The Ukrainian fashion brand T. Mosca is at the centre of a scandal due to a conflict between the brand’s co-owners Oksana Shapovalova and Kateryna Kvit. The co-owners are unable to divide the brand and have put forward their own versions of the conflict, Komersant ukrainskyi
reports
The conflict that has recently shaken social media came as a surprise to many fans of the brand, which has gained considerable popularity over the 10 years of its existence thanks to its high-quality knitwear. However, despite the creative achievements, the business relationship between the co-founders reached a new, confrontational level.
Both co-owners put forward their own versions of the conflict. Oksana Shapovalova accused Kateryna Kvit of a raider attack.
“I and my T. Mosca team have become victims of a raider attack. Our company’s office, personal belongings, website and Instagram were seized and blocked without any explanation. I sincerely apologise to our customers, as we are currently unable to make shipments, respond to messages or meet you in the showroom,” Shapovalova said.
She also noted that her partner had been withdrawing funds for her personal needs, abusing the trust.
“I met you every day in the showroom, where yesterday my partner Katerina Kvit barbarically changed the locks to start blackmailing me. I consider this to be fraudulent and we will certainly get a response from law enforcement. Already today, the police intervened to stop this lawlessness. I am, however, trying to understand the actions of my partner, who moved to Vienna with her husband at the beginning of the war. Apparently, she does not understand how difficult it is for Ukrainian businesses to survive during the war. That’s why she allows the company’s money to be withdrawn for her own personal purposes,” said the brand’s co-owner.
Shapovalova is convinced that these actions are illegal and plans to defend her rights in court.
“I insisted on conducting a financial audit, which Kateryna did not agree to and resorted to illegal actions. Therefore, further disputes will be resolved exclusively in the legal field. After we agreed to terminate our partnership, Katerina, as I see it, decided to steal the company that I have been building with hard work for many years,” Shapovalova said, stressing that she would not allow further abuse.
For her part, Katerina Kvit claims that communication problems between her and Oksana have been going on for five months:
“Firstly, I want to address you now, Oksana, because you have not been in touch with me for all five months. Maybe a little less, but for about five months we have not had any contact at all.”
According to Kvit, she had informed Oksana of her desire to leave the business and offered several options to resolve the situation:
“Five months ago, I called Oksana and expressed my desire to leave the T.Mosca business. I offered her to choose her options as well, because I definitely don’t want to continue working for the T.Mosca brand. If you, Oksana, want to continue, please, I will give you all the rights. If you want to sell, we can offer someone to sell our business. If you want to just close it, we will consider that as well.”
She also noted that she had not received a response during this time: “I texted every week, but I didn’t get any response.”
She also claims that it was Oksana who continued to withdraw funds from the brand’s accounts without her approval.
Kvit also shared a story about problems with access to the showroom she has been renting since 2012. She claims that she tried to enter the premises but was denied access. As a result, she decided to change the locks, as she is a legal tenant.
Regarding her trips abroad, Kvit explains that she did not leave Ukraine permanently, but travelled between Vienna and Ukraine to develop her business:
“I was always travelling between the two countries – between Vienna and Ukraine – and setting up business. I opened factories and provided jobs. And I want to say that I developed our business in the global market. I did everything I did with my own money and developed our business, Oksana. Ours, not yours, as you say. But it will be yours, because I don’t want to work in it.”
This conflict has received a wide response on social media, where many users are actively discussing the situation, expressing their support for one side or the other.
What we know about the T.Mosca brand
on 23 May, the Ukrainian brand T.Mosca celebrated its 10-year history.
Founded in 2014 by Kateryna Kvit and Oksana Shapovalova, T.Mosca is known for its knitwear.