The special return of Budapest Central European Fashion Week in an unexpected, new form

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency, in compliance with strict health and safety rules in place, will be offering Hungarian brands the opportunity to present their 2020 Autumn-Winter collections at the Deák Palace in front of a small Hungarian audience between the 10^th and 13^th of September. For the first time in the history of Budapest Central European Fashion Week, the designers will be able to present their collections in the framework of a special “trunk show” and the pieces shown will be on sale at the pop-up store set up on Fashion Street.

The Autumn event will be both unusual and unexpected due to its new form – the HFDA will be holding the Fashion Week in September in front of a smaller Hungarian audience, in compliance with health and safety rules. The designers - including Dora Zsigmond menswear, Nubu, Artista, Cako, Maison Marquise, Tomcsanyi, Alma Vetlényi, Romani, Nóra Sármán, Viktória Varga, Celeni, Elysian and Kati Zoób - will be presenting their Autumn-Winter 2020 collections in the new form of a trunk show. The event will begin with introducing the fashion designers from the Young Talents Show, who will be given the opportunity to showcase their skills in an inspiring professional environment by participating in the event, followed by a 6-month long mentoring programme. Just like in previous years, Budapest Central European Fashion Week awaits those interested with various side events throughout the city.*

As part of BCEFW, a pop-up store (a temporary store), will also open its doors to the attendees, giving them the opportunity to purchase the collections on-site. It is also through this form, that the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency is trying to help support designers make up for their lost revenue due to the epidemic. Those interested can view what’s on offer at the downtown store between September 10-20, where accessories from the designers who would have participated as exhibitors in the cancelled Spring event will also be included.

“The Budapest Central European Fashion Week in September was specifically designed to support and bring in the trade that was missed due to the event that was cancelled in April due to the epidemic. In an unexpected and unusual form, this year a selection of the designers will be able to present their current Autumn-Winter collection, which will also be purchasable at the pop-up store set up in one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Budapest. The store will be offering both higher and lower price category products so that everyone can find something in a price range that suits them best.” Stated Zsófia Bata-Jakab, CEO of HFDA.

Continuous changes and development due to the virus situation makes the upcoming period uncertain for the organizers, which made it necessary to rethink options regarding the next fashion week in Budapest. The Agency has decided to go forward with the Budapest Central European Fashion Week in October in the form of runway videos online, which will feature the Spring-Summer 2021 collections. The designers whose shows are implemented in this form will have a great opportunity via this form, as the HFDA also places great emphasis on international communication.

The completed online recordings will be distributed to several international buyers, professionals and authoritative fashion magazines to help designers with sales opportunities, and by doing so, contributing to the continued presence of Hungarian fashion brands in international circulation. Those interested can view the contents of the collections on October 6^th and 7^th. In addition to Hungarian brands, several other designers from the Central European region will also present their Spring-Summer collections. With this, Hungary will be one step closer to acquiring the regional dominant role of the fashion industry in the digital space.

* The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency will be adjusting the programme according to up-to-date, current official information and reserves the right to any programme changes in light of the virus situation. *