Former Miss Montenegro and owner of the "AR Scouting" agency Nataša Milosavljević Šćepanović has been a regular guest at the Grabovac Nursing Home in Risan for many years, and in 2019, after talking to the users of the institution, who often asked her what it felt like to participate in fashion shows, she came up with the idea of allowing them to experience the runway, the audience, and the spotlight for themselves.
This is how the event “Fashion Night in Grabovac” was born, which has been held every year since then, and in which the residents of the Nursing Home, in models specially tailored for them, walk down the catwalk in front of guests. The event is traditionally completed by musicians, who are chosen precisely according to the wishes of the residents of the Nursing Home.
As announced on the institution's website, this year's seventh Fashion Night will be held on September 6th.
"We are pleased to announce the seventh event in a row 'Fashion Night in Grabovac'. September 27th is reserved for a fashion show, the main stars of which will be XNUMX of our beneficiaries. A total of nine models are beneficiaries of our Community Living Support Service. Especially for them, the creations are designed by one of our beneficiaries, Ms. Ljuba Šljuka, with the help of Ms. Dubravka Milivojević Ivanović," it was announced on the website of the Grabovac Nursing Home.
"The other models will walk the runway in creations by the aforementioned designers, hired by our project associate, Nataša Milosavljević Šćepanović. After the show, the musical star of the evening, Mr. Dejan Matić, will perform with his band at the 'Grabovac' coffee bar. We are announcing many more surprises throughout the evening!", the statement added.
Milosavljević Šćepanović spoke to "Vijesti" about more details about the organization itself, the fashion designers participating in the event this year, and other accompanying programs.
"This year, 'Fashion Night in Grabovac' will be held on September 6th, starting at 19.30:XNUMX p.m. As every year, the runway will feature both male and female models, that is, users of the Grabovac Nursing Home in Risan. Eight ladies will appear in creations by Montenegrin designers (Milena Vujačić, Bojana Čelebić, Radojka Tepavac, Lidija Burić, Maja Pavićević, Nada Pavlović, Anastazija Miranović and Sanja Bobar), ten male models with garments that were carefully selected for them, and nine female users in garments by Mrs. Ljuba Šljuka, a user of the community-based living support service who is preparing a collection especially for the occasion," explained the interviewee of "Vijesti".
As she said, this year it took her only a few days to compile a list of designers who would participate in creating the models that the residents of the nursing home would wear.
"This year it was easy to hire designers. Given that it is known that the event is held at a time when there are still holidays, then wedding season, fashion events in which designers already have participation scheduled up to a year in advance. It is difficult for them to accept another business offer, especially a human one, and you want to be up to the task and fulfill the wishes of the users. So this year more of them are part of this event and therefore fewer clothing creations need to be prepared," points out Milosavljević Šćepanović.
"Some designers with two, some with three, and some with one model, depending on the possibilities... I must emphasize that I have designers who have already participated, but they were happy to come forward this year to make someone happy again, and I am infinitely grateful for that," she adds.
"Of course, I'm sorry that the designers who participated when my idea was taken over last year and the fashion show was organized as part of the Senior Fest in Podgorica, did not respond to my invitation now, but there will be an opportunity, I believe. I am here and they can freely contact me when they want to be part of this event," says the former Miss Montenegro.
When asked if there is a designer she would like to include in the "Fashion Night in Grabovac" project, but has not been able to do so yet, she answers in the affirmative.
"There is. It's Verica Rakočević. Not because I wanted it, although I really appreciate her and love her work, but because the users know about her, they mentioned her, some of them followed her faithfully in their youth... Last time we didn't manage to coordinate the date, but I believe that the next 'Fashion Night in Grabovac' will be in the name of the fashion magician," she said.
Meanwhile, the designers who have been announced as participants in this year's event are already preparing models for the beneficiaries of the Risan Nursing Home.
"All designers received measurements, pictures and wishes of the users, of course in accordance with their capabilities to fulfill them. I believe that some have already started working, because I know them and I know how seriously they take this event, but most importantly how important it is to them that their clients are satisfied," Milosavljević Šćepanović is certain, and she also reveals how many models the announced fashion designers will prepare.
"The designers will present eight models, of which I must highlight Bojana Čelebić, Lidija Burić, Sanja Bobar, Milena Vujačić, Radojka Tepavac, as well as Maja Pavićević and Nada Pavlović, who have participated in previous years, with one model each, while Anastazija Miranović will present two creations," she points out, taking the opportunity to announce the accompanying program.
"This year, the management of the 'Dom starog Grabovac' was in charge of the musical guest and I found out a few days ago that it would be Dejan Matić. And a nice choice I must say and the users will be delighted, that's for sure. I will have to learn the repertoire, although maybe I already know some hits when I hear them. Jelena Božović will also appear on stage and brighten the night with wonderful poetry," said Milosavljević Šćepanović.
She also takes the opportunity to mention the nursing home resident Ljuba Šljuka, who, like last year, will participate as a fashion designer.
"A total of nine models are beneficiaries of the Community Living Support Service. Especially for them, the creations are designed by one of the beneficiaries of the Day Center, Ms. Ljuba Šljuka, with the help of Ms. Dubravka Milivojević Ivanović. Last year, she made her debut and received numerous compliments, and this year there will certainly be no shortage of compliments," says Milosavljević Šćepanović.
"In addition to all of the aforementioned, Farmasi will be responsible for the makeup of the residents of the Nursing Home, and Sunflower, the nursing home's hair salon, will be responsible for the hairstyles," the interviewee of "Vijesti" pointed out.
Bonus video:
