Archive
LIGHT . . .
Light – as an energy, optimism, warmth, a look in the future ... This exactly is the starting point of Belgrade Fashion Week organizers when it comes to 19th edition of this the most prestigious domestic fashion manifestation which is to be held from 17th up to 22nd of April. The Light is the main inspiration of this year's Fashion Week not only because white will be fashionable all over the world this spring/summer season but also because this is the year when world celebrates 150 years from the birth of a genius from Smiljane who left an undeniable stamp on the 20th century by his discoveries.
When Nikola Tesla was asked how he likes to be paid when the first hydroelectric power station was constructed on Niagara waterfalls, he said he would like to get a single cent for every single kilowatt. The great Serbian scientist was laughed at for his unusual answer at the time 'cause no one could even imagine that the world will be quite a different place from that moment on.
This year 19th edition of Belgrade Fashion Week in the organization of the Click Fashion Studio happens to be in the same time as Belgrade Days manifestation which official name for this year is Enlightenment in the honor of Nikola Tesla. Thus the City Hall which is a traditional patron of Fashion Week together with Click Fashion Studio decided to dedicate this spring to Tesla. We came to the joint subject and good idea – students from the Faculty of Applied Arts under the supervision of the professor Doda Komad will prepare the performance LIGHT. Very interesting designing solutions are expected as well as the play with the forms and the presentation itself of this rare happening is kept as a surprise.
The main face of this Fashion Week campaign is one of ours the most famous models Slađana Tesla who share the same family background as Nikola Tesla. The marvelous atmosphere of the dramatic clash between our situation and the Light as a hope for the better was expressed through the photographies done by Aleksandar Kujučev. This constant artistic approach to the fashion was recognized by Serbian Ministry of Culture which will support the manifestation for the very first time and will also give it the possibility to insist further on the fact that FASHION is an ART.
Fashion has became, beside sport, the global number one phenomena. The greatest designers dictate the social climate, the way of dressing but way of the behavior too. Both, rich as well as poor, intellectuals and non intellectuals, follow the standards of behavior and often accept suggestions coming from the catwalks around world, whether they do that consciously or not. The greatest world's models are mega stars, designers are among the richest people in the world and profits of the fashion companies worth billions of dollars.
Despite harsh economic situation in our country, devotees of nice things life can not be imagine without, don't allow themselves be discouraged. Belgrade Fashion Week gives its best in attempt to follow the similar manifestations in capitals world wide such are those in London, Paris, New York ...
Fashion devotees will be able to enjoy works of domestic and foreign fashion designers (both, young and already established) this spring also.
During last years a certain stagnation is obvious in the filed of development of domestic fashion and textile industry, not only due to transitional problems and many big foreign brands on our market, but also because of indifferent approach of the state to this potentially strong industry. However, situation is changing concerning that matter. Our wish to inform the broad public through the Fashion Week about quality of domestic fashion which can parry to actual world trends and to contribute to the establishing of competing quality of domestic products compared to foreign brands, was supported by Economic Chamber of Serbia.
This is the reason why this Fashion Week will be opened by Trends fashion show with leading domestic fashion companies taking part in - Mona, Nicola’s, Todor, Zekstra, Passage, Legend, Ivković, Gazu, Aries, Azzaro ... Our well known stylists - Jovana Božović, Dejana Momčilović, Maja Atanisijević and Igor Todorović will use this opportunity to present current world trends – Innocence, East, New Sex Appeal and Woman in a Man's Suit just from the models of these well known Serbian brands.
Young talents will also present their collections within Belgrade Fashion Week (New Tendencies program), as well as designers who established themselves on previous Fashion Weeks - Nataša Šarić, Bata Spasojević, Darko Kostić, Boris Nikolić, Iva Stefanović, Suzana Perić, Bojana Illić and, for the very first time as a independent designer well known Vesna Matijević.
Within this Fashion Week some popular world wide famous brands which are represented here in a very attractive way by Avanguardia will also have their presentations, as well as Italian Sorbino, famous domestic underwear brand Extreme Intimo and new fashion company Katrin from Niš. Special guest of Belgrade Fashion Week will be one small interesting fashion company Yekoto from Paris.
What must not be missed is the exhibition of accessories, 'cause fashion today can not be imagined without it. Good pair of shoes, purse or a piece of jewelry sometimes can do more for you than the most expensive dress by some world wide famous fashion designer. We would specially like to present our guests from New York who will exhibit their United Nude footwear. And how footwear design is seen and successfully executed by a team of one Dutch architect and one English shoemaker will be demonstrated within special presentation prepared by this interesting creative duet.
