Sibiu, Romania - Feeric Fashion Week once again illuminated the city of Sibiu with its enchanting 16th edition, showcasing a harmonious fusion of creativity, avant-garde fashion displays, and exceptional hospitality. An extraordinary metamorphosis transpired as the future trajectory of Sibiu's fashion week evolved to incorporate an educational facet, a pivotal component that serves as a multifaceted platform for burgeoning talents worldwide. Hailing from diverse corners of the globe, spanning from India to Uzbekistan, the Balkans, and prestigious universities within the country, over 100 young designers converged at Feeric Fashion Week to unveil their collections, many of which were pinnacle projects representing their creative prowess, readying themselves to embark on the grand stage of the global fashion arena.

Commencing with two enlightening days dedicated to the theoretical discourse in fashion, Feeric Fashion Week unfolded a series of international workshops facilitated by luminaries in the industry such as Giovanni Otonello from IED - Istituto Europeo di Design, Italy; Donald Gjoka, founder of COEVAL Studio, a maven in artificial intelligence applications; Sara Sozzani Maino from Italy; and esteemed professors from the University of Westminster. In addition to exploring the depths of design, the budding designers delved into the financial and commercial aspects of the industry under the guidance of Roxana Băiaș from NEPI Rockcastle, enhancing their holistic understanding of the fashion ecosystem.

The magic of the fashion shows was nothing short of a visual symphony, as the Ukrainian Fashion Education Group students unveiled a token collection that transcended mere garments to tell a poignant story. Opening with a remarkable phone conversation between the students and Landiana, the vice president of Feeric Fashion Week, the presentation was unexpectedly interrupted by the stark sounds of an anti-aircraft alarm and falling projectiles nearby, infusing the setting with a raw intensity that underscored the resilience and spirit of these young creatives. Against the backdrop of the bunker in Promenada Sibiu, a location evocative of both history and struggle, the message conveyed by the Ukrainian students resonated deeply, echoing themes of perseverance and unwavering creativity.

Subsequent venues provided a theatrical canvas for the unfolding fashion narratives – from the majestic columned hall of the Brukenthal Museum, where two mesmerizing presentations captivated attendees, to the unconventional allure of Sibiu's newest park, the Belvedere Park, where models graced the irregular shapes of the bike pump track, merging nature with artistic expression in a seamless dance of creativity. The second day saw a dynamic shift to the Sibiu International Airport, where the innovative spirit of the University of Art and Design in Cluj shone through in a captivating showcase set amidst the arrivals terminal, infusing the space with an air of artistic flair and ingenuity.

As the fashion extravaganza unfolded, the Feeric caravan journeyed into uncharted territories, transforming spaces into immersive art galleries that blurred the lines between fashion and innovation. From the ethereal setting of Cinegold and the enchanting green garden within the Promenada mall, where the Synergia collection by designer Raluca Elena Cînean took center stage, to the adrenaline-fueled presentation at the Venom Karting track that seamlessly merged the elegance of clothing creations with the horsepower of electric go-karts, each locale served as a testament to the boundless creativity and ingenuity on display.

The grand finale at the iconic Boromir factory marked a mesmerizing culmination of the festival, with a new-age presentation in the flour mill, where designers from Croatia and the Republic of Moldova showcased their avant-garde creations, enlivening the space with a vibrant fusion of art and craftsmanship. Despite the unpredictability of weather, the Feeric Gala materialized into a mesmerizing showcase of talent, where the unwavering dedication of models and organizers persevered amidst rain-soaked runways, captivating the audience with collections from esteemed institutions worldwide and designers such as Daiana Stăncioiu, Maria Triantafillidou, and Elena Deaconu.

As the curtain fell on the 16th edition of Feeric Fashion Week, a profound sense of anticipation and promise lingered in the air, underscored by the burgeoning interest of esteemed faculties worldwide to partake in future editions of this illustrious event. The legacy of Feeric Fashion Week continues to evolve, transcending boundaries and inspiring a new generation of designers to push the envelope of creativity and redefine the very essence of fashion innovation.

““Beyond the show and the original, we prioritize continuity and, perhaps the most important objective of this edition, the coagulation of the community from more than 40 countries, which works as a whole. Through the commercial and exposure opportunities we offer designers, we manage to highlight the meaning of the Feeric project, which is to change the face of independent fashion in this region of the world. What we have accomplished in this edition shows us that we succeed””

— Mitichi, the president of Feeric Fashion Week