Beyond The Crown

Some events end the moment the applause fades. Others stay with you long after the audience has left the room. For me, the evening of July 11 at Oodi Library in Helsinki was one of those moments. That evening, 23 women from across Europe stepped onto the stage. Each brought her own profession, her own story, and her own journey. They came from different countries and different backgrounds, but they all shared something far more important. They were genuine women, each carrying her own strength, hopes, and dreams. Women who decided to stop putting their lives on hold and simply asked themselves: “Why not?” From the audience, it looked like a beautiful evening filled with elegant gowns, music, graceful walks, and applause. But for me, the most meaningful part of the story happened backstage. This year, I was there in two roles: as Editor-in-Chief of THE ISSUE N° and as the runway director. That gave me the opportunity to witness everything the audience never sees.

Twenty-three women. Twenty-three stories. One shared decision: “Why not?”

There wasn’t much time to prepare, and everyone was understandably nervous. Every participant wanted to step onto that stage with confidence. My role was to choreograph the runway and help the contestants feel comfortable before their moment arrived. Yet what stayed with me most wasn’t the preparation itself. It was the atmosphere backstage. There was no sense of rivalry. Instead, I watched women quietly supporting one another. Someone adjusted a dress. Someone offered a reassuring hug before stepping onto the stage. Someone whispered a few simple words that meant far more than they probably realized. I watched them in those final moments before their entrance—the nervous glances, the last adjustments, the deep breath before taking that first step toward the audience. In moments like these, knowing that someone believes in you can make all the difference. I hoped I could be that person for them.

Sometimes, a few sincere words are enough to quiet self-doubt. And if even one woman walked onto that stage feeling a little calmer and a little more confident, then my role that evening truly mattered. When the show began, the audience saw elegance and beauty. I saw something different. I knew how much vulnerability, uncertainty, and courage stood behind every single step. Watching everything unfold from behind the curtain, I realized that for many of these women, this evening was never just about a pageant. It was about themselves. For many, it was a step they had postponed for years—a quiet dream they had finally given themselves permission to pursue. Perhaps that’s why, once the evening was over, I wasn’t thinking about crowns or titles. I was thinking about the women. The women who chose to step beyond the life they had always known. The women who finally allowed themselves to pursue a dream they had quietly carried for years. The women who went home believing in themselves just a little more than they had before they arrived. These are the stories I want to tell through THE ISSUE N°. Because true beauty doesn’t begin the moment a crown is placed on a woman’s head. It begins much earlier—the moment she stops waiting for the perfect time, chooses to let go of self-doubt, and takes the first step toward herself.

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Author’s Note

To every woman who shared this day with us—thank you. Thank you for your trust, your openness, and for allowing me to be part of your journey. It was an honor to stand beside you, encourage you before you stepped onto the stage, and watch confidence slowly replace uncertainty. I hope this day stays with you long after the photographs have been put away—not because of the competition itself, but because of what it reminded you about your own strength. Thank you for allowing me to become part of your story.

Sofia Solas

Editor-in-Chief, THE ISSUE N°