European Fashion Forum 2015 - International Conference, fashion show and party

On June 17th, 2015 in Hotel 'Sheraton', Sofia, Bulgaria, was held an European Fashion Forum, organized by Men's Fashion Cluster. The event included an international conference, fashion show and party.

The conference was hosted by Prof. Lubomir Stoykov and officially opened by Mrs. Daniela Vezieva - Deputy Minister of Economy.

The forum brought together experts from the academic, business and design communities in the fashion industry. Fourteen Winners of Golden Needle by the Academy of Fashion, fashion design students from four Bulgarian universities and Bulgarian designers, who have presented their work on world fashion stages, took part in the fashion show. The accent of the event was the presentation of contemporary clothing with references to Bulgarian folklore.

During the International conference, Mr. Nikola Stoyanov - a representative of The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency provided information about the support of Bulgarian fashion companies to participate in exhibitions abroad aiming to encourage the export.

Dean Manev, Men's Fashion Cluster Executive Director, presented the cluster, which was founded in 2013 with the idea to bring together business, designers, suppliers, producers, institutions and companies with diverse business interests in Europe in a common purpose. The aim is to make Europe a world leader in the fashion industry and to restore European manufacturing.

Constantine Stoynov, a fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar Bulgaria and a professor at the National Academy of Arts talked about 'The Fashion Forecasts'.

Rosario Beauvais, Manager of Academy del Russo, part of Cepu Group Bulgaria talked about 'The role of Italian fashion in European culture'.

Katerina Tsaneva, a senior lecturer and PhD student of free training in the NAA's Fashion department, presented an exposé on topic: '3D printing in fashion design'.

The conference was closed by the fashion entrepreneur Martin Yordanov, who works with the choreographer of Richmart Dance Formation - Hristo Dimitrov - for the promotion and popularization of the contemporary clothing, which includes motifs from the Bulgarian folklore.

The review-spectacle, which started right after the end of the conference, begun with an attractive combination of fashion and Bulgarian folklore dances.

Richmart Dance Formation presented a men's suit jackets collection by Tsvetomir Petkov, a NAA fashion student, dancing Bulgarian folklore dances on a mix of modern dance music.

Together with the formation, Nikolaya Dimitrova presented a dress - a modern interpretation of Bulgarian national female costume from Shopsko - created by the designer and master of traditional costumes Raina Gancheva in cooperation with Tsvetomir Petkov.

Hristo Dimitrov created the original choreography especially for the event.

Several generations of winners of the 'Golden Needle' Award presented their models during the European Fashion Forum 2015. Sofia Borisova, Hristina Angelova, Fashion House Andrews/, Eugenia Zhivkova, Jana Jekova, Albena Alexandrova, Mariela Gemisheva, Alia Milusheva, Maria Nedkova, Assoc. Yordanka Chernaeva, Darina Manchenko, Milka Alexandrova - Buchi, Antonia Yordanova and Nikolai Bozhilov presented their creations during the fashion show.

Bulgarian designers, who have presented their work on world fashion stages, also took part in the review-spectacle. VHK Fashion by Veselka Krachunova, which was accepted very positively by the fashion critics in the USA, where she presented her work during the this year's editon of Las Vegas Fashion Week, showed womenswear and one model from the collection Kids by VHK Fashion.

The fashion brand MINOÁR with designers Teodora Spassova and Yoan Galabov, presented models from their Summer 2015 menswear collection. In the end of the month, Teodora and Yoan will present their work during the Paris Fashion Week for a second time.

The European Fashion Forum gave the opportunity of fashion design students from four Bulgarian universities (National Academy of Arts, New Bulgarian University, South-West University 'Neofit Rilski' - Blagoevgrad, Varna Free University 'Chernorizets Hrabar') to present up to 15 of their designs.

14 students from the National Academy of Arts, studying bachelor degree in 'Fashion', presented a fashion performance with designs from their graduation project 'Urban Legends', leaded by Ass. Prof. Dr. Mariela Gemisheva. Students from New Bulgarian University, studying master degree in 'Fashion and Business Strategies', showed four collections. Young designer, alumni of NBU, ex students of Dr. Rositsa Rangelova, showed three collections. Graduates of South-West University 'Neofit Rilski' - Blagoevgrad, leaded by Maria Onteva, also presented three collections. Six students from Varna Free University 'Chernorizets Hrabar', studying 'Fashion and fashion management', leaded by Assoc. Prof. Kapka Manasieva, showed 13 of their designs.

Among the VIP guests who attended the event were: Iva Ekimova, Jordana Dimitrova, Kapka Amzina and Yavor Tsakov, Madlena Ivanova, Maya Koseva, Olga Uskova, Tsveta Popova and others. The top models, who presented the designs were: Gerry Doncheva, Nancy Karaboycheva (Miss Bulgaria 2013), Raina Naldjieva (Miss Bulgaria World 2003), Jana Yaneva (Miss Bulgaria Universe 2012), Diana Ivancheva (Miss Top Model Of The World 2009).

Author of the concept of the European fashion forum, organized by the Men's Fashion Cluster is prof. Lubomir Stoykov. Host of the review-spectacle was the young singer and actress Marina Kiskinova, who also performed a few songs. The staging of the show was created by Boyan Karaivanov.

Photos:

• Dean Manev, Daniela Vezieva, prof. Lubomir Stoykov and Martin Yordanov (left to right);

• Rosario Beauvais, Manager of Academy del Russo and prof. Lubomir Stoykov;

• Richmart Dance Formation presents a men's suit jackets collection by Tsvetomir Petkov, a NAA fashion student, dancing Bulgarian folklore dances on a mix of modern dance music;

• Nikolaya Dimitrova presents a dress - a modern interpretation of Bulgarian national female costume;

• A model by Sofia Borisova;

• A model by Hristina Angelova;

• A model by Antonia Yordanova;

• A model by Nikolay Bozhilov;

• A model by Mariela Gemisheva;

• A model by Albena Aleksandrova;

• A model by Andres/ fashion house;

• A model by Milka Aleksandrova - Buchi;

• A model by Alya Milusheva;

• A model by Darina Manchenko;

• A model by Evgenia Jivkova;

• A model by Assoc. Yordanka Chernaeva;

• A model by Maria Nedkova;

• A model by Jana Jekova;

• MINOAR models;

• The young singer and actress Marina Kiskinova;

• Sofia Borisova and prof. Lubomir Stoykov.

Photos: © Photogroup
Make-up: Beauty Club - Nadejda Radeva and Irena Boseva
Hair: Victoria Stephan