Viktor Garbeshkov - the designer who caused a sensation at Eurovision 2026

Just hours before the charismatic DARA stepped onto the stage to open the second semi-final night of Eurovision 2026, Vienna was captivated by the Bulgarian performer’s striking appearance. DARA walked the official turquoise carpet of the song contest in an avant-garde outfit made of… hair.

DARA attracts attention at Eurovision 2026 with her talent and wild energy

Behind the impressive kukeri-inspired aesthetic of the performer of “Bangaranga” stands young Bulgarian designer Viktor Garbeshkov, whose roots trace back to the Bulgarian “City of Linden Trees” - Stara Zagora. In an interview with Bulgarian National Radio's regional station in Stara Zagora, he admitted he was surprised by the overwhelming public reaction:

“We knew we were creating something interesting and cool, but we didn’t expect so many people to understand it and almost recognize our references and appreciate them so deeply. Not only the Bulgarian audience, but the European audience as well,” Garbeshkov shared.

The idea for the modern interpretation of a kukeri (mummers) costume came earlier this year, when DARA said she wanted to transform into a “modern kuker (mummer)” for her upcoming projects.

“Her stylist, Ivan Tsutsumanov, called me because he knew I work with hair and have been creating furry garments for about a year and a half. He told me: ‘We have to make an explosion on that carpet and create something really cool.’ So we started with different versions and sketches until we reached this almost kukeri-like costume - but much shorter and with an elegant silhouette.”

Viktor Garbeshkov is one of those young and creative Bulgarians who naturally step into the role of bold visionaries, blending traditions, materials, and aesthetics. He discovered his calling when he began studying Fashion Design at the National High School of Applied Arts.

“It felt as if a curtain lifted, and I realized that fashion embodies everything that inspires me and everything I want to develop in. That’s exactly why I don’t just make clothes or take photos - I create an entire picture, an entire mini-universe. I believe clothes, accessories, makeup, hair, photography, lighting, and audio all contribute to making a project complete,” the young Bulgarian artist shared in an interview with the Bulgarian edition of Grazia magazine.

The year was 2023, and Viktor was only 18 years old, yet he was already attracting attention within the fashion community as a creator building his own small worlds through fashion.

Provocation is still part of his artistic identity today. While pursuing his dream and continuing his studies in Milan, Viktor managed to spark Eurovision fans’ interest not only in his creation, but also in DARA and the song “Bangaranga.” Working on the project turned into a real challenge, balancing university studies with preparations for Europe’s biggest music stage.

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“It’s difficult to combine everything. Work outside the university interferes with university, and university interferes with work. But with time, you find balance. Even when I was still in high school, I worked with DARA and other artists in Bulgaria and abroad.”

The designer admits that the truly emotional moment came shortly before the event itself, when he had to personally deliver the dress to Vienna after weeks of nonstop work on the piece:

“Initially, the plan was just to send the dress to Sofia, and then it would travel with her to Vienna. But the process turned out to be much more complicated. I finished the dress two days before the event and had to personally bring it over. That’s when I thought to myself: ‘My God, what am I even doing here?’”

And if you also liked DARA and can’t stop repeating the chorus of “Bangaranga” - support her on the Eurovision final on May 16.

Bulgaria’s DARA reaches Eurovision final with a fiery “Bangaranga”

Edited by E. Karkalanova
English: R. Petkova