Born in the transit centres hosting migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the IOM-powered No Nation Fashion brand has landed on the runway at a high-profile event at New York Fashion Week.  

The creations of students from Ohio’s Kent State University, International Fashion Academy (IFA) Paris and IOM’s No Nation Fashion outfits inspired a true celebration of diversity, cultural exchange, creative cooperation and inclusion.  

Three No Nation Fashion (NNF) outfits presented in New York encapsulate the journey of migrants from the earliest nomad way of life, to resilience and ability to rebuild and adapt and finally inclusion through social and cultural integration at their destinations.  

The NNF collection was the product of the creative collaboration of migrants and Bosnian fashion industry and under the creative direction of Aleksandra Lovrić, a renowned national designer.

“The opportunity to present our graduates collection in New York during Fashion Week was the achievement of months of preparation”, reflected Jean-Baptiste Andreani, CEO of IFA Paris. “Beyond the event itself, I believe the collaboration between our three entities proved that sustainability is not just an abstract concept. Fashion is a powerful catalyst of change and  these collections illustrate how diversity and inclusivity can truly be championed through creative outlets”.
 

EU Ambassador to the UN Olof Skoog, his deputy Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, and Laura Lungarotti, IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina Chief of Mission attending the “KSU x IFA 2022 NYC Fashion Show” at Kent State School of Fashion.

No Nation Fashion brand was born out of a vision that migration can bring new opportunities for both migrants and host communities and its mission is creating more resilient and inclusive societies through fashion. It is the product of talented individuals who come from different parts of the world sharing their knowledge, skills and culture in creating something quite meaningful and enriching.

“We are very excited that No Nation Fashion brand made it all the way to New York - a city that is most famous for art, fashion as well as cultural diversity,” said Laura Lungarotti, IOM Chief of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “This reminds us that migration and inclusion of diversity can produce beauty and opportunities for all.”

Ann Walter, Director NYC Fashion, Kent State University noted " We were thrilled to show the work of our recent graduates in New York City for the first time in this special collaboration with IFA Paris, because a key goal of this project was to amplify the voices of people in the fashion industry who have been historically marginalized or underserved.  The opportunity to showcase the designs of NNF was a perfect fit, and this project allowed us to live these values”.

No Nation Fashion will continue on its journey, harnessing the benefits and opportunities of migration to shape global social and economic landscapes, one fashion garment at the time.

By: Sejla Keserovic