I was invited to attend the international conference organized in connection to Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland in Łódź. The conference was held in Łódź's amazing Andel's Hotel, located in the Manufactura neighborhood, a huge, former industrial complex. The city of Lodz used to be the capital for Polish textile industry until the major factories closed down during 90's. In recent years the city is recovering with great initiatives like the Fashion Philosophy Fashion Week Poland, Łódź design festival and the impressive Manufactura. It is now considered as "the place to be" and as the avant-garde cultural capital of the country.
Yes!!! Polish fashion emerges, there is room for improvement but there is loads of potential in the scene. The international conference 'Promotion of Polish Fashion Industry on the International Market' gave more insight in the general development and possibilities of the Polish fashion industry.
The schedule of the fashion week offers a broad and rather full program with shows from established and 'celebrity' designers, emerging talents, Off -Schedule program, showrooms, young fashion photographers' exhibitions and parties.
Almost all catwalk collections were wearable. Not many were as strong though. My personal favorites were from emerging designers like Ima Mad, Magdalena Kubalanca, Piotr Drzał, Kamila Gawronska-Kasperska and graduates from Łódź Art Academy ASP. Above all was the collection of Mads Dinesen, who showed on behalf of Not Just A Label.
It seemed that he general attention went more to established labels though it was young designers really stole the show. At last I have to mention and thank the initiators of the conference and the fashion week for the warm hospitality and good organization. It could not have been a better occasion for me to visit Poland, attending the conference and Fashion Week in Łódź.
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The Netherlands
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