Streetwear label PLNGNS impresses once again with innovative
upcycling collection titled IDENTITY

Berlin, February 3rd, 2025 On Sunday, the Ukrainian label PLNGNS (Palingenesy) presented its latest collection at Berlin Fashion Week, setting high standards in sustainability and experimental design. With a distinctive blend of upcycling, avant-garde aesthetics, and functionality, PLNGNS stands for the transformation of old into new.
With the mission of leaving a lasting impact – a legacy – in the fashion world, creative director Mitya Hontarenko and Ira Ambrosova, Head Designer of PLNGNS enter the new season, emphasizing: “We want to create products, designs, and concepts that remain memorable while serving as pioneers.” This vision shapes every creation and underscores PLNGNS’ commitment to redefining the fashion industry with sustainable, forward-thinking approaches.

Materials and Design: The Art of Upcycling

Once again, recycled materials play a central role this season, particularly old sneakers, which are transformed into durable, modern textiles. The color palette—classic black, gray, and white— emphasizes structure and form, while the original appearance of the materials is deliberately preserved to make their transformation process visible.
A highlight of the new collection is a handcrafted print that manually transfers the surface textures of the materials. This process creates organic, raw patterns that make each design unique and authentic.
The silhouettes of the IDENTITY collection combine functionality with avant-garde elements, reflecting an industrial character.

Among the 25 showcased looks are:

-The Leather Moto Jacket: An iconic design crafted with innovative stitch technology and laser-cut techniques, creating a silhouette that is both mobile and functional. Two jackets were created in collaboration with a Ukrainian artist Lesya Tertyshna who hand-crafted Ukrainian landscapes from slashed sneaker material, forming a unique artwork on the jackets.

-The Hybrid Puffer Jacket: A fusion of lightweight nylon and sneaker elements, combining visual appeal with practicality.

-The Transformative Nylon Pants: Versatile and creative—adaptable between loose cuts and deconstructed aesthetics with seamlessly integrated sneaker elements.

An Exceptional Show Concept

The presentation takes place in a raw, industrial setting. By choosing the location “Werkstatt für Alles,” the label found an authentic partner to realistically depict the collection’s creation process.
The venue resembles the PLNGNS studio, where heavy machinery is also required for production. From repurposing old sneakers to the final designs, the atmosphere offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process.
The show is accompanied by a custom-composed soundtrack from a Ukrainian sound artists Kostantyn Loban and Alex Savage , while a diverse cast of models embodies the brand’s values. Responsible for the overall styling of the looks and the creation of accessories for the show was Gianni Vas.

Berlin as a Creative Home

Participating in Berlin Fashion Week once again holds great significance for head of design Ira Ambrosova. She stated: “Berlin is more than just a stage for us – it is our creative home. The city understands and supports our vision, offering a platform to present our collections to a European audience.”

A Milestone in the Evolution of PLNGNS

This collection symbolizes the philosophy and identity of PLNGNS: fashion that is not only aesthetically striking but also sustainable and meaningful. The transformation of old sneakers into luxurious garments demonstrates how creativity can push boundaries while remaining wearable. Once again, Mitya Hontarenko bridges the gap between wearable art and commercial relevance. With this collection, PLNGNS proves once again that high fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand— setting a powerful precedent for the future of fashion.

The show concept was selected as part of the “Berlin Contemporary” competition by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises, in collaboration with the Fashion Council Germany, and was awarded prize money in support of emerging talent.