Ukrainian Vogue Cover Features a Military-Themed Shoot with Kyiv Lyceum Students and Notable Athletes
Photographer Brett Lloyd captured images for the cover of Ukrainian Vogue that highlight a military-inspired motif, featuring a collaboration with members of the Kyiv Military Lyceum. The photos were shared on Instagram, with Lloyd drawing attention for his work on high-profile campaigns for fashion brands like Dior, Moncler, and Calvin Klein. The Kyiv-based Lyceum serves as the backdrop for portraits that blend youth, discipline, and national pride into a fashion narrative.
The central figures on the cover include a student named Ivan Bogunov and Ukrainian model Karina Mazyar, who appears in the foreground wearing a military-style uniform. The shoot emphasizes a modern reinterpretation of uniforms and a youthful perspective within a disciplined, ceremonial aesthetic. The images were created under Lloyd’s direction, drawing on his experience with luxury fashion campaigns while aligning with Ukrainian Vogue’s editorial voice.
In another prominent frame, Yaroslava Maguchikh, the world champion in the high jump as of October 2023, is portrayed as the heroine of the cover. Maguchikh sports a leather jacket, underscoring a sporty-chic look that complements her athletic achievement. At the 2020 Olympic Games, Maguchikh won bronze, finishing behind Nicola McDermott of Australia and Maria Lasitskene of Russia. A post-ceremony photograph captured Maguchikh alongside Lasitskene, with Maguchikh holding the Ukrainian flag and Lasitskene bearing the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee. The image drew significant commentary within Maguchikh’s hometown and among fans, reflecting the charged emotions that accompany national symbols on the world stage.
Earlier in her career, a public figure associated with a well-known billionaire was seen in a see-through dress for a leading fashion magazine cover, illustrating how high-profile subjects cross between sports, business, and fashion in contemporary editorial storytelling. This juxtaposition underscores how Ukrainian Vogue’s cover story navigates celebrity, athletics, and national identity through a single visual conversation. [citation]
The cover shoot merges documentary realism with aspirational fashion photography. It presents a narrative that invites viewers to consider the roles of youth, ambition, and national representation in a moment of cultural resonance for Ukraine. The collaboration follows a tradition in fashion publishing that pairs athletic achievement with editorial fashion for global audiences, while also reflecting local stories and figures that resonate within the Ukrainian context. [citation]
As the magazine continues to explore themes of strength, style, and public perception, the cover serves as a talking point about how sport, education, and fashion intersect in national storytelling. The photographers and stylists aim to present a cohesive aesthetic that respects the individuals involved while offering readers a window into contemporary Ukrainian culture and its ongoing dialogue with international fashion. [citation]