Bulgarian folk costumes from the Rhodopes inspire young European designers

In the recently concluded first stage of the project, there were participants from Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Turkey, Kosovo and Albania.

There are three finalists selected by the jury chaired by Prof. Lubomir Stoykov.

Ilka Ahiu from Kosovo presented a collection with а Rhodope costume and felting as a technique. The Bulgarian designer Yordan Mihalev presented details of a Rhodope costume, but with a modern reading, and Jose Marie Sta Iglesia from the Netherlands was inspired by the decoration with braids and experimented with the shape of the costume.

The young designers who make it to the final will be funded for production, with the criteria being innovative and interesting presentation of the theme and potential for their collection to be produced and worn. In the coming months, professionals from Cumedia (Belgium), Echo Academy Smolyan and a micro-organization from their countries of their choice will work with them

In 2024, the three designers will present their finished collections to the public, for which they must produce the outfits of the required quality and prepare a strategy for their presentation. Based on these requirements, all three collections will receive awards and cash prizes.