a void in my life that nothing else could fill. That’s when I knew I wanted to start something new — a brand that would express bolder designs and represent who I truly am as a designer. When you work in the lower price segment, your creative options are limited. I wanted more.

What were the first steps like — do you remember the moment when it all started to take shape?
I’ve always been a fan of timeless pieces — the kind that stay relevant for years. I have items in my wardrobe that are over five years old, yet they remain my favorites. Leather, in particular, is one of those materials that age beautifully. Since I deeply value all living beings on this planet, we decided to use eco-leather. That became the foundation of LIKA.

What were the biggest challenges in building the brand in the early years?
We entered a completely new niche and an unfamiliar market. It felt like we were starting from scratch — like schoolkids again. The European and U.S. markets are so different from what we knew. All the rules changed.

Brand Identity & Evolution

How has LIKA evolved since its launch?
LIKA has gradually transformed from a passion project into a bold fashion statement. We’ve become more confident in our identity, pushing creative boundaries while staying true to our values.

How would you describe the core values and personality of the brand today?
LIKA is about timeless elegance, conscious choices, and bold femininity. We value sustainability, self-expression, and design that empowers.

Has your design philosophy changed over the years?
It’s become more refined. I’m more in tune with my instincts, and I no longer compromise on my creative vision.

VISHNI

Can you tell us about your second brand, VISHNI — what inspired its creation, and how is it different from LIKA?
Honestly, VISHNI 🍒 was our lifeline. After a year of working on LIKA, sales were critically low and the expenses were massive. We decided to launch a second brand focused on a market we already understood — so we could generate income and keep LIKA afloat.

How do you balance working across two different brands creatively and logistically?
I have plenty of ideas — sometimes the brands can’t even keep up with my ambition! When inspiration runs low, I meditate, and it always comes. Plus, we now have an amazing team of professionals. I truly believe big success is ahead for all of us — everyone’s giving it their all.

Aside from LIKA and VISHNI, are there any other creative or business projects you’re involved in?
Not at the moment.

Resilience

How has the war in Ukraine impacted your personal life and your work as a designer and founder?
The war changed everything — our life, our work. It felt like starting over from zero. A new place, a new business, and a new version of ourselves.

What were some of the hardest moments during this time, and how did you keep the business going?
There were — and still are — so many hard moments. I could talk a lot about the importance of education, self-development, and business experience. But what I truly believe makes the biggest difference is spiritual growth and self-awareness. When you understand yourself and follow your true path, everything becomes easier. Our mindset and inner beliefs shape the world we see.

The Creative Process

What does your design process usually look like — where do you find inspiration?
I’m inspired by beautiful people, travel, and archival runway shows. Sometimes ideas come to me in dreams or meditations.

Do your collections reflect your personal style or state of mind at a given moment?
Absolutely. I’m the sole designer for both brands and only create what I personally love. Each brand is a reflection of my inner world and emotional state.

How do you choose materials, colors, and silhouettes?
It’s intuitive — I go with what feels right at the moment.

Fun note: For LIKA’s very first collection, I wanted to use an unusual color. I chose gold and burgundy, and a year later, that exact tone became a massive trend. Everyone started using it in their collections!

Personal Balance & Feminine Energy

You also run a blog about spirituality, self-realization, and feminine energy. How do you personally balance business, creativity, and family while staying aligned with your values?
Balance is a powerful concept. Without it, life becomes distorted — with extremes and imbalances that lead nowhere good.

Spiritual practices help me stay connected to myself, stay energized, and give more — to both my family and my business. In business, it’s important to delegate. I focus only on what can’t be done by someone else. The rest of my time goes to my family and myself.
A great life hack? Put your phone away after 6 PM. You’ll be surprised how much more time and presence you gain — and how much it means to your loved ones.

Do these personal practices influence how you lead the brand or communicate with your audience?
Absolutely. I had to hit rock bottom before I was able to grow. No one changes when everything is perfect. I’m deeply grateful for my journey and experiences. They changed how I perceive life, people, animals — the universe. When you choose this path, the right information finds you, and the world begins to open up in new ways. I want to share that with as many people as possible — in hopes that it helps them, the way it helped me.

The Future

What are your current goals for both LIKA and VISHNI?
To take over the world — to become a globally recognized designer. I want to create shoes, accessories, and have the resources to bring all my ideas to life. One of my biggest dreams is to show at Couture Fashion Week.

Where do you see your brands in the next 5–10 years?
My dream is to see my brands on the shelves of Galeries Lafayette and to become part of the LVMH group.