The Best of the Region to Showcase at the 14th BCEFW

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA) will organise one of the Central European region’s leading professional events, the Budapest Central European Fashion Week (BCEFW), between the 26^th of August and the 1^st of September for the 14^th time. The SS25 season will focus on new-generation designers, regional collaborations, and the Conscious by BCEFW, the category that incentivises awareness. During the weekend events of BCEFW, a textile collection container provided by MOHU will be placed at Millenáris, highlighting the importance of recycling. The event’s main goal is to build a bridge between regional countries and open new pathways for the designers towards the international scene.

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency organises one of the most important fashion events of the Central European region for the fourteenth time. BCEFW’s shows, presentations and the popular Fashion Hub will be hosted at Millenáris, which will offer a wide range of activities with its impressive buildings and green spaces. A record number of nearly 100 designers applied to BCEFW, who all wish to present their collections in Budapest. The Advisory Board of internationally recognised experts selected the participating brands based on the professional criteria of BCEFW. At the weekend shows, the audience can see collections by acknowledged Hungarian and regional brands in Building G at Millenáris. HFDA’s primary goal is to strengthen its professional relationships with regional fashion organisations and fashion week organisers in the long run through regional collaborations, allowing not only Hungarian brands but also Slovakian, Slovenian, Serbian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Polish and Bosnian-Herzegovinian brands to debut in greater numbers than ever before, through collective shows and presentations. In the BCEFW program, great emphasis is placed on the latest figures in the domestic and regional fashion scene, as there was a record number of applications for the Young Talents category. This year, more than 30 young designers will showcase their collections in the Young Talents and New Generation presentations and collective shows.

‘As a Ministerial Commissioner, one of my main objectives is to incentivise creative industry sectors’ development so that they contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy by increasing economic performance and added value. The work carried out over the past six years at the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency supports this objective, with one of its flagship projects being BCEFW. Season after season, thousands flock to the event, where a total of 67 Hungarian and 44 regional fashion brands debuted over the past 13 editions, with international influencers and domestic opinion leaders reporting on the events. The current record number of nearly 100 designer applications demonstrates BCEFW's pivotal position and indicates that this is the platform chosen by brands for showcasing their collections within the domestic and regional professional community.’ – emphasised Zsófia Jakab, Ministerial Commissioner for the Development and Sectoral Coordination of the Creative Industry and CEO of the HFDA.

The HFDA pays special attention to addressing environmental and social responsibility; thus, in the SS25 season, based on the Advisory Board’s suggestions, it introduced a new, sustainability-focused category. Conscious by BCEFW brings together brands that are most committed to sustainability efforts and have met the professional criteria. The promotion of eco-conscious thinking is further strengthened by a three-way collaboration with MOHU MOL Waste Management Ltd. and Millenáris. During the BCEFW weekend events, a textile collection container provided by MOHU will be placed at Millenáris to highlight the importance of recycling.

Fashion Hub, which has become popular in previous years, will once again offer free programs to the public at the Millenáris National Dance Theatre during the weekend of BCEFW. The organisers are preparing a range of professional panels and discussions, workshops, and presentations in both Hungarian and English for those interested, with a particular focus on the younger generation. The inspiring, immersive program will offer insights into the behind-the-scenes of the fashion scene and creative industries. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about new topics such as the beauty industry, and career paths in photography and filmmaking, and hear from internationally successful professionals.

A record number of partners applied to join the BCEFW program with their event. The diverse side events held at various locations across Budapest and in some county seats will be accessible throughout the entire duration of the event, with printed Fashion Map guides available at the external venues to assist with navigation.

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About the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency was founded in 2018 to support every actor in the fashion and design industry in an efficient and structured way, following predetermined strategic pillars: professional coordination, enhancing Hungarian brands’ availability and trade opportunities, educational development and manufacturing development. To realise their goals, the HFDA organises domestic events each year, such as the region’s major fashion event, the Budapest Central European Fashion Week, or the 360 Design Budapest exhibition, which has received international awards. Besides, they provide Hungarian creators opportunities for participation and debuting at international professional events such as the Milano Fashion Week. Their primary tasks include strategic cooperation with professional organisations, increasing exports, and supporting Hungarian brands’ professional development with their mentoring programs.

Budapest Central European Fashion Week

Since its foundation in 2018, the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency has been organising the Budapest Central European Fashion Week twice a year, which counts as the main fashion event of the Central European region. For many years now, the event has been the number one meeting point between the broad audience, buyers, designers, influencers and domestic and international media in the region. Hungarian fashion and design industry events increase the country’s tourist attraction and national economic growth, provide visibility for Hungarian brands, and result in international orders.