Blended Brand Stories

Born in Ukraine and now based in the USA, Karina Smyrnova brings her lifelong passion for creativity to Pacatus, a mindful fashion brand founded by Iliana Villatoro that prioritizes artisans, clients, and environmental sustainability. Both Karina and Iliana share a deep appreciation for nature-inspired design that transcends trends, with Pacatus embodying its Latin meaning of "peace and calm" while Karina lives by the motto "Life is one. Explore. Because you never know until you try."

Their serendipitous meeting at a DOORS NYC event sparked a beautiful collaboration that bridges continents through fashion. The resulting hand-painted skirt collection thoughtfully weaves together elements from Ukraine and El Salvador, featuring national flowers, birds like El Salvador’s Torogoz and Ukraine’s Swallow, and symbolic plants that highlight the unexpected connections between seemingly different and beautiful cultures.

This partnership represents the best of both worlds—Pacatus' commitment to timeless, versatile pieces and Karina’s journey from exploration to meaningful creation. Together, they've created this limited collection of hand-painted skirts that tell a story of cultural appreciation, environmental mindfulness, and the universal language of art that connects diverse backgrounds through shared artistic vision, respect for craftsmanship, and deep appreciation of nature.

Model: Michelle Linna

Photographer: Alex Dani