Association Donne for Peace brings Ukrainian refugee women together through fashion exhibition in Rome

 ROME - Tailoring and craft activities have given a new life to many Ukrainian refugee women who fled the war, brought together under the association “Donne for Peace” (Women for Peace).
In these three years, they have found a safe place, a job, a future in the Eternal City. “Who would have imagined we’d come this far,” said one woman emotionally, on Monday at Palazzo Valentini, during the opening of the exhibition “Beauty and Harmony to Inspire Peace.”

 “Beads are tiny scattered fragments, isolated visions that staggered in the dark,” recalled Volha Marozava, president of Donne for Peace and one of the founders of this artisanal startup.

 Step by step, Monday marked the first exhibition of this fashion startup created by Ukrainian women and artists. Their message is one of resilience and peace, extending well beyond their personal tragedy, “beyond the conflicts that threaten the survival of entire populations.”

 The exhibition, which can be visited for free until September 19 at the Metropolitan City of Rome headquarters on Via IV Novembre, features twelve white T-shirts, each embroidered by hand with twelve symbolic designs made from microbeads, crafted by Uriana Filitch.

 From the Kalyna (guelder rose) to the Apple of Eden, from the Eye to the Heart, to the Flamingo and the Sunflower, a symbol dear to Ukraine. The exhibition setup was curated by Camilla Bolfe and accompanied by photographs by Davide Valente. Also on display is the piece “Huh Me”, a barbed wire mask by artist Francesca Romana Pinzari.

 Among the partners who contributed is the European Chamber of Haute Couture CEDAS, chaired by Luigi Gallo, who announced his support for the initiative, which aligned with their mission to promote artisanal excellence, ethical fashion, and social inclusion by empowering emerging talents.

 “The Metropolitan City of Rome is proud to support initiatives like this,” said metropolitan councillors Mariano Angelucci and Tiziana Biolghini.

 Alongside these former refugees, now citizens of Rome, is a wide network of support, like open-armed embraces: the women who didn’t turn away from their message of peace.

 “Seeing this initiative thrive is a powerful sign of rebirth. Long live Ukraine!” said Maria Antonia Spartà, Deputy Police Commissioner.

 “When they arrived in Rome and we welcomed them in Spinaceto, these women were so numerous, so skilful with many qualifications, I'm happy to see this project grow,” said a visibly moved Patrizia De Vivo, President of the Social Policy Commission of Rome’s 9th Municipality.

 Words of encouragement also came from Valentina Fabbri (a hospitality expert), Simonetta Canneti (a director of an employment agency), and Anna Fusco (a model and entrepreneur), who has done much for Ukrainians who suffered amputations in the war.

 Also contributing to the startup’s development was Mattia Di Tommaso, President of IDEA Europa. The most recent addition to the team is Nayra Laise, a Brazilian fashion designer who has become an honorary member of Donne for Peace.

 Her message is one of care against emotional desolation, against the childhood shattered by bombs: “We won’t spare any energy for this project. Each one of us is a miracle, and each of us can contribute something to peace.”

rs