Steve Barth
GEORGIAN FASHION RETURNS TO THE CATWALK WITH MBFW TBILISI
Georgian fashion is set to make a comeback with the 15th edition of MBFW Tbilisi, taking place from May 4 to 8. The event will showcase collections for the upcoming fall/winter season and will be held at the former Coca-Cola Factory in Tbilisi and at several historic locations around the capital. The event will also feature conferences, exhibitions, and panel discussions with a focus on innovation within the fashion and art scenes, both in Georgia and internationally. In addition to runway shows, Tchkonia, the entrepreneur spearheading the event, has organised Culture Week Tbilisi, a cultural festival focused on supporting the Ukrainian art scene in the face of the Russian invasion.
BENEXT DESIGN COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT
The event will feature the BeNext international design competition announcement of the 2023 winner, which was founded in 2010 and aims to provide “support, visibility, job opportunities and internships to young talents from around the world.” The Georgian Fashion Foundation, responsible for supporting the event, has promoted over 150 design projects over the past 15 years. Furthermore, the foundation has launched an initiative to offer training opportunities and collaborations with leading industry figures to local creatives as a means of providing financial and business support to Georgian representatives in the fashion, art, and creative industries.
ESTABLISHED DESIGNER AND BRAND PRIZE LAUNCH
The Georgian Fashion Foundation’s initiative aims to provide established designers and brands with the opportunity to receive training and collaborate with leading industry figures. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to “unlock the full potential of Georgia’s cultural and creative industries while embracing its cultural identity and heritage.”
PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MBFW TBILISI
The last physical edition of MBFW Tbilisi took place in late 2019 before the pandemic outbreak, featuring the participation of local brands such as Anouki, Blikvanger, Bessarion, Datuna, Aleksander Akhalkatsishvili, and even the Spanish brand Dominnico as part of an exchange partnership with MBFW Madrid.
CONCLUSION
MBFW Tbilisi is a significant event for the Georgian fashion industry, showcasing collections, promoting innovation and establishing financial and business support for Georgian representatives in the fashion, art, and creative industries. The event also supports Georgia’s cultural heritage and identity, providing the opportunity for international and national designers to showcase their creativity and talent.
