{"id":9641,"date":"2025-10-25T23:50:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T15:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wise-mag.com\/?p=9641"},"modified":"2025-10-26T01:55:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T17:55:02","slug":"fashion-fights-cancer-in-pink-october","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wise-mag.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/25\/fashion-fights-cancer-in-pink-october\/","title":{"rendered":"FASHION FIGHTS CANCER IN PINK OCTOBER"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leslie Variyan, the Malaysian fashion designer and creative director of the label VARIANTE<\/strong>, is a staunch supporter of breast cancer awareness, especially during Pink October<\/strong>. For over a decade, Variyan and the brand have actively collaborated with organizations like Pink Unity<\/strong>, a women-led focus group for cancer survivors under the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Raising Awareness with icons. The amazing ladies are wearing outfits from VARIANTE’s Pink October Capsule Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During Pink October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), VARIANTE often launches exclusive collections, with a portion of the proceeds from the sales being donated to the cause. The initiatives are driven by Leslie Variyan’s strong belief in giving back to society, particularly since he has lost family members to cancer. His efforts aim to raise funds, increase public awareness about the disease, and provide emotional and financial support to cancer fighters and survivors, ensuring they know there is life and hope after a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Leslie Variyan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This year, VARIANTE and Pink Unity continue their meaningful journey with a brand-new celebration under the banner of Fashion Fights Cancer! Recently they brought us Retro Coffee Rave \u2014 an afternoon of music, style, and solidarity in support of cancer survivors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A group picture during the Retro Coffee Rave event<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Held at Lisette\u2019s Caf\u00e9 & Bakery in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, attendees stepped into a nostalgic atmosphere where fashion met rhythm and purpose. Guests enjoyed a Live DJ Party by Shawn Zod. There was a throwback soundtrack featuring ABBA, Whitney Houston, and 80s\/90s favourites. There were collaborations with Bravo Eventz, Aurea Skincare & Jols Luxe.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Live DJ Party by Shawn Zod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Pink October Capsule Collection is fabulous and the designs will surely appeal to many. The colour pink is well-loved and it’s also a symbol of hope for those suffering from breast cancer. Creations at VARIANTE bring out the best in women without clouding their natural femininity and project a style that is unique yet recognizable because it is strong, gentle, and alluring; in other words, everything a woman should be.<\/p>\n\n\n

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(From left) Zam Zailani, Jimmy Ong, Noryn Aziz and Leslie Variyan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This October, VARIANTE is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month once again by donating a portion of their sales to Pink Unity. Shop with them to support breast cancer fighters and survivors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 Fashion Fights Cancer campaign goes beyond the runway. VARIANTE and Pink Unity brought together a powerful group of icons from diverse industries for a special photoshoot, aimed at amplifying awareness and celebrating strength in unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The campaign features Eryna Su \u2013 Co-founder of Idea Company & Executive Director of JustGood Group; Dr. S. Prasannah \u2013 Emergency & Trauma, Kuala Lumpur General Hospital; Alana Dunsmore \u2013 Content Creator & Founder of Goldies Scottish Premium Sweets; Mahani Kassim \u2013 President of Pink Unity; Leslie Variyan \u2013 Fashion Designer & Creative Director of VARIANTE; Lena Abdullah \u2013 Ex-President of Pink Unity (2013\u20132022) and Noryn Aziz \u2013 Singer \/ Celebrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of them stands as a symbol of resilience and empowerment, lending their voices and presence to remind society that fashion can also be a platform of hope and solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Legacy of Strength and Style<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fashion Fights Cancer initiative began on 6th July 2013, when Leslie Variyan, the creative force behind VARIANTE, joined hands with Pink Unity \u2014 a body under the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) \u2014 to champion cancer survivors through fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mahani Kassim – President of Pink Unity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Pink Unity operates on the principle \u201cBy survivors, for survivors\u201d, providing socio-emotional support for women living with cancer through sporting, recreational, educational, and support-based activities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Lena Abdullah \u2013 Ex-President of Pink Unity (2013\u20132022)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

At its heart, Fashion Fights Cancer has always been about more than fashion. It\u2019s about celebrating resilience. As Leslie Variyan once shared: \u201cI always talk about how I want a woman to feel strong, and alive in my clothes, but at The end of the day, a woman needs to feel strong and alive within herself. The message behind Pink Unity is one to be celebrated \u2014 showing that it is okay to fight back and stand proud about overcoming obstacles\u2026 and if they do so in VARIANTE, then all the better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFashion Fights Cancer\u201d 2025 – Q&A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did VARIANTE choose the ladies? Did they have to meet certain criteria?<\/strong><\/em>
We wanted a group of women who embody strength, individuality, and influence in their own fields. They did not have to meet rigid criteria, but rather represent different walks of life \u2014 from healthcare to entrepreneurship, from fashion to entertainment, from leadership within Pink Unity itself. Each of them has a voice and story that could inspire others.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Eryna Su<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Please share a bit more about the ladies involved.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n