It’s our pleasure to introduce you to our good friend Madina. You may recognise her from our insta feed as we did a lifestyle shoot with her earlier this year.
Originally from Kazakhstan (born in Almaty, grew up in Astana) she now lives in Berlin where she works as Co-Founder at Bulletproof Ukraine - a non-profit organisation manufacturing high-quality bulletproof vests for the Ukrainian people.
As you read this, Ukraine is being pummelled by missiles and bullets on a daily basis. If you’ve got a couple of quid spare, head over to their website and donate it. You’ll struggle to find a better way to spend your money today, that we promise you.
Also, head over to their Instagram - @bulletproof__ukraine - and give them a follow to stay up-to-date on everything they’re doing.
Now, onto the Culure Guidey stuff.
Tell us about the most exciting recent project you have worked on - either personally or professionally…
In early March 2022 me and my friend Rost started producing bulletproof vests in Ukraine. It was a necessary step due to the shortage of good quality body armor in Ukraine back then. Bulletproof vests are expensive (on ave. 750€/p) and hard to source. We were aiming to produce 5th protection class bulletproof vests and sell it for production costs (290€). We found a metal workshop which we repurposed for bulletproof vests production, gathered a team of body steel armor experts and started building our MVP. By September 2022 we produced more than 500 bulletproof vests fully powered by donations and our own investment, acquired an official quality certificate and grew out team.
We also changed our concept by focusing only on civilians who will be getting our vests completely for free. Why? Because our mission is saving lives. There are lots of scam manufacturers in Ukraine, who sell really cheap vests that do not withstand bullets. As civilians cannot really test bulletproof vests that they buy, they are more at risk of dying from using such vests. As we are the only Non-Profit bulletproof vests producer in Ukraine, we decided that giving our vests for free to civilians is a logical next step to solve this issue. People also can now choose where their donations are going by picking a civilian organisation on our website and contributing to the bulletproof vests production specifically for that organisation.
Please tell us which piece from the SPA collection you’re wearing and what you have styled it with.
The text book black short-sleeve t-shirt!
TRACK OR ALBUM: what's your favourite atm and why?
Voin Oruwu - Amplification
Voin Oruwu aka Koloah is one of the most talented Ukrainian producers. This track sounds like Kyiv to me. It embodies its energy, stylish roughness, aesthetics and flow. As I consider Kyiv my second home, I feel reconnected every time I listen to this track. Especially now, in the context of war, it strengthens my moral when I am not in Ukraine. "
RESTAURANT: what's your favourite where you’re living atm and why?
I cannot say that I have a favourite one. But Kitten in Xberg is my go to place.
MUSEUM / GALLERY: what's your favourite where you're living atm and why?
The Boros Collection that is situated in the WWII era bunker is one of those places where you can enjoy not only great art curation, but also the aesthetics of the place.
CLUB / NIGHTLIFE: what's your favourite spot where you're living atm and why?
Berghain because of the great crowd / sound quality mix.
SHOPPING: what’s your favourite hidden gem of a shop to go clothes shopping where you’re living atm and why?
HARDT in X-berg. This is probably the only place where I shop offline in Berlin.
FILM: what’s the best film you’ve watched recently and why?
Gaspar Noe's movies always leave me with a question: "what did I just watch?". I love them for atypical narratives presented with great visual aesthetics.
TV: what’s the best series you’ve watched recently and why?
I
don't
watch
TV
series.
Anything else you want to add?
DONATE TO UKRAINE RIGHT NOW. Or to our bulletproof vests production for civilians. Just click here.
