LUkraine asbl hosted an exclusive fashion show at its premises in Luxembourg-Kirchberg, featuring the designs of Ukrainian designer Elvira Gasanova as part of its broader “Ukraine is calling” fundraising campaign. The invitation-only event drew around 50 guests from the local and international communities, beginning with a networking reception accompanied by drinks and finger food. In his opening remarks, LUkraine asbl President Nicolas Zharov emphasized that while the organization’s core mission remains humanitarian aid for Ukraine, the event aimed to highlight the country’s often overlooked fashion creativity. He also called for support for the ongoing campaign, which seeks to raise €10 million nationally to purchase 112 ambulances for Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and State Emergency Service.
Event coordinator Kateryna Zaitseva introduced designer Elvira Gasanova, founder of the GASANOVA brand, whose crystal dresses and statement suits were recently showcased at Brussels Fashion Week. Though unable to attend in person, Gasanova sent her collection from Brussels and shared a video message endorsing the fundraiser and underscoring the urgent need to support Ukrainian medics and firefighters. The evening also served to launch the Luxembourg Art & Fashion Foundation (LAFF), a new initiative co-founded by Zaitseva and committee member Marianna Pogosova. The GASANOVA show was announced as the first in a series of LAFF events aimed at nurturing Luxembourg’s creative industry, with future plans including fashion showcases and youth workshops. The event culminated in a runway presentation where models, including several Ukrainian refugees now living in Luxembourg, showcased Gasanova’s designs—all available for purchase via LAFF’s Instagram. The show closed symbolically with a modernized white Vyshyvanka dress, representing hope amid ongoing hardship.
