During the fashion-centric week, several talks were held alongside runway shows to raise awareness about critical issues, including the violence that women from all backgrounds continue to endure.
In a powerful collaboration, the Association d’Aide aux Victimes d’Infractions Pénales (AVIP) and Monte-Carlo Fashion Week (MCFW) presented The Tower of Appearances to the public and press at a conference at the Yacht Club.
This two-sided installation features 18 meticulously dressed, cheerful Barbie dolls on one side, contrasting with 17 damaged dolls and a red bench symbolizing solidarity with victims and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) on the other.
The empty bench represents Mara, a victim who lost her life at the hands of her former partner in Italy. Her sister, Vera Facchetti, shared her personal story for the first time in front of an audience. It was an emotional moment during the conference, as Vera recounted Mara's tragic tale, joined by Valérie Campora-Lucas, AVIP Managing Director, and Federica Nardoni-Spinetta, President and Founder of MCFW and the Monegasque Fashion Chamber.
Each Barbie doll was created to give voice to the victims and shed light on the different forms of physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal violence that women still face today.
On the side of the tower, a QR code links to the poignant testimonies of the artists behind each doll, providing deeper insights into their personal motivations and the stories they sought to tell.
