2025/08/27
From 1 to 7 September, Budapest Central European Fashion Week (BCEFW) awaits the public with 56 side events. The fashion week, organised by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA), will not only unveil the newest 2026 spring-summer collections on the runways but also provide interesting fashion programmes in the National Dance Theatre and several locations in Budapest. The diverse programme offering aims to draw attention to Hungarian fashion brands and to present fashion engagingly within a broader cultural context by incorporating visual and applied arts, related art forms, and gastronomy.
The range of side events in the SS26 season is more diverse than ever: upcycling workshops, environmentally conscious design projects, and collections made from recycled materials present sustainability options; open workshops and showroom visits offer a direct meeting opportunity with designers. The relationship between fashion and related arts comes to life through jewellery-making workshops, photographic art events, and contemporary fine art projects. Gastronomic programmes – themed tastings, brunches, and exclusive dinners – intertwine culinary experiences with the aesthetics of design and fashion. In addition to the general public, the programmes provide an ideal meeting point for professionals: the diverse venues and formats create opportunities for designers, stylists, photographers, journalists, and other industry actors to connect in person.
“We are very pleased that an increasing number of venues across the capital – shops, galleries, studios, cultural spaces, and outdoor locations – are joining the vibrant atmosphere of Fashion Week. This shows that the Budapest Central European Fashion Week has by now become not only an industry event but also one of the city’s key cultural festivals, offering discoveries for everyone,” said Zsófia Jakab, CEO of the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency and Ministerial Commissioner for Creative Industry Development and Sectoral Coordination. She added, “I would particularly highlight that during BCEFW, numerous pop-up stores, promotions, and limited collections await shoppers looking for discounts and unique items. Our aim is to promote Hungarian designers as widely as possible, to strengthen consumer demand for Hungarian fashion brands, and at the same time to draw attention to the regional and international significance of Budapest Fashion Week.”
In addition to programmes for the general public, numerous professional fashion events also take place during these days, focusing on knowledge-sharing and industry dialogue. At the Műcsarnok, the international conference From Fashioning Cultural Heritage to the Impact of GenAI explores the interconnection between cultural heritage and contemporary fashion, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on fashion media. The Fashion’s Worlds: From the Margins to the Middle symposium at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design highlights the geopolitical dimensions of fashion, with a focus on the role of Central and Eastern Europe in the creative industries.
Parallel to the weekend shows, the National Dance Theatre hosts the Fashion Hub, organised by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency, serving as the fashion industry experience space of BCEFW. Here, an additional 13 programmes, including interactive workshops, professional discussions, and community events, await the audience. Ryan Thomas Roth, a prominent figure in the international beauty industry with Hungarian roots, will give a talk exploring the connections between personal narratives and the global beauty sector. While Enikő Sütő, one of the iconic figures of Hungarian fashion, reflects on the milestones of her career in the BCEFW series showcasing fashion icons, the Models on the Rise panel features Evelyn Nagy, Márta Varr, and Laura Tóth sharing insights into the current challenges of the modelling industry and their international experiences. The programme also includes sustainability workshops, creative studios, roundtable discussions examining the transformative role of artificial intelligence, and a presentation on perfume-making by Zsolt Zólyomi.
BCEFW events are open to both the general public and industry professionals: most programmes are free while workshops and discussions require prior registration. Navigation between programmes is facilitated by the printed Fashion Map, which allows for personalised programme planning. The entire calendar of side events and Fashion Hub events is available at the event’s official platforms.
More information about the Fashion Hub programmes: On Saturday, 6 September, the all-day BCEFW × Cécha Matcha pop-up welcomes the public, alongside the Wear Your Art – “Tattooed” Top workshop in the morning, offering creative relaxation and experimentation. The early afternoon Models on the Rise panel focuses on the international experiences of young Hungarian models, followed by the professional programme Zöldműhely – Beauty Naturally. Ryan Thomas Roth, with Hungarian roots, discusses the global beauty industry in his English-language lecture, followed by the sustainable workshop Wardrobe Reimagined with Eszter Gózon, offering practical solutions for creating a conscious wardrobe. On Sunday, 7 September, the Flow & Fashion – Yoga with MARI programme provides a refreshing start to the day. In the afternoon, the Charm Yourself programme invites visitors to create bag charms, while a parallel professional roundtable examines the role of AI in the future of fashion. Those interested in perfume culture can gain a comprehensive insight into the art of perfume in the 21st century during Zsolt Zólyomi’s lecture, followed by the Inspiring Icons discussion, where Enikő Sütő shares the stories behind the key milestones of her career.
About the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency
The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency was founded in 2018 to support every actor in the fashion and design industries 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 these goals, 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 and the Maison & Objet design fair. Their primary tasks include strategic cooperation with professional organisations, increasing exports, and supporting Hungarian brands’ professional development with mentorship programmes.
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, the main fashion event of the Central European region. For many years, 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 result in international orders.
© Creative Hungary. 2026. Minden jog fenntartva.