These creative people will be the guests of the first Belgrade Design Week. Belgrade Design Week is a project which will take place simultaneously with Fashion Week just like in London which is one of the world's capitals of design and fashion. So, “the cream of the cake” during the last day of both manifestations will be well known world and domestic experts in the domain of design, branding, communications, fashion and business trends. That atmosphere will be dominant during all Fashion Week days and in, this time specially designed, Ora Ito VIP room.
Belgrade thus becomes the city of opportunities and challenges, exactly as it was recently declared as the most perspective city of our region. The place of exchange between experiences from the world and domestic creativity. The city of Light and energy. The city with the potential of a future European metropole in every respect. Design and fashion are only small parts of what it can offer to its guests and we are certain this will be recognized by many investors from abroad.
All that gives us a hope that in this country full of talented and creative young people, fashion will become the real and serious business. Until than, there is nothing else we can do than to forget all life misfortunes this spring and enjoy beautiful things and bright spring colors while illuminated by LIGHT.
Fashion is in fashion, so, welcome to the 19th Belgrade Fashion Week.
STATEMENTS
Radmila Hrustanović, deputy of Belgrade mayor
Despite the conditions we are living in, Belgrade Fashion Week, for almost ten years now, firmly keeps its position as the most important fashion manifestation in our country. Engagement in this field has resulted in pushing some boundaries of style as well as our perception of fashion as an integral part of art and local cultural life. It is really significant that this year Fashion Week coincides with Belgrade's Days manifestation. Such a fusion of cultural events and intertwine of ideas and creativity makes this city the regional metropole which in turn makes me feel very proud and I am glad that City Hall as a long lasting patron of this manifestation can participate in that. The great thing is that Fashion Week also commemorates 150 years since Nikola Tesla's birth which gives a new dimension to this event, so I am sure that we are going to really enjoy in this April's week in Belgrade.
Dr Slobodan Milosavljević, the president of Serbian Economic Chamber
Belgrade Fashion Week is one of the crystal examples that what is Serbian can also be and European and worldly. Belgrade Fashion Week for almost a decade now brings us the spirit of New York, Paris, Milan, London ... and that was of exceptional significance at its very beginning when Belgrade, in an isolated country under burden of economic sanctions, was at least for a week a world alike metropole, as well as nowdays when Serbia is striving to occupy the leading position in the region and the place it deserves in the organized European family. That is why Belgrade Fashion Week never was only fashion but cultural and social phenomena too, the successful attempt and proof that “missions impossibles” are possible. Chance for young and unknown designers and models to step into world fashion scene through the Belgrade's catwalks is turned into brand which creates brands and opens the door of the world and Europe to the people, ideas and products from Serbia. Belgrade Fashion Week demonstrate to us and to the world some other, diligent and real Serbia in a fascinating way. It is quite impressive that Belgrade's streets look more and more like Fashion Week which proves that this town is a fertile ground for the creative energy, beauty and fashion. Fashion Week is a place where one can find great atmosphere, organization, plenty of style ... It is manifestation that makes you think only on future. And that is one of the reasons why Serbian Economic Chamber supports this manifestation.
Ruška Bergman, stylist
This is my second time here on Fashion Week in Serbia and I have to say Belgrade has woke up! That energy is incredible, almost contagious. Belgrade is talked about in the West. Money is not everything, it is much more in ideas and that is something very much appreciated by people abroad. That's why all designers in this country should work together, should associate with each other and all together show up at Fashion Week. I think that would be fantastic. All is in originality for me. Designers must not copy other designers. They have to be unique, on their own. That is why it is important that Fashion Week supports young designers. To have two new designers at every Fashion Week is a success. The most important thing is being presented at Fashion Week. Nenad Radujević and Click do the incredible thing for Belgrade and Serbia. This year Fashion Week and Design Week are simultaneously organized which is very important since the fashion and design are unbreakable bounded. But it should be said that fashion has priority. Fashion is the one that gives ideas to designers. That is why one Gissele earns 25 million dollars per year for advertising a certain brand. All is in fashion.
Dragana Kunjadić, Costume National
The last two years I wasn't able to observe events from the Fashion Weeks in Belgrade and I have to say that I am very interested in what direction our fashion has taken meanwhile having in mind the fact that fashion is one of the basic characters for understanding of people's social behavior ... We posses that good trait to express our personal identity and individuality through clothing and that's why I am positive that Belgrade Fashion Week this April will offer plenty of original and new ideas by well known and young designers which will be given their first opportunity to demonstrate their individuality. I wish good and successful appearance to all of participants and to Click Fashion Studio team I congratulate for their persistence and successful organization of the most prestigious Serbian fashion event.
