They already proved national, and have been on the international market in the recent years, however considering fashion’s recent obsession with Eastern Europe, it’s not too much of a surprise that Budapest is developing itself as the next big exporter of must-have designs.

Cover photo: Je suis Belle AW 2018/19 at the BCEFW / BCEFW press

"Just before the first weekend of Coachella began, the Budapest-based fashion line Nanushka opened an L.A. pop-up shop that attracted almost every major fashion blogger under the sun. A few weeks prior, The New York Times published a “48 Hours in Budapest” article. At the same time, Hungarian ingredients seem to be manifesting in beauty brands that couldn’t be less related—Peter Thomas Rothand Belif have both recently released products that claim to use Hungarian Thermal Water at Sephora." - The Observer announced this thesis recently in their Why These Budapest Brads are Fashion and Beauty's New Darlings article.

This year the Budapest Central European Fashion Week (BCEFW) was the first step towards making Budapest the regional fashion center of Central Europe. The event, formerly known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Central Europe in the care of Design Terminal has been funding and organising Gombold újra! Central Europe competition for seven times. The aim of the competition, launched in 2011, was to strengthen the regional cooperation as well as supporting emerging Central European designers to get a chance to showcase their collections to an international audience in the final show. Not only the international press has been present to spread the news and feature several Hungarian designers, but thanks to the successful 2-year partnership between Mercedes-Benz Hungary and Design Terminal, more than sixty designers could showcase their collections on this quality platform that is now part of the international fashion week calendar.

Here is our brief introduction to the designers we adore, you must book a visit to their showroom as each piece would be a must-have and adds a unique touch to your wardrobe!

ÁERON has been selling its collection in department stores around the world such as Barneys New York in Tokyo and AÏSHTI in Lebanon. Every collection focuses on reinventing traditional tailoring technics while only using finest materials such as distinctive suede Japanese leather that has become their signature fabric. The difficult balance of creating one artful package, where work and play harmonizes together, forms the minimal yet feminine sensuality of a decade-defining ÁERON look: a rich variety of high-waist tailored pants, asymmetrical coats, oversize sweaters, and minimalistic dresses. 

Anna Daubner is a label based on a contemporary female concept. One of the biggest successes of the label until now was that its designer was shortlisted among the best 50 applicants at the Muuse x Vogue Young Talents competition - the only Hungarian designer to receive the honor. The Budapest-based label reflects a sense of ethereal grace combined with the courage of playfulness. By creating stories with the language of colours and materials selected meaningfully Anna Daubner offers effortless, wearable garments. Thanks to the special cuts and lines each collection can be recognized as genuine.

Nanushka is designed by Szandra Sandor, as a niche contemporary women's wear brand it is driven by the desire to build a bridge between intuitive and functional design, the modern, versatile wardrobe staples work from day to evening. The SS 2018 collection embodies the season’s muse, Lisa Bonet from the late 80’s movie Angel Heart. Lisa’s spiritual, earthy character is reminiscent of  the brand's own loving relationship with nature. 

Je Suis Belle was founded back in 2005. Since then the brand has become one of Hungary's leading fashion house as well as an internationally recognized label. Their concept is (and was from the very beginning) constantly collaborating with various branches of art especially with visual arts. They consider traditional techniques and giving contemporary frame to folk art as two of their main intellectual values. They develop every collections using a complex system of references: the pieces always reflect current social and cultural changes. Constancy of quality is a core value, the clothes lack unnecessary details: they are straightforward and communicative. The brand's philosophy is that fashion is not a priviledge but a fundamental part of everyday life, beyond comfort and wearability it's an important tool for building one's uniqueness.  

Dora Abodi loves to create painfully beautful things. Through its unique creativity and ultra-contemporary style, the brand rapidly seduced demanding international fashion customers. ABODI’s signature style can be defined as baroque futurism; fusing ancient and futurism, opulence mixed with rigid, robotic technology creates a new religion. The ABODI icon is the twin unisus, a mystical and powerful creature, a winged unicorn. Celebrities as Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Rita Ora, Jena Malone, Bella Thorne, Diana Agron, Dj Chelsey Leyland, Lindsay Lohan, Tyra Banks, Fergie and many others chose her pieces.