The second night of MBFL 2024! was a manifesto of innovation, sustainability, and designer creativity, bringing the magnificent spaces of the Slovak National Gallery to life. The collections, blending the past with the future and craftsmanship with bold visions, emphasized an atmosphere full of elegance and energy for the audience.
The MBFL 2024 shows featured collections celebrating the connection between fashion and ecological values, demonstrating how both established and young designers are pushing the boundaries of traditional design. Sustainable materials, deadstock fabrics, and innovative processing techniques dominated the evening, setting a new standard for the future of fashion.
Innovative Collections from Best Fashion Talent Finalists
The second day of MBFL 2024! showcased the finalists of the Best Fashion Talent competition, co-organized by Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live! and the Slovak Fashion Council, with support from the Tatra banka Foundation. Dominika Kozáková, Jozef Kahánek, and the brand Gonoe demonstrated that sustainability and material experimentation are at the forefront of their work.
- Dominika Kozáková presented a collection full of contrasts, mixing bold color combinations and playfulness, drawing inspiration from fauna, flora, and the modern circus. With a focus on deadstock materials, she created dynamic pieces that connected the past with modern elements.
- Jozef Kahánek from Raum Collective impressed with precise work on textures and details, blending traditional techniques with modern forms. His collection offered an elegant yet progressive vision of fashion, captivating the audience with its purity and visual sophistication.
- Gonoe, the brand of Patrik Platko and Max Basala, intrigued the audience with a collection that explored the future of fashion through upcycling and innovative techniques using recycled materials like vintage denim. The brand presented a vision of fashion where no new clothing is made, instead harnessing the potential of existing materials.
Highlight of the MBFL 2024 Show
The highlight of the show was the announcement of the Best Fashion Talent winner, which went to Gonoe. The jury praised their innovative approach to sustainability and creative use of materials. The award was presented by textile designer Juraj Straka, an honorary member of the jury. Winning the award brings Gonoe not only a financial reward but also new career opportunities, a year-long mentoring program, and other benefits.Dominika Kozáková received the Sustainable Fashion Talent award, presented by Corwin, the green developer partner of the award, for her ability to harmoniously combine creativity with ecological practices. Her use of deadstock materials and emphasis on craftsmanship demonstrate her deep understanding of ecological principles in fashion design.
“The selection process was meticulous, based on a sustainability questionnaire we developed according to sustainable fashion criteria. The selection was consulted with fashion history expert Dana Lapšanská, and we also took into account the criteria of our partner, the green developer Corwin,” added Zuzana Bobiková, Director of the Slovak Fashion Council. Never miss a beat in fashion, arts, beauty, and lifestyle, follow FAB L’Style Magazine.
The final award for the finalists was presented by the media partner of Best Fashion Talent, refresher.sk, recognizing a designer capable of resonating with the younger generation. Dominika Kozáková won the Refresher Fashion Talentaward for her bold, modern interpretation of traditional techniques, reflecting the mood and values of the contemporary youth. “Her designs are playful yet daring, just like her presence in the online space—key qualities for building a successful brand,” added Patrícia Pajtášová, a brand specialist from refresher.sk.
Collaborations That Defined the Second Evening of MBFL 2024
The second evening of fashion shows featured numerous established names, including collections born from unique collaborations. One of the most prominent was the partnership between the brand Ozeta and designer Marcel Holubec W., resulting in a collection inspired by the iconic black-and-white photography of Peter Lindbergh. The models, paying tribute to timeless tailoring craftsmanship, captivated with elegant silhouettes and intricate details that reflected natural beauty.
“Our first collaboration with designer Marcel Holubec W. represents a significant milestone for the Ozeta brand. The combination of Marcel’s creative signature with Ozeta’s traditional elegance brings a unique mix of innovation and quality craftsmanship, opening up new fashion trends and appealing to a younger audience,” said Marcela Kubranská, Ozeta’s marketing manager, about the collaboration.
Equally remarkable was the collaboration between Mária Štvrtecká and textile designer Juraj Straka. Her collection FRAG_ILITY explored societal polarization and the fragility of human relationships, reflected in original patterns and intricate fabric structures. The designer emphasized wearability, sustainability, and ethical production processes, using natural materials like wool, cotton, viscose, and silk, along with deadstock and GOTS-certified fabrics. Juraj Straka contributed hand-created patterns, digitally transferred to fabric, adding artistic value to the collection.
The brand freier, led by designer Terézia Feňovčíková, once again presented its characteristic raw design inspired by the street and its flexibility. Freier is known for experimenting with cuts and visual details, disrupted by creative styling. The collection Defectum, inspired by the film American Psycho, reflected contemporary forms of men’s fashion and societal themes. The seemingly perfect garments concealed hidden defects, symbolizing the distorted reality of social media and its staged perfection. This collection also featured a collaboration with Juraj Straka, whose original hand-drawn designs enriched the fabrics used in the creations.
Martin Hrča: Bridging Fashion and Art
To close the evening, Martin Hrča captivated the audience with his latest bridal collection, EDEN, featuring classic feminine silhouettes—dramatic and unforgettable. His modern twist on bridal fashion offered elegant gowns with youthful charm and bold couture details. Precise handcrafting and a touch of extravagance were emphasized by large stylized flowers and delicate textures, such as hand-applied floral motifs and voluminous skirts with ombre effects on the edges. The collection featured 16 models, created from a diverse array of materials, including jersey with woven-in lurex, lace, silk taffeta, crepe de chine, tulle, jacquard, and many more. Each model was built on sturdy corsets with large, voluminous skirts cut in circular and diagonal patterns, emphasizing feminine lines. The collection also stood out for its mastery of tailoring techniques, including lace composition, hand-applied arrangements, and numerous other details.
The men’s models offered a casual alternative to traditional attire, while maintaining elegance through minimalist approaches and simple lines.
“The inspiration from traditional costumes in the men’s models was more subconscious, not planned, but in the end, I felt it myself,” Hrča added.
This evening provided the audience with an inspiring glimpse into the future of fashion, where innovation, sustainability, and traditional craftsmanship intersect in the ever-changing world of contemporary design.
About Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live!
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live! began in 2013 under the name Fashion Live! as a response to the need for a new and dynamic fashion format in Slovakia. Over time, it has grown into a major platform for Slovak and Czech designers with international reach. Since its inception, MBFL has showcased the work of 83 designers and 93 fashion students.
As the only fashion event in Slovakia with global reach, MBFL! is part of the international network of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks, held in fashion capitals such as New York, Sydney, Madrid, Mexico City, and Prague.
Photo Credit: Artur Koff
