BRANKOPOPOVICBLOG: Young designers at FashionLIVE! Bratislava

Hana Prchalová

Third edition of FashionLIVE Slovak Fashion Week Initiative in Bratislava took place October 21-23 in Stará Tržnica, the former market building.
The three day event started each day with a collective show presenting young 'mostly' designers. On the last day designers from Ateliér Design Oděvu, UTB in Zlín (Czech Republic) had their show. I've been told that the Zlin academy is one of the strongest in the region which perhaps can be concluded after several strong collections. It is clear that the designers are trained how to build up a proper collection and how to design clothes and yet distinguish themselves with their design abilities. Such is the case for designer Hana Prchalová who took on denim. She managed to deliver a playful collection, focusing on enlargement of the traditional shapes and creating new volumes. Although we have seen many denim proposals in past years on the runways Hana managed to make it fresh. Vivien Babicova presented a nostalgic collection blending traditional influences perfectly with modernity. This is a great example of what can perhaps be Easter European aesthetic. The question remains how Eastern European countries will arise from the shadow of the west or rather when they will start to adore their heritage. Here and there we see designers trying to integrate this narrative in their collections such Tereza Otahalikova. Referencing to soviet symbolism in quite a literal way she presented a sense of drama. Tereza was part of the collective show SCI-FI SAFARI on the first day. In this show there where several exciting proposals by designers Andrea Pojezdálová, Petra Pitelková and Petra Kubíková who took home the award for the most promising young designers. She shows great potential both in creativity with her innovative approach to tailoring and commercially as a fashionable and accessible collection.
Designer Maroš Baran stood out with a performance, which was actually distracting the fact that the clothing was quite well designed.
On the second day Atelier 343 collective show featured several talented designers. Emma Klein kicked off with a collection inspired by Amalie Earhart, a character that seems to be an endless source of inspiration for designers. Terézia Šišková presented the most colorful and playful collection while Octavia McKenzie impressed with beautiful woollen coats.
The schedule contained one more show with young designers, the Signal Fresh Fashion Contest with three finalists. Designer Jan Černý presented a menswear collection that was in fact one of the highlights of this edition of FashionLIVE!

Overall it can be concluded that Slovakia is to be considered as a destination to discover emerging designers.

all images are by brankopopovicblog