“Each custom garment is created to tell a story and each one is assigned to a distinct capsule. By defining six capsules, each jacket takes on a meaningful and primary message.“

It’s a sunny summer evening in Niagara, Ontario, with the sound of busy bees humming nearby. Similar humming and buzzing comes from Tina Truszyk’s sewing room, where she’s as busy as the pollinators crafting clothing. A corporate woman with a hectic schedule by day, Truszyk works hard at night to fill dozens of orders for her newly launched business. For CTO POKIB (pronounced STO ROKIV), she sews one-of-a-kind jean jackets from vintage denim and Ukrainian embroidery. 

With a humble mannequin nearby, and surrounded by racks of second-hand denim and remnants of needlework, she prepares for her next creation. She envisions each piece as a celebration of Ukrainian pride through traditional cultural artifacts, while driving sustainable practices and social change.

 A true fashionista, Tina sees street fashion as a powerful form of storytelling. Beautiful Ukrainian embroidery showcases an iconic decorative art through intricate geometric and floral patterns. This ornamentation embodies the heritage of various Ukrainian regions through vibrant primary colors. Each combination of red and black, often paired with white, blue, yellow, or green, carries its own unique significance. By incorporating hand-stitched embroidery from pillows, tablecloths, clothing, and ceremonial cloths into wearable pieces, Tina brings Ukrainian culture to life in a fresh and celebratory way.

The idea of CTO POKIB, which means 100 years in Ukrainian, came to Tina while looking for a way to pay homage to her father. Her Tato (father) had immigrated to Canada and passed away earlier this year at age 100. On a mission to share her culture, the question of ‘how’ eventually answered itself. 

“I can’t remember the exact moment it all came together in my mind. Sewing has always been an important creative outlet for me, and I love fun street fashion,” says Truszyk. “Jean jackets are one of my favorite things as they bring energy to any outfit. Using upcycled denim seemed to be a perfect canvas for vibrant embroidery with a strong story. Plus, jean jackets are almost timeless, easily worn over casual t-shirts or fancy sundresses while making a statement.”

Finding vintage denim is the easy part and it’s integral to CTO POKIB’s pillar of sustainability. Tina thrifts on a weekly basis and looks for a range of colors and styles – faded, dark, and camouflage all feature in her jean jackets. While she fields custom orders, she won’t work on new jackets – her clients must provide thrifted or used pieces from their closets.

One of Tina’s biggest challenges is finding the right embroidery. To kick off her work, she purchased a collection of material from a Ukrainian retirement home. Often, the embroidery she seeks hides in plain sight or sits carefully stored away whether on pillows in living rooms, blouses in closets, or tablecloths in cupboards and boxes. However, Tina’s strong ties to the close-knit Ukrainian community help her succeed in the search. Many people donate cherished family heirlooms, recognizing the value in giving them new life.

For example, a woman from Tina’s church donated a box of embroidery from her mother and grandmother, eager to see it shared with the world. She felt deeply moved when she later spotted the intricate needlework featured on one of Tina’s jackets. Another community member traveled to Ukraine for Easter and returned with dozens of hand-embroidered pieces, eager to contribute to Tina’s business.

Grateful for these finds, Truszyk looks to honor each piece individually. “Each custom garment is created to tell a story and each one is assigned to a distinct capsule,” she explains. By defining six capsules, each jacket takes on a meaningful and primary message.

Capsule 1 Obrus. Celebrates the humble tablecloth that every family has for special occasions and brings the past and present together.

Capsule 2 Two Colors. Activates the power of the red and black motifs of Ukrainian embroidery that form a visual symphony of heritage and pride while honoring its resilience.

Capsule 3 The Rushnyk. Honors the ceremonial piece that is a symbol of love, unity and sacred rituals – expressing community bonds and spiritual connection.

Capsule 4 Pillows. Offers deep solace and warmth, sharing of love and heritage.

Capsule 5 The Hopak. Transcends the movement of Ukrainian culture, celebrating the strength, skill, and cultural identity by integrating cherished dance garments.

Capsule 6 Barysh. This capsule sits closest to Tina’s heart. It represents the legacy of her father, as he was born in the village of the same name. Embroidery from here is a direct connection to the heart and soul of her family.

Every piece sold by CTO POKIB is personally sourced and handcrafted by Tina Truszyk. Since launching and selling her first designs in the spring of 2024 on Instagram @cto.pokib, she has filled dozens of orders both locally and well beyond the borders of her home in Canada. Tina believes that these pieces redefine style by celebrating Ukrainian heritage and donates a portion of the proceeds to aid Ukrainian-centric causes. Through second sourcing jackets and vintage embroidery, landfill waste is reduced, resources are preserved, while mitigating the textile industry’s environmental toll, one jacket at a time.

To place an order for a jacket, go to CTO POKIB Instagram @cto.pokib and send Tina a Direct Message (DM) or email cto.pokib@gmail.com. Jacket pricing ranges from $160 to $250 CAD depending on the embroidery. Watch Instagram for the latest designs available for sale. Custom orders take approximately 4 weeks.