Thousands of people watched the BCEFW’s fashion shows live and online

This year’s first BCEFW presented the AW22/23 collections of more than 30 Hungarian and regional fashion brands on the fashion week’s catwalks and on exhibitions one month earlier than usual. Before the most prominent international fashion weeks, Hungarian brands gained a competitive edge in wholesales since vendors first saw the next season’s pieces in Hungary. Among the fall-winter collections, natural colours dominated, including red and different shades of autumn leaves. Knitted sweaters, elegant satin dresses and puffer jackets were not missing from the shows. The fashion shows, which took place over three days, were attended by 2500 guests in person, in line with the current health measures, but there was also a strong interest in the side events and online broadcasts. The shows can be rewatched on the event’s official Facebook and TikTok channels.

The success of the ninth Budapest Central European Fashion Week presenting 2022/23 autumn-winter collections surpassed the fashion weeks of previous years. Our capital became an actual fashion city during this time with exciting fashion-themed events galore, receiving great interest. The event - held one month earlier than usual - reached its goal: international resellers and distributors could place their orders on Hungarian collections when they still had their whole budget. As a result, Hungarian brands gained a substantial competitive edge.

During the BCEFW Pre-Fall Collection, the fashion shows of three days were held with a reduced number of participants due to the pandemic situation in two iconic buildings of Budapest, in the Royal Riding Hall on Friday and in the Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday and Sunday. The collaboration between the Museum and the Agency is a great opportunity for consciously exploiting and further developing existing connections since increasing the tourist attraction of Hungary, and the support of the creativity in the Hungarian creative industry brands and designers are common goals of the two institutions.

2500 visitors followed the fashion shows live, among which acclaimed representatives of the international press such as the Italian, Ukrainian, and Polish Vogue, and the Polish and Serbian ELLE. Meanwhile, famous influencers, such as Doina Ciobanu, fashion influencer, model, and sustainability ambassador, or Richard Biedul, creative director, model, and influencer, reported on the event. In addition to the international media, numerous resellers watched the shows on-site coming from countries such as Russia or Italy, with whom the designers could meet and negotiate about sales opportunities after the shows in person.

The interest in BCEFW was seen in the online space as well, where those interested in next season’s pieces could follow the event on the BCEFW’s official Facebook page and TikTok channel, where you can still rewatch the videos. The fashion week’s Instagram profile boasts almost 17 thousand followers now, thanks to the active online visibility.

Big names appeared not only among the crowds but also on the runways: the shows featured Panni Epres, who has built a serious modelling career, and Hungarian celebrities such as Evelyn Verrasztó, swimmer, and Kati Wolf, singer. This year’s shows also included another unique feature, with several brands making their anniversary appearances at BCEFW. Some brands celebrated their tenth anniversary at the event, while others celebrated their twenty-fifth.

The Agency provided numerous possibilities for designers this year; thus, accessory and jewellery designers could also present their creations besides clothing brands. In addition, as an accentuated side event, five Hungarian brands’ exhibitions were shown in Deák Palota on the Fashion Street, and seven in the Museum of Fine Arts, also known as the venue of the fashion shows. Several designers of the Hungarian Mentoring Programme appeared among the brands debuting at the BCEFW. You can read more about them here.

Meanwhile, side events filled the capital with fashion-related programmes. Based on the feedback, the guests had an excellent time at the events organised by the designers. Roundtable discussions and presentations, open showrooms, workshops, and many other exciting events awaited those interested in the world of fashion.

The Agency offered the amount received from ticket sales, almost HUF 1 million, to the Hungarian Interchurch Aid just like in the previous season. The HFDA aspired to include students participating in vocational and university training in the event again. All in all, almost 100 students arrived from different institutions and gained first-hand professional experience.