Today the news agency “Interfax-Ukraine” held a press-conference “Fashion PRORYV” – a platform of cultural diplomacy and international dialogue of Ukraine with the world.
“Ukrainian youth has proved: even in the darkest times it is able to rise to moral and spiritual heights. And it is with her that a new era of Ukrainian fashion culture begins”, – stressed the organiser of the contest and president of the public union “Fashion PRORYV” Golda Vinogradska.
According to her, “Fashion PRORYV” appeared as a response of the fashion industry to the war and since 2014 has turned into an initiative that unites vocational education, production and international partners. Initially, the project had a practical purpose – the organisers designed and produced items needed for the front, and later it grew into a competition platform with partnerships, international shows and presentations of Ukrainian participants’ works abroad.
Natalia Sasina, President of the Italian Association Vita World (connected online) said that the Italian side joins the event “Fashion PRORYV for Freedom and Peace” together with Fashion Globus Ukraine, involving fashion schools and professional environment of Italy. She emphasised that the initiative has not only an artistic but also a social dimension: “this is an event that speaks about war – and at the same time about dignity, beauty and the power of creativity. We want to show Ukraine not in the language of regret, but in the language of talent and resilience”.
A separate block of discussion during the press conference was devoted to personnel training for the light industry and the role of vocational education in the reconstruction of the country. Chairwoman of the All-Ukrainian Association of Vocational Education Workers Kateryna Miroshnichenko noted that society still maintains stereotypes about vocational education as “non-prestigious” and “secondary”, but the reality of the war completely disproved them.
“From the first days of the war, our students of 15-17 years old, sometimes even younger – worked to provide the front: sewing products, warm clothes, 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, Miroshnichenko drew attention to the shrinking network of institutions that train personnel for the light industry, and emphasised the need for state policy to support the industry. According to her, a number of countries, in particular Turkey and China, demonstrate that economic growth often starts with the development of light industry, investment in production and personnel training.
In the context of international co-operation, the participants in the press conference said that practical partnerships around the industry can launch concrete projects in a short period of time. In particular, an example of foreign companies’ interest in co-operation with Ukrainian institutions and production sites after demonstration of competitive works was given.
During the discussion on the interaction between business and government, the participants noted that a systemic breakthrough requires sustainable models of “education – business – government”, as well as regular dialogue with industry employers. According to the speakers, successful pilot approaches to partnership with employers in Ukraine have already existed earlier, in particular on the examples of individual production sectors, and such practices should be scaled up.
Dmytro Kalach, representative of Softorg, spoke about the participation of business in the development of professional training, in particular through the creation of training laboratories on the basis of educational institutions, support of competitions, as well as the involvement of companies as external partners in updating training programmes and strengthening the practical component of training future specialists.
The press conference was also attended by representatives of the organisers and partners, who noted that “Fashion PRORYV” is seen as a long-term platform that combines cultural diplomacy, social responsibility and economic potential of the light industry – through the support of talented youth, international collaborations and promotion of Ukrainian production.
“Fashion PRORYV” is an initiative that combines professional education, light industry and international partnerships. The platform includes contest programmes and presentations 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 grand finale of the VIII All-Ukrainian Professional Skills Competition “Fashion PRORYV for Freedom and Peace”, during which sports and adaptive clothing collections were presented and winners were awarded