Ajna Hase - Creator of Tymoshenko’s Lace-Backed Frock

KIEV, Ukraine -- Julia Tymoshenko’s favorite couturier is the Italian team of Dolce & Gabbana, but the dress she wore when she made her debut in Parliament was created a Ukrainian fashion designer - Ajna Hase.

In spite of her unusual name, Ajna was born in a Cherkassan village. Her name is a pseudonym. 29 year-old Ajna has been working in Kiev for five years. Her list of well-known clients includes Liudmyla Omelchenko and Maryna Kinakh. She was introduced to Julia Tymoshenko by Oleksander Turchynov’s wife.

In an interview with the BBC, Ms. Hase related that Julia Tymoshenko is a discriminating customer who knows her mind and does not often take advice.

“We have often joked that she could be a fashion designer herself. She sees details that even I with my training and experience do not notice,” said the couturier.

"She wants every outfit to be feminine. She favors fur and both fine and large-patterned lace. She likes relaxed lines and soft fabrics. Her style can be labeled as business-romantic. I am glad to see that she is breaking the stereotype of standard business attire. This is as it should be. She is beautiful, youthful, and besides that, she is the Premiere. She has earned the right to be innovative with her wardrobe.”

Ajna Hase has been designing for Julia Tymoshenko since last spring. The couturier says that Ms. Tymoshenko’s favorite colors are pink, beige, pale violet, grey, and black. However, the Ukrainian premiere is not fond of red because, according to Ajna, it is too aggressive, and there is nothing aggressive about Julia Volodymyrivna’s figure.


On her days off Ms. Tymoshenko likes to wear jeans; but to keep from looking too casual she accessorizes her outfits with something feminine like a fur coat or a brocade jacket.

Ms. Hase does not reveal the cost of the Premiere’s outfits. Suffice it to say that the clothing in her boutique has price tags ranging from about 500 hr. for a chiffon blouse to 5,000 hr. for a coat or suit.

BBC could not discover who braids Tymoshenko’s plait every morning. All they know is that hairdresser comes to her home, but his name is a secret.

A high-end Kiev hair salon frequented by television journalists, delegates to the Chamber of Deputies and their wives charges 196 hr for a coiffure like Tymoshenko’s.