‘Stop the War’ Ukrainian model bags a job fronting Mulberry’s new collection of handbags

A Ukrainian model whose appearance at a ‘Stop the War’ protest made her an internet sensation has been signed by fashion house Mulberry to front its new campaign.

Pasha Harulia, who moved to France from Kyiv before Vladimir Putin’s invasion, will be the star of its new collection of handbags just three months after being pictured holding a placard outside the Russian embassy in Paris.

The 22-year-old, who is originally from Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, last week began filming promotional material in Greenwich, South-East London. She was seen clutching a bag from Mulberry’s new range, with prices between £545 and £1,650.

Sources at the British fashion firm say bosses believe Miss Harulia’s recruitment is a positive way to support Ukraine.

‘Pasha is becoming one of the most talked-about models on the catwalk,’ said one insider. ‘Hopefully it will raise awareness of the dire conditions in Ukraine.’

Miss Harulia, who had admitted to ‘terrible survivor’s guilt’ after escaping her war-torn homeland, has been raising awareness among her 54,000 Instagram followers about those whose lives have been destroyed by the war.

In an interview with Vogue magazine in March, she revealed her family had been taking refuge in shelters in the Ukrainian capital. 

‘Every single member of my family, except my husband, who is here in Paris with me, is in Kyiv where I live,’ she said. ‘My family has been in a shelter for the past seven days. Those places are always horrible. They can’t be comfortable.’

Sources at the British fashion firm say bosses believe Miss Harulia’s recruitment is a positive way to support Ukraine. ‘Pasha is becoming one of the most talked-about models on the catwalk,’ said one insider

Speaking of her protest in Paris, she added: ‘That was the first protest I went to after the war started, at the Russian embassy.

‘My husband woke me up. It was 5am, and he says, “I think they’re shooting missiles in Kyiv.”

‘It wasn’t a surprise at all… we went first to the Russian embassy. They wouldn’t let us come to the gates. They made us be on opposite sides of the road. People were p****d, really. I’ve been recognised so many times at protests already. They’re like, “Oh you’re the girl with the big white fur.” I’m trying to find the positive moments [like those] but it’s getting harder every day to find something to laugh about.’

Miss Harulia has become a regular fixture on catwalks across the world since 2018 when she starred in Prada’s Spring/Summer show.

She has also appeared on the cover of magazines in France, Singapore and Ukraine.

Miss Harulia has become a regular fixture on catwalks across the world since 2018 when she starred in Prada’s Spring/Summer show