Once Upon a Time at Veselka
by Andrei Zozulya-Davidov
Veselka [rainbow in Ukrainian] is probably the most known queer party hailing from Kyiv, Ukraine. Starting its journey back in 2018, it was the first-ever safe space for the Ukrainian LGBTQ+ community. Veselka is currently touring Europe bringing love, equality, freedom and the power of rave everywhere they go. I caught up with Stanislav Tweeman – the collective’s founder – during their performance at RSO Berlin.
Hi Stas, at which point in your life you’ve decided to connect your life with music and nightlife?
I went to my first party at the age of 14 and since that moment I knew that I wanted to connect my career with nightlife. I got my first club gig as a waiter at the age of 18, then switched to face control, PR and a couple of years later ended up doing Art Direction. From there to organizing my own parties was a matter of time.
How did Veselka come to life?
The concept itself was in my mind for several years. I postponed it several times for different reasons, economic, also my friends told me that putting together a queer party in Kyiv back in the day could put me in trouble. When we finally decided to go for it in 2018 there were no queer parties in Kyiv and the first party wasn’t profitable. It was still amazing because it brought together a community even though we had some troubles with the far-right groups.
What’s next for Veselka?
Veselka is launching its own label pretty soon. the first release will be by MRD. Also, besides our Ukrainian residents Ruslan Mays, Vani Vachi and myself, we are adding two new international residents Julian Muller and Mikey Woodbridge. You can catch all of us at the next Veselka parties in Munich (29.04), Leipzig (06.05), Kyiv (20.05) and New York (06.06).
Take a look at some images from the latest Veselka party in Berlin, photographed by The Great Fruit below:
Red September Fall/Winter 2023
paul pol
Diesel’s 2025 Pride capsule collection, created with the Tom of Finland Foundation, is all about freedom, freedom to express yourself, to love who you want, and to be unapologetically you.
Andrii Barabash at Elite photographed by Adrian Cuerdo and styled by Matíos & Cesar, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
PUMA has once again joined forces with French designer Louis Gabriel Nouchi, this time revisiting the 1999 Mostro Mule.
Over fifty emerging Finnish designers presented their collections at the Amos Rex SS25 fashion show, held in the courtyard of Helsinki’s Amos Rex museum on May 23rd. The event formed part of Fashion in… »
Resort 2026 by DSQUARED2 is rebellion at its purest!
Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki has won the 2025 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize for his terracotta sculpture Realm of Living Things 19.
This collaboration reflects Paloceras’ approach to eyewear design, where technical precision meets handcrafted detail.
Last week, Helsinki became a focal point for fashion innovation as Aalto University presented its graduating students’ work at Näytös25.
Gal Nell Dahan debuts in menswear with his Fall/Winter 2025 collection, characterized by timelessness, rich fabrics, and sustainability.
This summer, the Monte-Carlo Beach Club has a new look, thanks to Jacquemus.
Nike’s latest running shoe, the Structure 26, arrives with a clear mission to deliver serious stability without sacrificing comfort.
Helsinki has long been an incubator for avant-garde creativity, and this year’s Fashion in Helsinki solidified its reputation as a nexus where fashion and art dissolve into one another.
The shoe takes inspiration from mid-century track runners but gives them Margiela’s signature deconstructed touch.
YSL Beauty has announced actor and musician Aron Piper as its new ambassador for Spain and Portugal. The 27-year-old star perfectly embodies the brand’s values of authenticity and individuality, aligning with the ethos of… »
The launch campaign, “EVERYTHING NOW – LEAVE NOTHING UNEXPRESSED,” captures the energy of a generation that treats every day as a chance to reinvent.
In a world that still asks “Does anyone even want to be a man anymore?”, their answer is a middle finger wrapped in glitter.
It began with a disruption: intentional, visual, and unapologetic. GLITCH wasn’t designed to follow clean lines or play it safe.
The organisation in charge of the prestigious ANDAM fashion competition unveils the list of finalists for the 36th edition.
Instead of just taking backstage shots himself, photographer Joonas S’Diri handed his phone to the models and let them take selfies.
Junya Watanabe joins forces with Alpha Industries to deliver a biker jacket defined by military rigor and Japanese avant-garde simplicity.
Granado teams up with Guimarães Rosa Institute and the French Institute for the fourth edition of ABERTO.
Indeed, after the calm that the last two months have brought (especially for those who work in the industry), it’s back to what, for some, is the most dreaded date: Fashion Week, which is not just a week, but a… »
The event highlighted a mix of established brands and new designers, all recognized for their focus on sustainability, creativity, and meaningful design.
The capsule collection takes the duo’s chaotic, genre-defying energy and turns it into wearable rebellion.
Persol’s Latest Drop is a Love Letter to Cinema and Steve McQueen
Maksym Rassokha captured by the lens of Oleg Borisuk and styled by Kiss Mark, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
To mark its anniversary, LOEWE is releasing the Puzzle 10 collection, a tribute to a decade of innovation.
For their 20th anniversary, END. joins forces with Aries to drop Arcade, a capsule collection built on nostalgia for 90s gaming culture, drift racing, and the gritty charm of seaside arcades.
Massimo Osti Studio teamed up with British artist Scott King for a capsule that blurs the line between clothing and critique.
