Ruslan Baginskiy is a renowned hat designer known for his exceptional craftsmanship, unique style, impeccable artistry and distinctive approach. His hats effortlessly fuse fashion and functionality, rendering them indispensable for any event or setting.
From Beyoncé to Madonna, whose personas embody empowerment and strength, Ruslan Baginskiy’s hats have sat atop the heads of the most iconic cultural figures. To this Ukrainian designer, style is not just about glamour but a statement of resilience and identity, especially within the backdrop of conflict in his motherland. We got the opportunity to speak to the milliner, who treated the Kyiv fashion crowd to his new collection at Ukrainian Fashion Week last September, which returned for the first time since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. In this interview, Ruslan opens up about building his family and friends-run business, navigating a turbulent time for his country and finding inspiration in both the extraordinary and the everyday.
Hats are fantastic. Tell us what drew you to this accessory?
I have to agree! And to answer the question, my life in the fashion industry started with styling, where I often used hats. I couldn’t find very many that I liked so at some point I tried making them myself. Even the first hats I made had great feedback and I really loved the process of hat making and the result. Little by little I started learning, trying, experimenting until one day my brand was born.
Have you always worn hats? Do you have an earliest memory of wearing a hat?
My mom says I was like all kids, wearing a hat “under supervision.”. But I do remember being drawn to them. My hometown, Lviv, kept the culture of hat-wearing, and I saw them regularly on my mom and my grandmother. I always thought they were an exceptional element of the wardrobe, almost magical. I think that love remained, and that’s what drew me to using them in styling and then to building my own universe of headwear.
You have had to relocate from Kyiv to Lviv because of the war. How did it feel to move and leave the city?
The first days of the war felt like a total apocalypse. We have a big team now built of friends and family, and of course, the first day I could only think about them. Leaving Kyiv, our home, was just unbelievable. It felt like a nightmare, and you try to wake up from it, but can’t. The relocation was a quick decision but a necessary one. It allowed us to regroup and react, which was a crucial step in saving the business at that time. I am pleased to say we returned to Kyiv in December 2023, and we are still here. The situation in Ukraine hasn’t changed, but we have changed. We learned how to deal with problems, how to adapt, and how to live with danger. Sadly, for now, we still have to do that everyday.
Heritage has played a big impact in your design approach. Has the conflict had an impact on your work? How do you stay inspired?
When something you love is attacked, you want to protect it even more. My home is being attacked for its values, its culture, and its independence. After the initial shock, my reaction, like that of many people in culture, was to deepen my research of the past, to integrate my vision of Ukrainian modernity, and to show the world what we are actually fighting for. What Ukraine is about and why it’s worth protecting.
Tell us more about the collaboration with Beyonce. And which of her songs make you want to get up and move?
I think I will always remember these months of my life; it was a gigantic project. Occasionally, I still can’t believe it came together. I’ve been a fan for a really long time, and my YouTube history would be a witness. We worked closely with the team, and it was a lot of back and forth until the final vision was formed. I’m happy to say we still work together from time to time. When the tour started, I was invited to the concert in Amsterdam. It was spectacular to see all the work in real life. If I had to choose a favourite song, I guess it would have to be Formation, as it’s the one we did hats for!
And obviously, we would like to know about Madonna. How did it feel to see your designs open her tour?
Madonna has been such an important part of our story. She has supported the brand from the first year, which was such a big inspiration for me to go on. As a huge fan of Madonna’s art, her interest in the hats was one of the main moments for me to know I was on the right path. Almost seven years later, seeing her open such an iconic tour with so many RB hats felt like a full-circle moment. It was an honour to be part of it. And she didn’t just open with RB hats but also with the Ukrainian flag. You can imagine how much it meant to me and all my team and to Ukrainians.
If you ever get to take a break and slip away on vacation, which hats do you take with you?
Sadly, vacation is only a set of memories now. Of course, I have a break here and there, like for major holidays, but since the start of the full-scale war, I haven’t been on a real vacation, like most Ukrainians. When I used to travel, the hats travelled too. I love bringing a bunch of them with me, and I made a lot of packable or transformer hats because of this.
Do you have a style of hat you wear the most?
I have different favourites, often depending on the season! But the hat I wear most consistently is a black fedora.
Talk us through your perfect weekend e.g. favourite brunch place, evening activity, lazy Sunday…
My perfect weekend would be a peaceful one. But, of course, even with the situation now, it's important to try to relax. I think a good day would be going out to breakfast with friends, maybe to a new place. It's fun to try new things on the weekends. Going to an exhibition or to see a film or a vintage market, and definitely some form of connection with nature—it can be a picnic, a trip to the forest or lake. Even just watching the sunset from my window.
When you get to rest at home, do you have a favourite room in the house? What makes it special?
These questions are so fun! I have an open kitchen living room, and, as I mentioned, I love to cook and have company over, so I guess that would be my favourite room. It feels like the heart of my house. And it has a balcony full of flowers.
Is there a hobby (hobbies) that help you unwind?
I think anything that helps me zone out or change perspective. I don’t know if you can call browsing vintage markets a hobby, but it should be one. Not only that, but I also collect a lot of fashion books about iconic designers but also about shop windows and object design. I love flipping through them.
How do you define luxury in your life, and has this definition changed over time?
I guess when you are young, luxury is associated with certain brands or lifestyle choices. Now, luxury to me is much more about time. About having a choice. As a Ukrainian person, I have to say luxury is about having stability—being able to plan, being able to imagine the future.
How much do you trust your gut feelings?
A lot. I think I actually rely on my instincts and constantly try to listen to them, despite the thoughts I might have.
And what’s next for the RB brand?
I really love physical spaces. The next very exciting step is making more of them! In very new locations!
Thank you, Ruslan, it was a pleasure!
Visit Ruslan Baginskiy's official website.
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Last Updated on February 6, 2025 by Editorial Team
