A portrait series of strong, independent and inspirational women of all ages, made to bridge the gap between generations, honour motherhood, celebrate sisterhood and empower women and giving voice to their stories.

In Ukraine we say it’s a; War - Life - Balance. The first couple of months, motivation was humanitarian work. So you just wake up and keep on going and trying to find things to help people. And then you go to a job because you understand that donation doesn’t come from empty bank accounts. So that’s, I think my work became now even more self aware and my work became more meaningful because I know that a lot of money I’m just sending to my family or to my friends who is there. So I actually started to enjoy it even more. It’s it’s not just the money now, you know.

TANYA RUBAN
(34) mother, entrepreneur, model
Ukraine

I think that the best antidote, as I said lately to a friend of mine, is my kids. You know, you wake up, you see them smiling, jumping, not knowing. I mean, they know what’s going on, but they forget about it. And they, you know, they keep on living their life happy. And that’s you look at them and that’s my motivation, I think, every day to stay alive as well, not only outside but inside too.

I was raised by my grandparents mostly. My mama continued working, like studying and then she went back straight to work. And I remember my childhood only with my grandparents. And I think that’s amazing, because my grandparents taught me about the little things that matter in the house, like just like a little tradition, like a Sunday table, you know, the Sunday dinner or gardening as well. I found it, that’s what I want to teach my kids, you know, like, just to do little things with your hand, to grow, I don’t know, veggies or little herbs and stuff. And I think it’s important and beautiful right now, especially right now.

I would say it’s a generation of business women who always wanted their freedom and to have their power back. I’m actually more fulfilled when I’m working and when I explore. And another thing which is amazing is when I can bring my kiddos as well to travel. That’s fun. It can it can be tiring, but the experience is amazing. I think if you love what you doing, if you love your kids, if you’re honest to yourself and not trying to be somebody else, I think that’s the key to... to any life balance, not only work life.

Tanya Ruban (@rubanoid_) & Maya wear the Spring 2023 collection for INWEAR.
Photography by Simon Birk (@simonbirkphoto)
Film Photography by Klaus Langelund Møller (@_langelund)
HMU by Julie Garett (@julie.garrett)