Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian folk costumes from the Rhodopes inspire young European designers

Photo: BTA

Bulgarian national folk costumes from the Rhodope region inspired young European designers, finalists in the Open Space Foundation's Echo Academies project, BTA reported, citing Alma Communication.

In the recently concluded first stage of the project, there were participants from Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Turkey, Kosovo and Albania.
There are three finalists selected by the jury chaired by Prof. Lubomir Stoykov. 

Ilka Ahiu from Kosovo presented a collection with а Rhodope costume and felting as a technique. The Bulgarian designer Yordan Mihalev presented details of a Rhodope costume, but with a modern reading, and Jose Marie Sta Iglesia from the Netherlands was inspired by the decoration with braids and experimented with the shape of the costume. 

The young designers who make it to the final will be funded for production, with the criteria being innovative and interesting presentation of the theme and potential for their collection to be produced and worn. In the coming months, professionals from Cumedia (Belgium), Echo Academy Smolyan and a micro-organization from their countries of their choice will work with them

In 2024, the three designers will present their finished collections to the public, for which they must produce the outfits of the required quality and prepare a strategy for their presentation. Based on these requirements, all three collections will receive awards and cash prizes.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The demonic image of horse rider St. Todor in folk traditions

"In a vast region in northern Bulgaria, St. Todor is somehow perceived as a demonic character... He visited gatherings of unmarried girls, which were prohibited during that period; he acquired the appearance of a young bachelor, but distinguishable by..

published on 3/23/24 7:10 AM

Yambol immersed in the magic of the Kuker games

Thousands of cowbells of different sizes and shapes filled the streets of Yambol with chiming, jingling and ringing at the 25th International Masquerade Festival "Kukerlandia".  Згдшд  More than two thousand mummers - called kukeri, sourvakari,..

published on 3/17/24 4:16 PM

Martenitsas or Rhodope baynitsas – a symbol of hope for the good things to come

Martenitsas are one of the symbols of Bulgaria – regarded as the harbinger of spring and the end of darkness. Every year, on 1 March, Bulgarians, wherever they may be in the world, give friends and family the red-and-white tassels, as a token of..

published on 3/1/24 7:05 AM