Emotion, inspiration, triumph! These are the words that best describe last night’s fashion show VICTORIOUS, dedicated to women who are battling or have overcome breast cancer. The event, organised by the WMG Foundation under the auspices of its Prevention as a Guarantee project, united fashion and resilience, while sending out an important message.
"Tonight’s show is special in many ways. Not only models walk on our runway. Brave women who have faced a breast cancer diagnosis and emerged from that battle as true winners are walking down it too.
Their strength, perseverance, and faith in life took on shape and colour through unique fashion creations, specially designed for them by our talented designers. This show is filled with symbolism and carries a message that should reach every woman: the WINNERS are among us, because breast cancer is curable if detected in time. Regular preventive check-ups save lives," said Irena Petrović, director of the WMG Foundation, in her opening speech. She added that this show was a call for all of us to offer support – to extend a hand, to encourage, and to ensure that no woman feels alone in her struggle.
Then the brave women took to the runway: Maja Kaličanin, Ivanka Divković Miletić, Aleksandra Stajić, Marija Tabaković, and Marija Dujić. For each of them, five designers created garments inspired by their personal stories and battles.
For Maja Kaličanin, the dress was designed by Jelena Buha of the Helena Scrittore brand, who revealed that she found inspiration in Maja’s wisdom - both in how she faced reality and in how she now looks back on it.
Designer Nemanja Pantelić interpreted Ivanka Divković Miletić’s struggle through the contrast of wide grey trousers, symbolising freedom and comfort, and an asymmetrical, hand-painted shirt that reflects the unpredictable course of her battle.
Designer Milica Matejić, representing the brand Felicita, found her inspiration for the creation in the sincere smile of Aleksandra Stajić, which she says conveys that we can face every challenge with determination and strength.
Designer Maja Dimitrijević expressed the strength of Marija Tabaković through the touch of silk and light. The dress, made of shantung silk with a soft movement and quiet elegance, gently flares out like a breath of freedom.
Fashion designer Predrag Djuknić celebrated the beauty of womanhood through the elegance of line and subtlety of movement. Each line and weave of fabric testified to the victory, tenderness, and perseverance shown by Marija Dujić.
The show was attended by numerous distinguished guests from the diplomatic corps. Among those present were His Excellency Edward Ferguson, British Ambassador to Serbia; Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia; Her Excellency Anne Lugon-Moulin, Swiss Ambassador to Serbia; Her Excellency Kristin Melsom, Norwegian Ambassador; and Andrea Pavukova, President of the International Women’s Club.
Also in attendance were representatives from AstraZeneca, a partner in this project, as well as the management of Wireless Media Group and the WMG Foundation.
"At AstraZeneca, we deeply believe that every woman deserves a timely diagnosis, modern treatment, and a life free from the fear of breast cancer. We are proud to be part of this initiative, which brings together the media, healthcare institutions, patient associations, and doctors with a shared goal – to improve treatment outcomes in Serbia. Our commitment to innovation is not only scientific but profoundly human, because we believe that together we can help more women win this fight," said Aleksandar Tripković, Director of AstraZeneca Serbia.
The event was also supported by doctors from the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia (IORS) and representatives from the Oncology Clinic in Niš. The fashion show was attended by guests from non-governmental organisations, members of the Milica Women’s Centre, as well as the families of the Winners.
The most important feeling, the one we carried away from the show and that continues to empower, is this – that no one is alone.
The Winners fashion show was an opportunity to feel that we are united in this fight, standing alongside women facing this illness – together with the state, doctors, the media, and families.
(EUpravo zato)
