LONDON — June 3, 2026 — The House of Commons of the UK Parliament hosted the annual Parliamentary Society Assembly, dedicated to the future of creative industries. This year, the prestigious international distinction — the Parliamentary Society Medal — was awarded to Ukrainian entrepreneur Karina Dubinina, founder of the BACKSTAGE beauty salon network. The British community recognized her contribution to the development of the creative sector, female leadership, and the successful scaling of a Ukrainian business into the highly competitive London market.
The Parliamentary Society Assembly traditionally brings together political leaders, government officials, international figures, entrepreneurs, and artists. This year, the discussions at the Palace of Westminster focused on safety, dignity, empowerment, and systemic changes within the fashion, beauty, media, and culture sectors.
The award presented to Karina Dubinina set a precedent for the domestic beauty sector, marking the beauty industry’s transition into the category of influential creative businesses on the international stage. British experts highlighted the Ukrainian brand’s ability to not only maintain leadership in the domestic market amidst crises but also to successfully export a unique business model abroad.
“This award in the House of Commons is not just about me. It is about the entire Ukrainian team, the entrepreneurs, and the people who, even in the most challenging times, continue to work, create, and believe in Ukraine,” comments Karina Dubinina. “It is especially valuable that the theme of this year’s Assembly — dignity and human-centricity — aligns closely with the values upon which we built BACKSTAGE: caring for people, creating a safe space, and providing opportunities for growth.”
The brand’s founder also emphasized that international recognition is the result of many years of hard work:
«Over 15 years of working in the beauty industry, I have become convinced that Ukrainian service is capable of competing with the best in the world. It is a great honor for me to represent our creative industries in London and to see them appreciated at such a level. I am grateful to the BACKSTAGE team, which maintains this standard of service and quality every day — both in Kyiv and in London.”
The ceremony presenting the Parliamentary Society Medal solidified BACKSTAGE’s status as a notable player on the international stage, while Karina’s personal story became a powerful case study for Ukraine’s cultural and business diplomacy in the world. For Ukraine, this marks a step toward economic integration into the Western world through the creative economy. It stands as proof that our business is about expansion, high standards, and intellectual leadership.