Worldwide fashion industry urged to show support for Ukraine

Some brands and designers have already issued statements and stopped Russian revenue streams

Russia-Ukraine crisis: live news

Pressure is growing for designers to use their catwalk platform to show solidarity with Ukraine, and for luxury brands to cut off their Russian revenue streams.

Balenciaga has become the first Paris fashion week brand to make a statement of solidarity with Ukraine. Ahead of a show scheduled for Sunday, the brand said it would open our platforms in the next few days to report and relay the information around the situation in Ukraine". It also made a donation to the World Food Programme.

Kyiv has a strong contemporary fashion scene, and many design studios and fashion companies across Europe have Ukrainian team members. Strong feeling among those on the ground at fashion week, however, has not so far been reflected in action at boardroom level. Russian consumers account for about 3% of global luxury sales.

TsUM Kyiv, a department store in the Ukrainian capital, has been closed since the Russian invasion began, with plans for its underground car park to be converted into a hospital. The store is leading calls for the fashion industry to show support by ceasing trade with Russia.