Dreams Come True: Talented Ukrainian Children Showcase Their Work in Milan

Talented Ukrainian children who create clothing designs were able to showcase their work in Milan, according to Victoria Syumar, a member of parliament from the European Solidarity faction, who shared this information on social media . The trip was organized with the support of Petro Poroshenko after a Ukrainian woman approached the deputies during their trip to Italy.

“Remember how Iryna Gerashchenko and I’s trip to the Open Dialogue EU MEPs conference was called ‘shopping’ by the Telegram dumpster fires? Well, sometimes ‘shopping’ looks like that. Just before the conference, we met with Ukrainian women in Italy. We discussed their problems, from children to pensions. Upon our return, we actually resolved some specific issues, including pension calculations and teacher work experience. It’s just dry bureaucracy, but behind it are people’s lives,” Victoria Syumar notes.

“But there was another story that was important to me. A woman from Vinnytsia approached me. She works with design schools where children learn to be fashion designers. And she said, ‘We dream of showing their work in Milan. We have agreements here. We just need to bring the children,’” Syumar said.

“We took it on. Thanks to Petro Poroshenko’s support, a transfer was organized. And now we have Ukrainian children on the stage at Milano Fashion Week 2026. Their dresses aren’t just about Ukrainian colors or style. Part of the collection was created for people with disabilities. Russia’s war against Ukraine has made this a sensitive topic for thousands of families. And it was Ukrainian teenagers who decided to address this issue at the center of European fashion,” the MP notes.

“The children from Vinnytsia got their own stage in Milan. They saw Budapest. They stepped into the spotlight. And along with beauty, they brought the truth about the war to this stage,” writes Syumar.

“Sometimes diplomacy isn’t just about protocols and behind-the-scenes talk. Sometimes it’s about talented Ukrainian children who believe in their dreams. Sometimes it’s a response to cynicism in the media. It’s great when Ukrainian women abroad promote Ukraine in places where they’re forced to live because of war. It’s great when they support those who remain at home. It’s stories like these that build a country’s strength. Not a telegram. But our shared actions and solidarity,” concludes Victoria Syumar.