Brand name: Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution,Kaunas, Lithuania
Designer name: Alina Kusaitė
Instagram tag: @k.alina
The inspiration behind this collection stems from the profound connection between human and bee life, a bond I observed and cherished during my childhood. Growing up, I spent my summer holidays in a village, visiting my grandparents. My grandpa, a dedicated beekeeper, became a figure of admiration for me. His deep connection with bees, his meticulous care, and the wonders that these small creatures provided left a lasting impression on me. Fascinated by the intricate ways bees communicate and coexist, I was captivated by their ability to create illusions through their hive structures and their mesmerizing dance patterns. This collection seeks to embody that magical interplay between the tangible and the illusory, drawing inspiration from the harmonious and intricate world of bees.
The collection employs a thoughtful selection of materials, including wool, cotton, viscose, polyester, and organza. Each fabric was chosen for its unique properties to complement the theme of the collection. Wool and cotton offer a natural, breathable quality, ensuring comfort and durability. Viscose and polyester provide versatility and resilience, contributing to the structure and flow of the designs. Organza, with its transparent and light nature, adds an ethereal quality, capturing the delicate and intricate essence of bee life. These fabrics, characterized by their transparency, lightness, and draping quality, are meticulously selected to maintain the structural integrity of the designs while evoking the graceful and illusionary movement inspired by the dance of bees.
This collection features distinctive and innovative design elements that bring together intricate craftsmanship and thematic coherence. A notable example is using the traditional Shibori technique in one model design, infusing cultural heritage into modern fashion. Another standout piece is a black short dress, meticulously crafted from over 400 meters of fabric strips, forming more than 1000 hand-made loops, exemplifying the labor-intensive artistry of the collection. The collection also includes two outfits with hand-crafted honeycomb patterns, reflecting the natural geometric precision of bee hives and adding depth and texture to the garments. Intricate folding techniques are employed in two dresses, contributing a dynamic and sculptural element that enhances the visual appeal. The tailored suits for women are another key feature, particularly one jacket that incorporates a distinctive bullet bra, merging vintage aesthetics with contemporary design elements. One of the most striking pieces in the collection is a voluminous, sculptural outfit made from layers of patterned fabric. This design captures the fluidity and complexity of bee movement, with undulating layers that create a mesmerizing visual effect, reminiscent of a bee’s intricate dance. Overall, the collection’s unique details and features, such as hand-crafted elements, traditional techniques, and innovative structural designs, highlight the meticulous craftsmanship and creative inspiration drawn from the enchanting world of bees.
We live in a world where man and nature merge into a harmonious whole. The life of bees becomes not only an inspiration but also an important symbiotic relationship in which man plays a crucial role. This collection views beekeeping through the prism of illusion, where each design, with the help of illusion, conveys the life of bees. The pieces illustrate the beauty and complexity of bee life, emphasizing the delicate balance and profound connection shared between humans and bees.
Brand name: Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution,Kaunas, Lithuania
Designer name: Dovilė Deveikytė
Instagram tag: @deveikyte_dovile
The collection is inspired by a girl living with schizophrenia and her emotional struggle with her inner demons. These demons are creations of her mind, but they act so realistically that it seems as if they are trying to break through her body, to break free from the shackles of her own consciousness. Each garment in this collection is like an expression of that struggle between a girl and her obsessed body, between reality and fantasy.
Collection fabrics, materials: Knitwear, mesh, organza, wool with cotton, crinoline, batting. One dress was done with a framework to hold its shape and clothes were also embroidered with threads.
Through these clothes, the collection tells the story, the entanglement, the struggle, the attempt to free oneself from the demons.
Brand name: Academia de Muzica, Teatru și Arte Plastice, Chisinau, Republica Moldova
Designer name: Olari Cezara
Instagram tag: @olarucezara
The collection is inspired by dreams, the infinite space of our mind where we can be truly ourselves.
The outfits are made of cotton, viscose and linen.
The clothes contain unevenly extended embroidery on all garments. These are images of dream scenes that have symbolic connotations. The embroideries were made on the sewing machine, imitating the hashes of various sizes and shapes: linear, circular, elongated, interrupted.
The idea of the collection was designed to offer this freedom in movement, in thinking, in search of one’s own dreams and in dreaming with open eyes.