Slovak Fashion Council and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live!

The Slovak Fashion Council, in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live! and with financial support from the Tatra Bank Foundation, proudly announces the semifinalists for the prestigious Best Fashion Talent award. This award, which aims to support and spotlight the most talented young designers in Slovakia, has attracted exceptionally strong competition this year.

The selected semifinalists showcase the diversity and innovation present in contemporary Slovak fashion, with a focus on sustainability, technological innovations, and inclusivity. Here are the designers whose vision and creativity caught the organizers’ attention and advanced them to the semifinals. The three finalists who will present their collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live! will be decided by a panel of experts on September 10.

Semifinalists for the Best Fashion Talent 2024

• Rudy Šťastný (@rudkostastny)
  His work combines aesthetics and functionality with a strong emphasis on sustainability. He uses deadstock materials from other productions, creating unique pieces that reflect his attention to detail and artistry.
• Jozef Kahánek (RAUM) (@raum.collective)
  He blends various talents and forms of art and design, focusing on creativity, craftsmanship, and connecting people with nature. He explores the boundaries between reality and imagination, drawing inspiration from dreams, memories, and myths. His work merges traditional fashion techniques with modern craftsmanship, standing against fast fashion and promoting the values of creativity and high-quality production.
• Tomáš Maliňak (@toom_design)
  His innovative project for creating custom patterns using artificial intelligence and 3D scanning of individuals is revolutionizing the personalization of clothing. This approach allows for custom-made garments without the need for in-person measurements.
• Dominika Kozáková (@dominikakozakova_)
  Her designs, inspired by Baroque and nature, celebrate diversity and support personal identity. For her, fashion serves as a medium for personal expression and social commentary.
• Tina Zsapka (@arrepentina)
  A recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, she often draws from experiments with various textile techniques. She plans to focus on knitting technology in the future and gain industry experience to build her brand and a community of like-minded individuals.

• Gonoe (Patrik Platko and Max Basala) (@gonoe_)
  Two classmates, Patrik Platko and Max Basala, who founded their brand Gonoe during their studies at Coventry University in the UK, focus on upcycling in their collaborative work. They see their greatest strength and potential in transforming used and unwanted clothing into new and original pieces.
• Juliana Brnáková (@julianabrnakova)
  She works in a world full of structures, handcraft, and a responsible creative process. She strives to educate people about the values of slow fashion and the ethical aspects of the clothing industry, including through her new brand focused on slow fashion.
• Diana Gundová (@dianagundova)
  She uses natural materials and often works with deadstock materials that would otherwise end up as waste. She creates one-of-a-kind fashion, ensuring the uniqueness of each product while minimizing overproduction. She aims to create a brand that expresses uniqueness and individuality through fashion and jewelry, with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability.

Young Designers and Sustainability

Responses from the semifinalists in the Open Call questionnaire reveal that sustainability is not just a buzzword for them but a core philosophy of their work. Rudy Šťastný emphasizes the elimination of overproduction and the versatility of his models for various occasions. Tomáš Maliňak is working on optimizing pattern creation to minimize waste and increase production efficiency through proprietary programs and automated machines.

Jozef Kahánek from RAUM Realm and Domi Kozáková focus on connecting people with nature and using eco-friendly materials. Both designers aim to transform modern fashion culture and promote responsible consumer practices. Tina Zsapka uses natural materials and collaborates with local craftsmen. Her work reflects principles of ecological sustainability and craftsmanship, using materials dyed with natural pigments or vintage handwoven fabrics.

Patrik Platko and Max Basala focus on upcycling and reconstructing old clothing. Their creations are inspired by finds from second-hand shops and bazaars, where they see potential in used and unwanted clothing, transforming them into new and original pieces. Juliana Brnáková focuses on working with textile waste and its reuse. Sustainability is a central element of her work, where the designer takes responsibility for their creations. Diana Gundová uses natural and deadstock materials, ensuring the uniqueness of each product and minimizing overproduction. She employs biodegradable materials and innovative technologies like 3D printing to create fashion accessories.

The Winner Will Be Chosen by an Expert Committee

The submitted works will be judged by a nine-member international committee, composed of experts such as textile designer Juraj Straka, fashion journalist and lecturer Dana Lapšanská, fashion designer and visionary Harriet Hala (AT), clothing designer and educator Barbora Peuch, photographer and creative consultant Marika Majorová, clothing designer, educator, and lecturer Mária Štraneková, Tatra Bank and Raiffeisen Bank Brand Management Director Milada Halová, journalist, editor, and fashion journalist Zdenko Gáfrik, and designer and strategist Jakub Ptačin.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria include artistic expression and design quality, the distinctiveness and clarity of the work, motivation and potential for business success in the market, the effectiveness of communication and presentation skills, and the incorporation of sustainability principles in the designer’s work.

The Best Fashion Talent award is not just a title but a support program that helps young designers develop their talent and offers them opportunities for growth.

“Thanks to the synergistic effects of both organizations, we provide fertile ground for presentation and growth opportunities. We look forward to the next steps in this process and believe that the award will bring new opportunities to young talents and elevate the Slovak fashion scene to the next level,” adds Zuzana Bobiková, Director of the Slovak Fashion Council.

Organizational Team

• BFT’24 Coordinator: Andrea Gregorová
• SFC Director: Zuzana Bobiková
• MBFL! Manager: Zora Husarčíková
• PR Contact for Media: Andrea Gregorová, Babsy Jagušák
• Social Media: Petra Konček
• Committee Members: Juraj Straka (SK), Dana Lapšanská (SK), Harriet Hala (AT), Milada Halová (SK), Maja Štraneková (SK), Marika Majorová (SK), Barbora Peuch (SK), Zdenko Gáfrik (SK), Jakub Ptačin (SK)

Award Announcers

Slovak Fashion Council and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live!

BFT’24 Partners

• Main Partner: Tatra Bank Foundation
• Product Partners: Voslauer, Nespresso, CodexLabs, Fraela, Cisarove
• Presentation Partners: MBFL!, SOM Store, Fashion Map
• Educational Program Partners: Alain Delon, Nehera
• Mentors: Juraj Straka, Mata Durikovič, Kristina Šipulová, Katarína Mydliarová, Zuzana Bobiková, Andrea Gregorová, Petra Konček

Supported by NCD and the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava (VŠVU)

Exclusive Media Partners for BFT’24

• Refresher
• fablstyle.com

About the Slovak Fashion Council

The Slovak Fashion Council (SFC) is a professional non-profit organization that has been helping to support and develop the Slovak fashion ecosystem since 2011. It was founded by fashion designer Dana Kleinert, who has since won many domestic and international awards. Since December 2019, the new CEO, Zuzana Bobiková, who has been developing the strategy and program of the SFC since its inception, continues this work.

• Web: www.slovakfashioncouncil.sk
• Instagram: @Slovak_fashion_council
• Facebook: @SlovakFashionCouncil

About Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live! is a fashion event that makes Slovak and global fashion accessible to the public through collections from seasoned fashion designers and promising young talents. Over three days of shows, fashion lovers can enjoy several daily runway events.

• Web: www.mbfl.sk
• Instagram: @mbfl_ba
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fashionlive8949

Media Contacts:

• Andrea Gregorová: [email protected], +421 911 046 309
• Barbara Jagušák: [email protected], +421 903 441 441