Marina Kosanović Stefanović, EIC ELLE Serbia
If I am not wrong, Fashion Week is about to celebrate a big jubilee: this one which is going to be soon is the 19th in row. Anyone who was present at the press conference back in 1996. when Nenad Radujević, the creator of this manifestation, announced his plan to start in Belgrade such an event that was regular in almost all world's metropoles, probably remembers certain skepticism which could be felt in the air than. However, after almost 10 years of persistence, continuity and work on this project, I think organizers should be more than satisfied. Fashion Week grew up to be one serious, relevant manifestation which is primarily fashionable in its character but throughout years became more than just that – Belgrade Fashion Week has added the missing piece of beauty this city should have long time ago. The city knew how to appreciate and support that, on the level complicated times we lived in allowed to.
AS for the fashion itself it is senseless to repeat what Fashion Week has done and what has meant for all those interested in fashion from various motifs. In a few days we shall see what is awaiting us, what kind of light local fashion scene is going to radiate in the year when all, including Fashion Week, commemorates 150 years since Nikola Tesla's birth.
Aleksandra Kojić, secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Culture
By its ambition Belgrade Fashion Week has overcome the standards of regular fashion presentation in the terms of stage expression long time ago. Coming close to performance and theater in its expression Fashion Week sets high standards. Thus it contributes and helps the development of cultural industries in a broader plan.
Anyway, Belgrade Fashion Week for me is a program that contributes development of culture and art by its quality. It also develops and improves stage arts, applied arts and design, as well as creativity in the domain of audio visual media in general.
Nada Momirović, owner of the MONA fashion company
Fashion Week in organization of the Click Fashion Studio is a traditional manifestation, the first of its kind, and the longest in its duration on the Balkans and by its existence and professional level contributes to development of domestic fashion industry. It also places Belgrade as one of the European fashion metropoles.
Maja Vidaković, program director of the Belgrade Design Week
Fashion Week is a courier of positive changes, the feeling that we belong to the world, the confirmation that persistence, positive energy and responsibility must give good result and good fun. Partnership between Design Week and Fashion Week was established as a recognition of similar energies and motifs which center is Belgrade and desire to redirect the focus of European cultural events into our direction. Creative people that take part in both manifestations are aware that through cooperation of this kind we grew stronger in realization of that idea. Throughout Europe design event of the decade on the Balkans is already talked about and I am sure that the reputation of the Belgrade Fashion Week has prepared the ground for the big designing explosion in April. In the future Fashion Week should encourage young avant-garde but also should present to the Belgrade audience the less known progressive names from European scene, above all from Belgium and Holland. I could proudly bring all of my friends to the Belgrade Fashion Week.
Igor Todorović, fashion editor of Cosmopolitan
I think that topic of this Fashion Week – that is the whole story about Nikola Tesla is very interesting and I guess it will draw attention. Tesla was great inventor and since fashion at the certain level is also connected with inventing, I believe there is a connection between two somewhere in here. There will be interesting fashion shows and I believe they will be very attended as usual. “First person” presentation wasn't possible before for great number of brands as it is case in recent times so I think Fashion Week had had a role to instruct the people in what is fashion able to present in the broadest sense of the matter. The time has come when local, domestic fashion begins to emerge as a manifestation of a real character while before it was more one big effort without real feedback. I hope that there will be more and more feedbacks in the future 'cause having in mind the world's fashion scene I think fashion has become one big social courier. It is not only the way you dress and the colors you choose but the deeper message you send through the fashion. I guess here will be the same case in all this game.
Borislav Simeunović, general manager of N Sport company
Belgrade Fashion Week has definitely become Belgrade's fashion signature. Twice a year Belgrade turns into a real fashion metropole. Belgrade Fashion Week is not only the event which offers the opportunity to numerous companies from fashion domain to present their current collections or to show what is trendy and chic to the people of Belgrade but also the event which gives the special emotion and passion to the whole city and region.
The main Puma's mission is to merge sport, fashion and lifestyle into an irresistible entity and I am sure there is no better place for us to demonstrate that than Fashion Week. We have particularly found a good connection between what we are and what our mission is and new way of perception of the fashion through the prism of our young designers – all that packed in the part of this manifestation known under name New Tendencies .
Ašok Murti, stylist
In harsh times when Fashion Week was developing I think the most was done on hardware, which is maybe not so obvious at the first glance, in the sense of the interest of the public we appeal to, but I also think that the high professionalization of all participants engaged in the process of forming of one fashion show is the greatest contribution of the Fashion Week. Further, it has established the modeling branch not as a part of entertaining business but as a serious profession. And, of course, it has fully affirmed the professions such as mine which wouldn't exist without manifestation like this one. The role of the stylist gained the significance 'cause it is necessary to make the balance between what is commercial and, so to say, what is work of an author. We present the commercial lines in a fashionable way. Unfortunately, I have to say that in this story the least progress was made by fashion audience which still don't realize how far professionalization has gone. I think that public that follows these events attend fashion shows mostly from wrong reasons – to be seen instead to analyze what is presented on the catwalk.
