Growing up in the suburbs of Kyiv, Ukraine, Anna and Sonya Kuprienko drew inspiration for their “dark pop” music from the likes of Radiohead and Massive Attack, as well as the traditional folkloric sounds from their childhood. The sisters, who wear Gauge81 for this shoot, have toured with Duran Duran and joined Katy Perry and Will.i.am as part of Unicef’s Imagine campaign in 2015. As war continues in their home country, they’re gearing up to release hard-hitting, political records that aim to raise awareness and encourage people to use their voices for good.
FROM LEFT: Sonya wears dress by GAUGE81, earrings and necklace by CAPSULE ELEVEN, bracelet (left arm) by TILLY SVEAAS, bracelet (right arm) by ANNA-KARIN KaARLSSON and boots by MACH & MACH. Anna wears top and skirt by GAUGE81, earrings and necklace by CAPSULE ELEVEN, nose ring Anna’s own, bracelet (left arm) by ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON, bracelet (right arm) by TILLY SVEAAS and boots by UNDERGROUND.
ROM LEFT: Anna wears dress by GAUGE81, earrings by MARGAUX STUDIOS, nose ring Anna’s own, top necklace and ring by EVE WILSON, bottom necklace by MELT, tights by CALZEDONIA and boots by NIIHAI. Sonya wears dress by GAUGE81, earrings by MARGAUX STUDIOS, top necklace and rings by EVE WILSON, bottom necklace by MELT, gloves by HANDSOME STOCKHOLM and shoes by PARIS TEXAS.
“I read a lot of news and that inspires me. Everything that’s happening I feel like I have to let it out, and whoever listens to it I really hope it helps them in some way.” – Sonya
FROM LEFT: Sonya wears dress by GAUGE81, sunglasses by HOT FUTURES, earrings and necklace by EVE WILSON, ring by TILLY SVEAAS, knee-highs by TORA-LILY and shoes by MACH & MACH. Anna wears shirt and skirt by GAUGE81, sunglasses by HOT FUTURES, earrings by EVE WILSON, necklace by CAPSULE ELEVEN, rings by TILLY SVEAAS, tights stylist’s own and shoes by MACH & MACH.
“Music is where you can feel free. There’s nothing better than feeling free with other people – in the audience and dancing and actually connecting. Music can do that, it can bring us together. We can feel one another without having to explain anything.” – Sonya
FROM LEFT: Anna wears dress by GAUGE81, sunglasses by ROBERT LA ROCHE, nose ring Anna’s own, gloves by HANDSOME STOCKHOLM and boots by NIIHAI.
Sonya wears dress by GAUGE81, sunglasses by MEH, gloves by HANDSOME STOCKHOLM
and boots by PARIS TEXAS.
Anna wears top and skirt by GAUGE81, nose ring and small earrings Anna’s own, large hoop earrings by MARIPOSA and belt by ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON. Sonya wears dress by GAUGE81, earrings by MARIPOSA and belt by ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON.
“The younger generation is so vital right now, talking about politics, talking about anything in this life. I think you have to trust in young people. Those kids of our generation will do good things because it’s all based on us. Speak up – remember that your voice matters and use it. We have a voice and people following us, so we can spread important messages. For me, I feel like if there’s something important, something going on, I want to spread those messages and I want to talk about it.” – Anna
FROM LEFT: Sonya wears top and skirt by GAUGE81 and earrings by NATIA X LAKO. Anna wears dress by GAUGE81, nose ring Anna’s own and earrings by NATIA X LAKO.
“[Ukrainian music] is a traditional folklore our parents used to play all the time, and that’s what we grew up listening to, so it definitely affected us. Also the way we harmonise is very Ukrainian. A lot of people say that it’s Slavic.” – Sonya
FROM LEFT: Anna wears shirt and skirt by GAUGE81, nose ring and small earrings Anna’s own and large earrings, necklaces and bracelet by CAPSULE ELEVEN. Sonya wears dress by GAUGE81 and earrings, necklaces and bracelet by CAPSULE ELEVEN.
PhotographerRankin
StylistMorgan Hall
Beauty EditorMarco Antonio Using Gucci Beauty
Hair StylistAlex Sarghe
Photography AssistantsOlly Dundas, Bethan Evans, Alex Heron, Marcus Lister, Chelsea Nawanga
