With a Scent of Greece: The 5th Greek Fashion Show of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal in support of the Doveegene Project

 

With a Scent of Greece: The 5th Greek Fashion Show of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal in Support of the DOvEEgene Project

Photography by Harry Barba

The Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal hosted its 5th Greek Fashion Show on May 5, 2026, at the Palace Convention Center, where more than 400 guests gathered to celebrate the creativity of Greek fashion, the spirit of collective engagement, and the community’s commitment to advancing women’s health. The evening blended elegance, philanthropy, and cultural pride in a way that has become a hallmark of the Lyceum’s work.

Two distinguished designers representing contemporary Greek fashion took to the runway. Yiorgos Koulasidis from Thessaloniki presented his Resort Wear 2026 collection—an airy, sunlit line inspired by the Greek islands, with a color palette that carried the essence of the Aegean straight to the audience. Montreal‑based designer Fotis Papageorgiou showcased the Braham Collection, a modern, boho, unisex concept that particularly captivated younger attendees with its expressive and free‑spirited character.

One of the most moving moments of the evening was the appearance of five cancer survivors—Amalia Markakis, Francis Rondos, Marianna Bilota, Pota Georgitsos Adamidis, and Dimitri Platanitis—who walked the runway in an atmosphere of deep respect and warm applause. Guests bid generously on the outfits they wore, transforming the show into an act of solidarity and shared commitment in the fight against cancer.

Proceeds from the event support the DOvEEgene Project, a groundbreaking research initiative led by Dr. Lucy Gilbert at McGill University. Dr. Gilbert and her team are in the final stages of developing a molecular “Pap‑type” test for the early detection of ovarian and endometrial cancers. Although she acknowledged the bureaucratic hurdles delaying the test’s implementation, she expressed optimism that this life‑saving tool will soon become available to women everywhere.

On behalf of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation, Vice President Tarah Swartz congratulated the Lyceum for its steadfast contribution to women’s health and presented its president, Justine Frangouli Argyris, with an award recognizing her leadership and the Board’s ongoing support of the DOvEEgene Project.

In her remarks, Justine Frangouli Argyris spoke with deep emotion about losing her sister to ovarian cancer at the age of 42, emphasizing: “DOvEEgene is truly a life‑saving tool for women. We must embrace and support this preventive innovation so that no family experiences the loss mine did. I am proud that the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal showcases Greek designers while also supporting Dr. Lucy Gilbert in completing this vital research.”

The event was hosted by journalist and Concordia University professor Aphrodite Salas, with Kyriaki Chra Karalekas serving as Honorary Chair and Alexandra Kokkinos coordinating the fashion program. Greetings were delivered by the President of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, Vasilis Angelopoulos, while Consul General Nikos Karalekas highlighted the importance of promoting Greek fashion in Montreal and expressed hope that Greek designers will further strengthen their presence in North America.

Guests enjoyed a Mediterranean buffet, champagne, and post‑show trunk presentations that allowed them to view the designers’ creations up close. The atmosphere remained festive and warm, reflecting both cultural pride and community solidarity.

The 5th Greek Fashion Show reaffirmed the Lyceum’s role as a cultural and philanthropic pillar of Montreal’s Greek community, demonstrating that fashion can be both a celebration of beauty and tradition and a powerful vehicle for awareness, solidarity, and scientific progress. Makeup was done by Teny Sarkissian and her team, while hairstyling was created by Alex Michou and Eleni Tzoumba.