2025/09/09
More than 70 Hungarian designers and nearly 30 creators from six Central European countries – Slovakia, Serbia, Slovenia, Romania, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic – dazzled the audience of the 16th Budapest Central European Fashion Week (BCEFW) with their Spring/Summer 2026 collections. The region’s leading fashion event once again attracted enormous interest: fashion experts, distributors, and editors and photographers from renowned fashion and lifestyle magazines such as WWD, METAL Magazine, 10Magazine USA, Vogue Adria, the Ukrainian, Slovenian, and Romanian editions of ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar Czech Republic attended the shows held at Apollo Gallery and Millenáris. The Hungarian press and industry were equally engaged: a record 7,000 visitors attended the fashion shows and presentations, while over 50 side events awaited fashion lovers across Budapest.
During the SS26 season, nearly 100 designers showcased their work between September 1–7, organized by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA). A highlight of the season was that two higher education institutions playing a key role in creative industry education also presented their graduate collections under the BCEFW umbrella. Graduates of Budapest Metropolitan University presented at the Hungarian National Museum, while students of Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design showcased their contemporary vision and innovative approach on campus.
The integration of these institutions into the official BCEFW program marked a milestone not only for the students but for the entire fashion industry. By involving designer communities, the initiative promotes multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation, strengthening ties between higher education and the professional sphere, while also emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent and the long-term development of the creative industries.
Following the sold-out university showcases, the shows continued at Apollo Gallery: collective and graduate presentations from regional designers were followed by a joint show of Hungary’s newest generation of talent. The runway was framed by Áron Baráth’s paintings, sparking dialogue between fashion and contemporary fine arts. At the weekend shows held at Millenáris, leading Hungarian fashion brands shared the stage with designers from six regional countries. This international presence was made possible by HFDA’s extensive collaborations with agencies organizing fashion weeks across neighboring countries, ensuring that while regional brands gain exposure in Budapest, Hungarian brands can also shine at fashion weeks abroad.
“Our key goal is to provide an increasingly broad and colorful picture of the region’s fashion world season after season. In doing so, we attract focused international attention to Hungarian actors, contributing to their stronger visibility, expansion of business relations, and increased sales. Fashion is one of the dynamically growing sectors of the Hungarian economy: in 2023, there were 7,420 mostly rural SMEs operating in textile, apparel, leather, and leather goods manufacturing, with 80% of the sector’s revenue coming from exports. Supporting the creative industry is therefore an investment in jobs, exports, and the country’s image,” emphasized Zsófia Jakab, Ministerial Commissioner for the Development and Coordination of the Creative Industries and CEO of HFDA.
She added: it is particularly important that this year, Dora Fung, Editor-in-Chief of 10Magazine USA, also joined the BCEFW International Advisory Board, further enhancing professional standards and international visibility.
Over the past years, BCEFW has grown into a key fashion event in Hungary and the region. This is thanks not only to the collections of major designers but also to its role as a meeting platform, where fashion enthusiasts and industry players – designers, stylists, photographers, buyers, and journalists – can connect across diverse venues and programs. Industry guests arrived from around 15 countries, including representatives of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, organizers of Paris Fashion Week, and French trade show Tranoï, as well as numerous international retailers from Japan to the United Kingdom. International media was also present in force, with editors and photographers from Fashion United, Vogue Adria, ELLE Ukraine, Vogue Poland, ELLE Slovenia, ELLE Romania, WWD, and Harper’s Bazaar CZ, who not only gained first-hand insights into Hungarian and regional fashion trends but also experienced Budapest’s cultural heritage.
Celebrities also appeared on the runway: Evelin Nagy walked in several Saturday shows, Barbara Somossy presented in a Merő design, while singer Csinszka opened the Borbala show. Unreal Industries’ collection featured boxers, NUBU’s presentation was highlighted by 14 dancers of the Szeged Contemporary Ballet, while Katti Zoób’s closing show drew fashion icons to the front row – figures whose decades-long careers in Hungary and abroad contributed to the industry’s development. Guests of honor included Editor-in-Chief Krisztina Maróy, photographer Gábor Módos, and models Enikő Sütő, Adrienn Mahelszki, Eszter Csákvári-Sarnyai, Adrienn Nádor, Ági Aipli, Szilvia Strich, and Mari Háfra.
Among HFDA’s strategic goals is strengthening the prestige of creative industry professions, a mission clearly reflected at BCEFW. Thanks to collaborations with universities and vocational institutions, this year more than 30 educational institutions and nearly 250 students and representatives participated in the shows, gaining direct experience of the creative industry’s workings.
Sustainability was once again one of BCEFW’s central themes. Several programs addressed issues of environmental awareness and recycling in the industry. This was further emphasized by an initiative in partnership with MOHU MOL Waste Management Co. and Millenáris, which placed a shoe and textile collection container on-site – filled to capacity during BCEFW.
In addition to public programs, numerous professional fashion events took place during the week, focusing on knowledge sharing and industry dialogue. A record 56 events awaited audiences across Budapest, ranging from fashion conferences to discount shopping opportunities, engaging workshops, and lectures – allowing everyone to explore the fashion world in their own way.
At the Fashion Hub held at the National Dance Theatre, highlights included Ryan Thomas Roth, a key figure in the international beauty industry, who shared stories connecting personal journeys with global trends; young Hungarian models Evelyn Nagy, Márta Varr, and Laura Tóth, who revealed behind-the-scenes details of their careers; and perfumer Zsolt Zólyomi, who gave a talk on the art of scents. The experience area also showcased presentations from eight designers, along with the offerings of Hungarian accessory and beauty brands.
Thus, the fashion week not only spotlighted designers’ work but also brought Hungarian brands closer to the public. At the same time, fashion intersected with other creative fields – design, fine arts, gastronomy – further strengthening Budapest’s role as a creative hub of the region.
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 products’ 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.
