The international project Fashion PRORYV For Freedom held a series of fashion shows in Milan from February 24 to March 8, 2026, which were included in the official program of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Cultural Olympiad and Milan Fashion Week, according to the event organizers.
As noted in the press release, the project combined fashion, education, and human rights themes and served as a platform to introduce a new generation of Ukrainian designers to the European market. The event was organized by the associations VITAWORLD, Terre des Hommes Italia, and Fashion Globus Ukraine, with the support of the Consiglio Regione Lombardia and the regional branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine in the Kyiv region.
The contest’s founder, Golda Vynohradska, emphasized that Milan served as a space where Ukrainian youth demonstrated not only their professional skills but also a modern European vision. According to her, Fashion PRORYV is a platform where fashion becomes a tool for education, cultural diplomacy, and new economic opportunities for the younger generation of Ukrainians.
The shows featured collections that combined high-level design, technical innovation, and a distinct cultural identity. The organizers paid special attention to inclusive design solutions for people with disabilities. According to their data, the first commercial orders were placed during the events, opening up prospects for cooperation between Ukrainian educational institutions and Italian partners.
Live performances dedicated to solidarity, freedom, and the empowerment of women were a separate part of the events. Braids in the colors of the flags of Ukraine, Venezuela, Kurdistan, and Italy served as a symbolic element. An artistic highlight of the program was a presentation by Ukrainian artist and designer Olga Nikitenko, dedicated to the civic stance of Ukrainian Olympian Vladislav Geraskevich.
Among the event’s guests of honor were fashion and design expert and former director of Vogue Italia Gisela Borioli, Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission of the Comune di Milano Diana De Marchi, and President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Ukraine Walter Tognetti. They expressed their support for the international development of Ukrainian designers and highlighted the potential of such initiatives to strengthen cultural and economic ties between Ukraine and Italy.
The organizers emphasized that, in the context of the war, cultural and educational projects are of particular importance for Ukraine, as they contribute to the formation of new international ties and open up opportunities for the younger generation.
The organizers had previously announced plans for this event in the press room of the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
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
February 13, 2026, 11:00
Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), Column Hall
(Kyiv, 26 Khreshchatyk St.)
Competition organizers:
The National Industry Partnership in Ukraine’s Light Industry “Fashion Globus Ukraine” and the Italian association VITAWORLD
On February 13, 2026, the Column Hall of the Kyiv City State Administration will host the ceremonial final of the 8th All-Ukrainian Professional Skills Competition “Fashion PRORYV for Freedom and Peace” https://fashionglobusukraine.com/konkurs/ua/fashion-proryv-2026 — a large-scale event that brings together fashion, education, culture, and international partnership between Ukraine and Italy. The final in Kyiv will take place in the format of a runway show featuring collections of sportswear and adaptive clothing, as well as an awards ceremony for the winners.
The Fashion PRORYV competition, launched in 2016, has become a unique platform for cooperation among educators, manufacturers, young designers, and sewing professionals. The project, initiated by Fashion Globus Ukraine, has created an effective model of interaction between education, business, and creativity.
“Over the years of the war with the Russian Federation, we have created a platform of peacebuilding cultural diplomacy, where Ukraine speaks to the world not in the language of pity, but in the language of dignity, creativity, and culture. We have created a precedent: when a competition in the fashion industry became a narrative about humanity, strength, resilience, and hope,” says the competition’s President, Golda Vynohradska.
Over the years, the competition has been held under the patronage of the city halls of Lviv, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih. In 2025, the project received support from the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, and in 2026—from the City of Milan.
Fashion as cultural diplomacy
During wartime, Fashion PRORYV has taken on special significance, turning into a platform for cultural diplomacy and international dialogue. Each year, between 60 and 100 educational institutions from all regions of Ukraine take part in the competition. In 2025, the winners’ collections were presented in Paris, Oslo, Milan, and Luxembourg.
This year’s competition is dedicated to cooperation with Italy and the theme of sports. It features students from 52 Ukrainian fashion-industry educational institutions and 4 Italian universities (Venice, Salerno, Milan, Rome).
International finals in Kyiv and Milan
A ceremonial international presentation will take place on February 28, 2026, in Milan (Milan San Siro Hotel) as part of the Milano-Cortina 2026 events and Milan Fashion Week.
Such projects demonstrate Ukraine’s innovative potential, young people’s prospects, and the value of human capital.
Distinguished guests and professional jury
The event will be attended by:
• representatives of the diplomatic corps,
• Olympic champions,
• cultural and sports figures,
• leaders of the fashion industry of Ukraine and Italy.
The jury includes leading experts in fashion, education, and creative industries of Ukraine and Italy: Ivan Frolov, Katya Silchenko, Olena Holets, Taras Prytula, Kateryna Myroshnychenko, Halyna Yerko, Emilia Ametrano, Walter Togni, Elena Kalencani.
General partner of the competition: SOFTORG
Invitation
The organizers invite journalists and media representatives to share in the celebration of Fashion PRORYV—an event about courage, talent, and the power to create the future even in the most difficult times. Such projects demonstrate Ukraine’s breakthrough, prospects for youth, and above all the value of human capital!
Media accreditation
For accreditation and additional information:
+38 067 220 86 37
Goldafashion.ua@gmail.com
www.fashionglobusukraine.com
Interfax Ukraine is the official information partner of the event.
