The fashion scene once again focused on Budapest: the 11th BCEFW was held

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA) organised the main fashion event of the Central European region, the Budapest Central European Fashion Week (BCEFW), which attracted almost two thousand visitors throughout the eventful week. The event was held with a new concept: 15 Hungarian and 4 regional designers showcased the pieces of their autumn-winter collections at four iconic venues in the capital in the form of presentations.

Between the 2^nd and 6^th of February, fashion took the centre stage in Budapest again; those interested in fashion and industry professionals could participate in 25 side events besides the weekend presentations during the Budapest Central European Fashion Week AW23/24. All in all, nearly 1000 visitors attended the side events and participated in thematic workshops and showroom visits with discounts, among other things, and they could even purchase the products of their favourite domestic brands in the BCEFW pop-up store on Fashion Street.

The renewed BCEFW’s main event, the designers’ presentations were held between the 4^th and the 5^th of February in four iconic buildings of Budapest: the National Dance Theatre, the Hungarian National Museum, the Museum of Ethnography, and the ELTE University Library, where almost 1000 people viewed the Hungarian brands’ as well as two Slovakian and two Polish designers’ 2023/24 autumn-winter collections.

“We organised BCEFW for the eleventh time this year, which has gone through a significant change in concept. Instead of catwalk shows, we provided the designers with a debuting possibility in a creative presentation format, as it was a great opportunity to promote their characteristics along the lines of unique concepts” – said Anita Forintos-Szűcs. The HFDA’s General Deputy CEO added: “Moreover, the event’s touristic role is indispensable since, by including the four iconic locations, international journalists and influencers with a large following attending the event got a more diverse picture of the attractions and touristic features of Budapest. We can proudly say that BCEFW has become one of the region’s determining cultural and creative events, the program provides a unique, high-quality, and unforgettable experience to the profession, those interested in fashion, and tourists visiting the city as well.

BCEFW’s most special element each season is the weekend program series; a team of over 400 people worked on the designers’ presentations held on Saturday and Sunday.

The event’s change of concept this year is part of a long-term strategic makeover, an important pillar of which was the formation of the Advisory Board, a professional committee supporting BCEFW, in January 2023 by the HFDA. The Advisory Board’s main objective is to improve the operation and appeal of the Central Eastern European fashion sector, form a more efficient support system focusing on domestic and regional designers and young talents, and discuss current questions concerning the fashion industry considering different sustainability and technological aspects as well. To achieve these goals, prominent, internationally acclaimed industry players were invited to the board such as Violetta Fedorova, online editor-in-chief of the Ukrainian VOGUE magazine; Aleksandra Szol, MODIVO’s e-commerce, marketing, and creative director; and Péter Baldaszti, co-founder and CEO of Vanguards Group (Nanushka, SUNNEI, Aeron).

The Central European region’s leading fashion event attracted domestic celebrities as well as renowned international experts. Among the latter are editors of the Italian, Czech, and Ukrainian VOGUE, the Serbian ELLE, the American 10Magazine, and the British Forbes. In addition, during the presentations, international influencers could be spotted such as Gili Biegun from Italy, who visits our capital season after season, or the Suarez sisters from New York. The organisers welcomed the biggest distributors’ buyers as well at the event; foreign customers will find the autumn-winter collections presented by domestic brands at the BCEFW in showrooms in Milan, Paris, and New York.

One of the strategic goals of the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency, five years old this year, is to turn Budapest into the region’s fashion capital as well as an attractive destination for travellers interested in fashion and design who specifically look for products from the Hungarian creative industries. An essential tool is the BCEFW, held every year, which supports the enhancement of Hungarian and regional designers’ sales and visibility.

***

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 its 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. Strategic cooperation with professional organisations, increasing export, and supporting Hungarian brands’ professional development with mentoring programmes are among their accentuated goals.

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 may result in international orders. The Agency’s accentuated goal is to connect the Hungarian fashion and design industry to the international professional flow, and in the long run, turn Budapest into a regional centre, strengthening the country’s image.

Please find the press kit HERE!

Photo credit: HFDA / The Sparkle Content