I had opportunity to see how artistic identity of this Fashion Week looks like – and I have to say that our well known photographer Aleksandar Kujučev did a great job together with his associates.
Mirjana Lončarević, marketing manager of the Extreme Intimo company
This is our third participation in this manifestation which means a lot to domestic producers, 'cause that is the best way for them to present their work. Fashion Week has successfully distinguished itself and became the most important manifestation of this kind here. After our fashion show within Fashion Week, which is the merit of Click Fashion Studio, we were very much noticed. We have also received a big deal of positive feedback from abroad. The road to the foreign markets dominated by harsh competition is very long, but maybe this way of working and cooperation with the fashion channel is a step toward that goal. This spring for the Belgrade Fashion Week we have prepared something special for both, stronger and weaker sexes. Our famous athletes, water-polo player Danilo Ikodinović and basketball player Nataša Vukoja will be promoters of domestic underwear brand EXTREME INTIMO. Without false modesty I have to say that quality materials, exceptional production and design according world trends makes Extreme Intimo one of the most loved Serbian brands.
Nataša Šarić, fashion designer
Fashion Week is important for all those who are directly or indirectly involved in fashion, 'cause that's the place where designers and the best fashion companies present their models. It is also an opportunity for giving the support to young and still unknown designers who strive to find their position in the kingdom of needle and thread. Fashion Week is also a center of all fashion events in our country so it gathers all those that have something new to say, those who dictate new trends and those who are idea bearers. Fashion Week is one very respectful manifestation which means that anyone who takes part in it can be considered as successful. Due to its uniqueness Fashion Week is very much attended. Aside people from the fashion world it is also attended by various respectful persons from other professions – businessmen, journalists, photographers, artists, politicians and others. Fashion Week is the place where many acquaintanceships could be made that later can be proved of crucial importance for further work. It is also very important that festival is well covered by media so that every single designer has a chance to present his/her work to the broadest audience.
Vesna Matijević, fashion designer
Since Fashion Week establishment I rather often take part in it, seven or eight times so far. But this will be my first independent participation and I notice again that from season to season Fashion Week is getting better and better in terms of organization and conception which is also very important for the participants themselves. As a participant I don't have to think about many things: I get contacted by the organizers who take care of everything so me and my colleagues are free to do our job – which is to design. My wish is to see more author's collections and that in the foreground are designers who make small and unique collections. I hope Fashion Week will be more and more oriented in that direction.
Miša Obradović, fashion photographer
I follow the work of Click Fashion Studio from the very beginning and I think Fashion Week is getting better and better from one year to another, so I believe this one will be better than the previous one. It is good that manifestation is expanding and doesn't mean fashion shows only but exhibitions of asseccories and fashion photographies also. That is worth a praise. I believe this is the most important and surely the most professional fashion week in the region. It is great that our organizers manage to establish a link with the fashion weeks in the world and make an excellent media presentation of our Fashion Week. A proof for this claim is the fact that our fashion shows are edited at FTV channel.
Vladimir Milošević, marketing manager of Avanguardia
I follow Fashion Week for the last three or four years and I think it is very good organized. As distributors and importers of various brands we above all see it as a presentation in the terms of marketing which could not be possible without manifestation of this kind. That is also very important for all those involved in production and want to present their work in a right way. I think that Belgrade Fashion Week is an opportunity for making our citizens familiar with the products and trends of world's brands we represent. Stronger sex will be able to see models of Merrell, Kowalski, Quick, Paradise Calling, Kenvelo and Tommy Hilfiger brands while ladies will see models by Spanih and Italian brands Kowalski and Indian Rose.
Bogomir Doringer, fashion designer
Fashion Week has gave me a big opportunity at the proper time. Looking back I can say it was a chance of great importance 'cause Fashion Week has offered me its hospitality without prejudices and complexes. Fashion Week was the place where I have learnt the meaning of devoted and team work and the meaning of trust. I invested a lot but eventually that payed off. Pig fashion show is something I am very proud of and Fashion Week is something I am very pleased with in my CV even today. On the other hand Fashion Week is a big experience for me. Big personality test. Taking an entrance examination. The salvation from decay in the country where I didn't see any future but is my incredible inspiration. The Fashion Week in Serbia is adored manifestation of all sorts of people, of different professions, education, intellect, style ... As such it was fascinating to me and also ideal for positioning of social critique. Of course, all that would not be possible if Fashion Week was not tolerant and open to my suggestions. To young and creative people it is an option and problems solution if they are interested in fashion or some others equally creative things.
Zoran Bosanac, fashion consultant from Paris
It is incredible to me, but here it is – almost ten years, over and over again, sur la route du chic, only and real one Belgrade Fashion Week. Fasten your seat belts!
