“I Know What I Will Do After Returning from the Front”: The Story of Yuliia “Kuba” Sidorova

 Yuliia “Kuba” Sidorova is a volunteer, combat medic, and servicemember of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as a clothing designer who has turned creativity into both therapy and a way to support others. Design became not only the path that helped her adapt to civilian life but also her anchor today, even as she once again serves on the front line.

In 2019, after leaving the military, Kuba devoted herself to studying and working with clothing. She shared her process on social media, and soon servicewomen began reaching out, asking her to create “normal women’s uniforms.” Thus, design became not only a form of personal recovery but also a response to a real demand within the military.

Today, while serving in the 39th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade, Kuba continues to grow her craft—working on future collections and developing the sewing workshop at the Veteranka Movement.

For Amnesty International Ukraine’s “Tribe” project, she shared how design helped her find balance between war and civilian life, as well as her future plans and work with the workshop.

From Military Service to Creative Therapy
“After leaving the service in 2019, fashion design became a kind of therapy for me, because even before the army I loved sewing and creating clothes. Until 2014, I was a dancer and worked professionally in that field, so with time I also began sewing stage costumes—first for myself, then for others.

This field always attracted me, so when I left the service in 2019, I went to study in order to improve my skills.

On February 6, 2022, I presented several looks at Ukrainian Fashion Week. And on February 24, when the full-scale invasion began, I returned to the army.”

Creativity as Anchor
“In the period when I came back from the front, creativity helped me adapt to civilian life. And now, while I am again at the front, it sustains me with the knowledge that I have something—and someone—to return to.

With the skills and experience I already have, I know what I will do after returning from the front.

Creating clothes, like any other form of art, can be therapy and a source of inspiration for veterans as they transition to civilian life. Of course, every person is different, but I believe this approach could help many.

I don’t plan to release a new collection in the immediate future, but it’s always on my horizon. I hope to present a collection in the spring of 2026.”

The Warrior Woman as Inspiration
“The theme of my brand, Cubitus Dei, remains centered on the image of the warrior woman. We keep developing this archetype, uncovering new sides of it, but it will remain the guiding motif in every collection.

I continue sketching whenever I have time. For me, inspiration often comes not beforehand but during the process itself—while I am drawing.”

The Workshop at the Veteranka Movement
“The byVTRNK workshop at the Veteranka Movement was my idea. At that time, I had some equipment, and together with my teacher and designer, Stanislav Bitus, who also brought in part of his equipment, we joined forces.

That’s when we received a grant that allowed us to fully equip the workshop. I did not work on creating the patterns myself, as I am not a pattern-maker, but I tested the uniforms for comfort. Later, I introduced corrections during the sewing process. For me, comfort is the most important thing in designing women’s military uniforms.

We have many plans for the workshop. Together with the team, we are constantly thinking of new projects that we will gradually bring to life. These include prêt-à-porter collections as well—everyday clothing that can be worn outside of service. All of this will certainly come to