Oksana Mukha

Oksana Mukha
Born	Oksana Teodorivna Mukha
Birth date	1 September 1964
Birth place	Lviv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Nationality	Ukrainian
Occupation	Fashion designer, Entrepreneur
Years active	1990–present
Known for	Founder of OKSANA MUKHA brand
Notable work(s)	"Crystal Swan" gown
website	oksana-mukha.com

Oksana Mukha (Ukrainian: Оксана Теодорівна Муха; born 1 September 1964) is a Ukrainian fashion designer and entrepreneur. She is the founder, creative director, and head designer of the OKSANA MUKHA brand, which specializes in haute couture bridal and evening wear and maintains an international presence in over 70 countries.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Lviv, Mukha displayed an early aptitude for art and sewing under the encouragement of her mother, a skilled seamstress known for upcycling everyday fabrics into striking costumes. By her teenage years, Mukha was crafting original dress designs and staging informal shows for family and friends. In 1985, she enrolled at the Lviv National Academy of Arts, where she studied fashion design under professor Natalya Hrytsenko, focusing on drapery, pattern making, and Ukrainian folk embroidery traditions.

Career

Founding Galwestmoda

After graduating with honors in 1990, Mukha established a small atelier in her apartment, producing custom-made garments for local clients. In 1994, she formalized the operation as «Galwestmoda» (Ukrainian: Галвестмода), expanding into industrial-scale production. The company differentiated itself by combining meticulous handwork—crystals, lace appliqués, and handcrafted beading—with modern manufacturing methods.

Brand expansion and OKSANA MUKHA label

In 2006, Mukha launched her eponymous OKSANA MUKHA label. That year, she negotiated a distribution partnership with Diamond Bridal Gallery in Los Angeles, marking her first entry into the U.S. market. Simultaneously, she opened showrooms in Modena, Italy and Almaty, Kazakhstan. Between 2007 and 2010, the brand penetrated South African (Pretoria) and Baltic (Kaunas) markets and debuted its Paris flagship boutique in the Marais district, offering seasonal collections twice yearly.

International showcases

2009 Carrousel du Louvre, Paris: Mukha presented 15 models of her 2010 bridal collection in collaboration with Swarovski Crystal, unveiling the signature "Crystal Swan" gown featuring hand-stitched crystal embroidery.

2010 Final show, Salle Swarovski, Louvre: Her collection was selected among five global brands for the closing runway.

2012–present: Regular participation at premier bridal fairs including White Gallery London, Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, and New York Bridal Fashion Week.

OKSANA MUKHA brand ethos

The brand merges Ukrainian cultural motifs—vyshyvanka-inspired embroidery, floral appliqués, and symbolic color palettes—with haute couture techniques. Each piece undergoes a design development process: sketching, drape mock-ups, pattern grading, prototyping, and final hand-finishing by a team of 30 artisan seamstresses.

Production and certifications

• Salon Lviv (2000): Opened a 400 m² flagship salon with full tailoring facilities.
• Germany expansion (2004): Distribution agreements in Berlin and Munich.
• Paris boutique (2008): Inaugurated on Rue des Francs Bourgeois.
• Digital transition (2020): Virtual fashion show held via livestream, reaching over 200,000 viewers globally.
• Quality standards (2022): Obtained ISO 9001:2015 for quality management and LEAN certification for production efficiency.

Notable clientele

Mukha's gowns have been worn by:

• Presidents' spouses — Marina Poroshenko at the 2018 state visit.
• Royalty — a princess from the French House of Bourbon in 2023.
• Film and stage — Ukrainian actress Oksana Bilozir; Paris Opera soprano Anna Kasian.
• Beauty pageants — Alexandra Klepachka, Miss Universe Poland 2022.
• Influencers — Marta Sierra (Spain) and Caroline Bassac (France).
• Other celebrities — Kateryna Osadcha, Jessica Minh Anh, and Charles de Gaulle's granddaughter on her wedding day.

Social and charitable work

Since 2014, Mukha has engaged her brand in philanthropy:

• Produced over 5,000 camouflage nets and field garments for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• Organized fundraising gala shows, raising more than UAH 2 million for frontline units.
• Volunteered in logistics and procurement of medical supplies during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Recent events

2023

In February 2023, Mukha unveiled a new couture bridal collection at New York Fashion Week. In April, Spanish influencer Marta Sierra chose an OKSANA MUKHA gown and shared her look on Instagram, and the brand also participated in Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week that same month.

In May, French influencer Caroline Bassac wore an OKSANA MUKHA dress for her wedding, while the collection was highlighted during a New York cruise fashion show, with photographs featured in Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam. Mid-year, Mukha collaborated with Ilona Gvozdieva and Viva magazine on the "My New Superpower" charity project. In October, OKSANA MUKHA presented its designs at the Melange de Blanc bridal exhibition in Paris.

2024

In March 2024, the brand debuted its spring-summer lines at the Chicago industry exhibition. At the end of April, the OKSANA MUKHA team showcased the latest bridal collection during Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week. In May, six signature gowns walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week, and the brand also exhibited at a major Polish bridal fair. Late that month, Emily Fleming—daughter of entrepreneur Michael Polski—wore an OKSANA MUKHA gown to a White House state dinner honoring the President of Kenya, earning coverage in WWD.

In July, the Ukrainian edition of L’OFFICIEL published an extensive profile of the label, followed in August by a feature in VOGUE Ukraine on the house’s sustainable couture practices. In September, a collaboration with Polish stylist Caroline Deprienski resulted in multiple red-carpet appearances at awards ceremonies and a private Charlotte Tilbury event, and the team revisited the Chicago exhibition.

2025

In March 2025, OKSANA MUKHA unveiled its new collection at the Chicago Bridal Market. That same month, actress Blanca Blanco appeared in an OKSANA MUKHA gown on the red carpet at the Academy Awards. In April, actress Merle Dandridge chose an OKSANA MUKHA gown for the premiere of the second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us.” Also in April, globally renowned singer and multiple Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood performed wearing a gown by OKSANA MUKHA on the stage of the iconic show American Idol. Later that month, the brand presented over 19 gowns as part of a spectacular runway show during Milan Fashion Week, one of the most prestigious events in the global fashion industry. The brand also showcased its latest bridal collection at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week. In May, country music singer Abby Anderson wore an OKSANA MUKHA gown on the red carpet at the industry’s most prestigious country music event—the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Awards and honors

• 2008 – Grand Prix, Zloty Wieszak Exhibition, Lublin (Poland)
• 2010 – "Star of Ukraine's Economy" medal, League of the Best rating; "Leader of the Year" certificate
• 2011 – Best Bridal Designer, Ukrainian Wedding Awards
• 2013 – Order of Queen Anna "Honor of the Motherland"
• 2016 – Top 50 Successful Women of Lviv Region
• 2021 – Business Award, International Business Forum
• 2022 – ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Certificate; LEAN certification

External links

• Official website