Lifestyle Notes - Tanya Kameneva

We’re excited to introduce our new series — Lifestyle Notes. In it, we’ll be sharing stories of inspiring people from various fields and offering a glimpse into their way of life.

The first feature highlights Tanya Kameneva, the director of the Shields Ukraine charity foundation. Since March 2022, the organization has been providing critical support to Ukrainian troops on the front lines. In our conversation, we talked about how her journey in charity work began, what drives her to keep going, and how clothing can carry both style and emotional weight.

You’ve worked in various fields — the restaurant industry, social activism, and charity work. What motivated you at each of these stages?

Whatever I was involved in, I was always driven by the idea and the purpose behind it. I love when work energizes and empowers you — when it becomes a space where dreams can take shape.

When did you first feel the desire to dedicate yourself to helping others?

I don’t really feel like I’m dedicating myself to helping others. It feels more like I’m dedicating myself — to myself — by doing what I truly enjoy. It just so happens that I’m genuinely drawn to charity work as a phenomenon.

What was your first charitable project?

I was 22 when my partner and I opened a restaurant in Kharkiv called *Snih na Holovu* (“Snow on Your Head”). The kitchen team included both people with mental disabilities and those without. I had come across a similar concept abroad, spent a sleepless night thinking about it, and realized — this is what I want to do. I loved the idea of creating a space where there’s room for everyone.

“A good life is made up of choices and courage — and all of it demands great strength from each of us.”

What does a typical day look like for you? And what might seem like a small thing from the outside, but actually takes a lot of strength?

I wake up, take a cold shower, and have the same breakfast every day. Then I grab my dog and head to work. I work, connect with my loved ones, and make time for exercise. A good life is made up of choices and courage — and all of that takes a great deal of strength from each of us.

You work with topics that require a lot of empathy. How do you take care of yourself and your mental well-being? Do you have any personal rituals?

The spaces that call for empathy are often the very ones filled with strength, faith, hope, and inspiration. So I’m not only giving — I’m also receiving. I recharge when I’m surrounded by nature, when I’m reading, going to the sauna, or spending time with friends — simple, universal things that bring most people comfort.

Якби кожна людина в країні могла зробити одну добру дію — що б ви порадили?

Бути добрим до себе.

Як ви обираєте, що вдягати зранку? Чи є у вас формула улюбленого образу?

У мене є два стани: бути нарядною і одягнутись так, щоб одяг мене не втомлював. Буває, що вдягаєшся гарно, почуваєшся красунічкою, але хочеться скоріше все це з себе скинути. Я люблю бути вдягненою так, щоб не мріяти цілий день перевдягнутися — просто.

Яка річ з вашого гардеробу має історію або особливу емоційну вагу?

Я купила сумку ALYX за пару днів до повномасштабного вторгнення: маленьку вечірню на товстому ланцюжку. Коли вранці під обстрілами збирала тривожний рюкзак, чомусь взяла її з собою, хоча не взяла багато важливих речей. Подумала: буде на день перемоги.Тоді ще були такі думки. Зараз вона мені вже не подобається, можна було б її продати, але я її бережу — бо ця річ на «особливий день»