Ukrainian photographer Yurko Dyachyshyn encountered Slavik, a 55-year-old homeless man, while working on a project in the city center of Lviv. Slavik might be homeless, but he wouldn't be caught dead in the same outfit twice. He rummages through garbage cans and homeless aid centers, putting together a new outfit each day, as well as styling his hair and shaving his armpits.
Dyachyshyn has chronicled Slavik's various outfits over the course of the past two years, paying him a dollar per photo. Though he appears to be suffering from some form of mental illness, Slavik has found a friend in Dyachyshyn and routinely seeks him out.
The most important take-away that Dyachyshyn has gathered from his friendship with Slavik is that he needs to maintain a sense of "inner calm" living in the chaos of the city. Perhaps putting himself together each day is Slavik's form of routine and stability.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Homeless Fashion
- Exploring the fashion and style of homeless individuals, opening opportunities to create fashion and clothing that embrace the stylings and expressions of homeless people
- Mental Health Visibility
- Highlighting the intersection of mental health and homelessness through photography, leading to innovative approaches to end the stigma around mental illness
- Sustainable Fashion
- Showcasing the use of recycled and upcycled clothing among the homeless community, encouraging the fashion industry to promote sustainability through second-hand clothing and repurposing
Sectors Adopting This
- Fashion Industry
- The fashion industry can rebrand itself, incorporating the unique styles of the homeless community while supporting sustainable and socially responsible initiatives
- Mental Health Industry
- Bringing mental health awareness to the forefront of the homeless crisis, shifting the focus on mental illness as a root cause for homelessness
- Photography Industry
- Using photography as a tool to foster empathy and compassion for homeless individuals, leading to a more diverse and inclusive representation in photography
