Today, the news agency Interfax-Ukraine hosted a press conference titled “Fashion PRORYV” — a platform for cultural diplomacy and Ukraine’s international dialogue with the world.
“Ukrainian youth have proven that even in the darkest times they are capable of rising to moral and spiritual heights. And it is with them that a new era of Ukrainian fashion culture begins,” emphasized Golda Vynohradska, the competition organizer and president of the public union “Fashion PRORYV.”
According to her, “Fashion PRORYV” emerged as the fashion industry’s response to the war and since 2014 has evolved into an initiative that brings together vocational education, manufacturing, and international partners. At first, the project had a practical goal — the organizers designed and produced items needed for the front line — and later it grew into a competitive platform with partnerships, international shows, and presentations of Ukrainian participants’ works abroad.
Natalia Sasina, president of the Italian association Vita World (joining online), said that the Italian side is taking part in the “Fashion PRORYV for Freedom and Peace” event together with Fashion Globus Ukraine, engaging fashion schools and Italy’s professional community. She stressed that the initiative has not only an artistic but also a social dimension: “This is an event that speaks about the war — and at the same time about dignity, beauty, and the power of creativity. We want to show Ukraine not in the language of pity, but in the language of talent and resilience.”
A separate part of the discussion during the press conference focused on workforce training for the light industry and the role of vocational education in the country’s recovery. Kateryna Myroshnychenko, head of the All-Ukrainian Association of Vocational Education Workers, noted that stereotypes still persist in society about vocational education as “non-prestigious” and “secondary,” but the reality of war has completely disproved them.
“From the first days of the war, our students aged 15–17, sometimes even younger, worked to supply the front line: with sewn products, warm clothing, and institutions mastered new technologies and processes to respond to the needs of the time. Today vocational education is one of the powerful waves of support for the army and the economy,” she said.
At the same time, Myroshnychenko drew attention to the shrinking network of institutions that train personnel for the light industry and emphasized the need for a state policy to support the sector. According to her, a number of countries — in particular Turkey and China — show that an economic upturn often begins precisely with the development of light industry, investment in manufacturing, and workforce training.
In the context of international cooperation, participants of the press conference said that practical partnerships around the sector are capable of launching specific projects already in the short term. In particular, an example was cited of foreign companies’ interest in cooperation with Ukrainian institutions and production sites after the demonstration of competition works.
While discussing the interaction between business and the state, participants emphasized that a systemic breakthrough requires stable “education–business–state” models, as well as regular dialogue with sector employers. According to the speakers, successful pilot approaches to partnerships with employers in Ukraine had existed earlier, including in certain manufacturing sectors, and such practices should be scaled up.
Dmytro Kalach, a representative of Softorg, spoke about business participation in the development of vocational training, in particular through the creation of training laboratories at educational institutions, support for competitions, and involvement of companies as external partners in updating curricula and strengthening the practical component of training future specialists.
The press conference also included representatives of the organizers and partners, who noted that “Fashion PRORYV” is seen as a long-term platform combining cultural diplomacy, social responsibility, and the economic potential of the light industry — through support for talented youth, international collaborations, and promotion of Ukrainian manufacturing.
“Fashion PRORYV” is an initiative that brings together vocational education, the light industry, and international partnerships. Within the platform, competitive programs and presentations are held aimed at supporting young designers and promoting Ukraine through a modern cultural and production ecosystem.
As reported, the Column Hall of the Kyiv City State Administration hosted the ceremonial final of the 8th All-Ukrainian Professional Skills Competition “Fashion PRORYV for Freedom and Peace,” within which collections of sports and adaptive clothing were presented and the winners were awarded.
CULTURAL DIPLOMACY, FASHION PRORYV, LIGHT INDUSTRY, VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
