In total, 18 designers will participate in the Riga Fashion Week program. Along with debutants, fashion shows will also be held by two designers from Lithuania - Laura Daili and Lilija Klim-Larionova, as well as from Latvia - Natālija Jansone, Iveta Vecmane, Una Bērziņa, Baé, Katya Katya, Verens, Anna Kruz, Studio MX and Sviests by Sergey Hatanzeisky. Separate presentations in various formats will also be represented by Treimane Studio (Latvia), Novaliss (Spain), Annaelizabete.Fashion and Lyuiize (Latvia) in the "Latvian Design Stories / Butterman" room.
Among the debutants of this season is the British-African designer Paul Williams, founder of the brand "Paul Williams Atelier". He attaches special importance to the participation in Riga Fashion Week, because the upcoming show in Riga is connected with the designer's personal story and the desire to present his creative path to a wider audience.
"Participating in Riga Fashion Week is an important point in a long professional journey for me. The brand "Paul Williams Atelier" was born from a personal experience of living between different cultures and searching for a sense of belonging. Moving from Nigeria to Great Britain had a significant impact on my creative work. The collection I will present in Riga reflects this experience, as well as the adaptation, identity and inner strength that people find when they start to rebuild their lives. It is important for me to share this story in an international environment and show, that fashion can convey memories, movement and personal experience,” shared designer Paul Williams.
Another debutant of the Riga Fashion Week, the founder of the "Hannes Rüütel" brand, designer Hannes Rītels, shared his expectations about participating in the international event.
"I chose Riga Fashion Week because participating in it gives the opportunity to become a part of a regional but at the same time open fashion community to the world. For the Hannes Rüütel brand, it is an important platform where bright design identity and the author's original approach are appreciated. I am most looking forward to the moment when the clothes come to life on the tongue of the fashion show and it will be possible to feel the atmosphere," said the designer.
Among the new members of the season is also the Spanish brand "A.Cont", which will present the "Sinapsis" collection on the RFW catwalk. Its concept addresses the theme of human connections and the parallels between artistic thinking and neuroscience. The work uses materials in their natural form, including raw mohair hand-transformed into strips and felt surfaces, as well as spun mohair and cotton. Individual elements are made of silicone, created with the help of catalysts.
The upcoming season of the Riga Fashion Week will bring together designers from different countries on the tongue of the fashion show, introducing new names and diverse authors' approaches to modern fashion. The shows will take place in two venues - in the "Verde" office complex and in the "Hanzas Perons" cultural space, where fashion week guests will be able to see the collections of the season's participants.
Main partners of Riga Fashion Week: "Livland", State Cultural Capital Fund, Riga City Council, Latvian Investment and Development Agency and Live Riga.