Belarus Fashion Week concludes with the Fashion AIDS Line show
30 May 2017
30 May 201730 May 2017
The Belarus Fashion Week, held in Minsk, Belarus, concluded with the
The Belarus Fashion Week, held in Minsk, Belarus, concluded with the Fashion AIDS Line show on 14 May. A competition for young designers established by the organizers of Belarus Fashion Week and the UNAIDS Belarus Country Office, Fashion AIDS Line promotes support for people living with and affected by HIV and eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
More than 20 of the country’s leading designers presented their work, inspired by the international symbol of the AIDS response—the red ribbon. All the models appeared in masks to symbolize the stigma faced by people living with HIV.
The award for the most original mask was won by Tanya Tur, while the award for the best performance was won by Tatiana Efremova. Ekaterina Kabanova was presented with the award for the best ethno-style designer, Igor Pletnev won the best idea award and Ekaterina Tikota won for “unity with UNAIDS”.
Historia Naturalis, Davidova and ScapegoaT_404 won the top prizes and will represent Belarus at the final Fashion AIDS Line show, to be held in Moscow, Russian Federation, in April 2018 at the VI Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference.
Quotes
“Fashion AIDS Line is a new approach to drawing attention to HIV in Belarus.”
Vera IlyenkovaUNAIDS Country Manager, Belarus
“Unfortunately, we are still campaigning for the rights of people living with HIV. Our models came out in masks. The fear of stigma and discrimination prevents many people getting tested for HIV. Therefore, our slogan is “Knowing your HIV status is fashionable!”
Svetlana BorovskayaUNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Belarus
