Press release
A landmark celebration of cultural diversity, creativity and inclusion came to a close in Chisinau as the Diversity Fashion Show 2026 brought together designers, models, artisans, youth, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and community members from a wide range of cultural and national backgrounds.
Organized by founder Yerie Mary Kamara in partnership with ZIPHOUSE, Technical University of Moldova, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Republic of Moldova, the event transformed the runway into a vibrant platform where cultures connected through fashion, music, and artistic expression, reaffirming the value of inclusion, shared belonging and social cohesion.
The evening featured runway presentations showcasing designs inspired by diverse traditions and contemporary influences, reflecting the richness of multicultural communities and the creativity that emerges when people from different backgrounds come together. The event was attended by a distinguished representation of Government authorities and members of the diplomatic community in the Republic of Moldova.
This final event, part of the wider project to promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and social cohesion, marked the culmination of a series of community workshops, youth engagement activities, and creative collaborations carried out across Moldova in the months leading up to the show. Young participants from different cultural backgrounds worked with fabrics and materials provided through the initiative to create their own fashion pieces and artistic concepts, many of which were presented during the event.
“Diversity fashion show is more than a runway. It is a celebration of cultures, identities, and human connection, where fashion becomes a bridge uniting people from different background on one stage.” mentioned Yerie Mary Kamara, founder of Diversity Fashion Show.
“The Diversity Fashion Show 2026 showed how fashion can unite cultures and create meaningful dialogue between communities. A special part of this initiative was the involvement of UTM students, who created original collections using fabrics donated by Yerie Mary Kamara, proving how important it is to include young people in creative and international cultural projects that help develop their talent, confidence, and future opportunities”, said Carolina Tulgara, Executive Director, ZIPHOUSE Fashion Innovation Hub.
“What we are seeing today is about much more than fashion—it is about connection. Through colors, fabrics, and creativity, the Diversity Fashion Show brings people together and highlights the richness that diversity brings to Moldova. By creating spaces where different cultures, stories, and voices can meet, we strengthen mutual understanding and build more cohesive communities. This is what social cohesion looks like: people from different backgrounds coming together with a shared sense of belonging and humanity”, said Ester Ruiz de Azua, IOM Moldova Chief of Mission.
Now in its third edition, the Diversity Fashion Show traces its origins to the African Fashion Show for Charity, an initiative first established by Yerie Mary Kamara and introduced to Moldova in 2023. Since then, the project has developed into a growing platform that advances cultural diversity, women’s empowerment, and inclusion through creative expression.
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