When the editors of fashionmag42 (which by the way are also the designers behind Sisters Code by SBC ) asked if I wanted to join them at Belgrade Fashion Week I was really excited. I had never been to Belgrade and I didn’t even know they had a fashion week.
After doing some research I discovered that it has been around since 1996 and is also known as the “The First Fashion Week in Eastern Europe.” So how about that! The learning never ends.
I asked my fashion-loving friend Ilze to join me on the journey and together we excitedly picked out our outfits the weeks before. I was really curious to see the difference between the fashion weeks in Paris and Belgrade.
Unlike Paris, where each designer show is featured in different venues at different times, Belgrade chose the Crowne Plaza as their main venue for most shows. All shows usually began at 7pm and the collections from the different designers were shown one after another with a break in between. A break in which everyone headed to the lobby for champagne and entertainment. The whole experience felt like a party where everyone was invited. Although tickets were limited for the actual shows, I noticed a nice mix of attendees including some very stylish children. This mix of people made the whole experience feel more personal and unique. A difference compared to my experience in Paris where it felt less personal. This different way of doing things was further reflected through the unique and artistic collections coming down the runway. You can have a look for yourself here.
I have developed an immense respect towards any designer choosing to play in the same field as the well-established designers. One has to remember that most “young” designers do not receive the financial backing that big fashion brands like the ones owned by Kering Group do. It is this bravery and determination that each designer shows when sharing their art with the world – no matter the circumstances – that I find admirable.
It reminds me that it doesn’t matter if there are already 100 versions of your idea, or if you don’t have any supporters starting out, if you’ve got a dream and a passion, than you’ve got to go for it.
The same goes for all the cities that host their own fashion weeks. Although, these smaller fashion shows don’t receive the attention the bigger ones do – they should not be ignored. There is great talent to be discovered in places we didn’t even know existed.
On a more personal note: I was really ill with the flu during my entire stay in Belgrade. I had high fever and my body felt like it had unwillingly participated in the Running of the Bulls in Spain and got ran over by all of them. For this reason my Belgrade Fashion Week experience may not reflect it’s full glory, therefore, I share with you below my favourite BFW looks.
You can also check out my personal BFW picture diary here.
[…] When the editors of fashionmag42 (which by the way are also the designers behind Sisters Code by SBC ) asked if I wanted to join them at Belgrade Fashion Week I was really excited. I had never been to Belgrade and I didn’t even know they had a fashion week. After doing some research I discovered that it has been around since 1996 and is also known as the “The First Fashion Week in Eastern Europe.” So how about that! The learning never ends. I asked my fashion-loving friend Ilze to join me on the journey and together we excitedly picked out our outfits the weeks before. I was really curious to see the difference between the fashion weeks in Paris and Belgrade. Read more >> […]