Marking the 70th anniversary of its work, the International Organisation for Migrations (IOM) organised a fashion show at the Sarajevo City Hall, involving migrants as designers but also as models.

The show titled ‘Story About Us’ presented the fashion brand No Nation Fashion, created at the temporary reception centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The brand's first collection represents the migrants’ developmental direction and road to their final destination, which mirrors in social and cultural integration.

What a show! Congratulations to @iombih for bringing together migrants in BiH with Bosnian designers creating magic 🌟🌟 and @eubih for supporting! Cannot think of a more suitable way to celebrate IOM 70 years. #nonationfashion #bih @llungarotti @josattler pic.twitter.com/JQhPll6eIs

— Ambassador of Sweden to Bosnia and Herzegovina (@jostromquist) December 16, 2021

The idea originated in the European Union project ‘Response to COVID-19 and Challenges for Migrants and Refugees in the Western Balkans’, in the temporary reception centers Blažuj, Ušivak and Miral, which are home to small sewing corners that the IOM designed to help migrants develop sewing skills, improve their knowledge and experience in creating, as well as to redesign their clothes and sew protective masks, transformed into fashion studios.

Fashion corners soon became a gathering place for creative people who have a sense of fashion design, a desire to show their talents and learn about other cultures and differences.

Proud because they provoked media attention and positive reactions, they wanted to make even more. With the support of members of the local community, creatives and experts of various profiles, local fashion brands and designers, artists, craftsmen, schools, companies and the private sector, media and volunteers, No Nation Fashion emerged as a brand of these fashion corners.

The fashion brand is based on cultural exchange, creative cooperation and mutual learning as a way to strengthen and promote social integration of migrants, and understanding between migrants and the local community, using the medium of fashion expression of different cultures.

Laura Lungarotti, the Head of the IOM Mission to BiH announced the new plan of expanding the project through partnership with other designers, companies and organizations, and greater involvement of local communities.

Danial took this 📸 of Melina from Kabul, Afghanistan.

“My family and I are 4 months en route to safety. I want to be an independent person, to continue my studies and to prosper in my life.”

Danial from Iran joined #DispatchesInExile media workshops 📸 in transit centres in 🇧🇦 pic.twitter.com/GcwDrq0jPY

— IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina (@iombih) December 13, 2021

Ingrid Macdonald, the UN Resident Coordinator in BiH, commented on the contribution of migrants to the development of their countries of origin with this project.

“Migrants have great potential for both countries of origin and countries of destination. This potential can only bear fruit if societies and institutions offer them opportunities and means to express their talent, skills and commitment. Let this International Migrants Day remind us of the need to protect the security, dignity and human rights of migrants, regardless of their migratory status,” she said.

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According to Aleksandra Lovric, fashion designer and IOM coordinator of fashion studies, the collection presented at the show depicts the developmental direction and path of people on the move from homes and transit to their final destination, which is reflected in social and cultural integration.

“This is a story that is both current and timeless. For me, this is much more than a fashion show. I am going through the most challenging artistic journey in my career, on the path of my personal metamorphosis that restored my strength, hope and sleep. The migrants left behind almost everything they owned, but did not come empty-handed. They gave us inspiration for a new brand, No Nation Fashion, which we presented at the show,” stressed Lovric.

The event was attended by numerous ambassadors, representatives of UN agencies, senior officials, friends and partners of the IOM, and a large number of media representatives.