LJUBLJANA FASHION WEEK: THE NEW DAWN OF THE UNFILTERED AESTHETIC

Backstage at LJFW photographed by Anja Smaka

The 16th edition, held from October 16-19, 2025, wasn’t just a platform; it was a potent symbol of responsibility, cultural depth, and self-confident boutique identity. This season, the narrative was clear: designers are daring to delve deep into history, technology, and the raw, unedited impulses of the human condition.

DAY ONE: THE PRIMAL PULSE OF FASHION

Day One kicked off with JSP, whose WO/MAN collection blurred gender lines, focusing on layering and contrasting materials to reflect both strength and vulnerability. Ana Jelinič X Katja Magister followed, presenting EMBRACES, a narrative about subtle expression where the bow serves as a powerful symbol of tenderness, woven into considered cuts and elegant silhouettes.

THINGS I MISS transported us immediately into a sensory journey with their INSTINKT – BLOOM (IN) work-in-progress presentation. Tina Princ’s vision explores instinct as a primal force and the cyclical nature of life through the coexistence of the body with sound, rhythm, and colour. True to the brand’s mission, this collection focuses on organic textures, especially those created from recycled materials, advocating for a conscious vision of a second skin and existence here and now.

Things I Miss.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

THINGS I MISS backstage at LJFW photographed by Anja Smaka

Next, ANSELMA ŠTOFF redefined collaboration with iN 2O25, a collective effort demonstrating the paramount importance of unity and ethical practices. The entire collection was meticulously crafted exclusively from deadstock materials sourced directly from the Anselma ŠTOFF store, a unique repository of materials often described as a “sewing museum”. Five distinct design labels (Kiss the future, Volja, Monostalgik, Sampled, Made in Anselma) utilized this resource, proving that vintage fabrics and contemporary design can merge through teamwork.

Anselma Stoff.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Anselma Stoff.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

The show continued with Barbara Vrbančič, whose Embroidered Story featured floral motifs juxtaposed with raw seams for the urban woman, followed by the bold, democratic fashion statement of the LIDL COLLECTION, which challenged consumers to throw away prejudices and see fashion as style liberation rather than a status symbol.

The cross-cultural collaboration with BCEFW Collective Show brought vibrant new energy from Budapest:

• FANNILSZL presented the 2nd coming of the weirdocore. Designer Fanni László’s collection embraced the persona of the GORGEOUS WEIRDO, defined by exaggerated proportions, unusual taste, and textile experimentation, boldly challenging conventional notions of beauty and Eastern European aesthetics, even touching upon themes like viral fashion and AI.

BCEFW Collective Show.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

• VALENTIN SZARVAS unveiled Bújj-bújj zöld ág (Hide, Hide Green Branch), a deeply conceptual collection centered on the idea of escape, inspired by ongoing wars. Using transparent, lightweight white base fabrics, the garments narrate fragile yet hopeful stories of departure and presence, translating draping experiments into frozen forms.

BCEFW Collective Show.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

• WINNA, founded by Nina Nemes, championed the reuse and valorisation of existing materials. Her work, including the vector scale collection, focuses on creative upcycling entirely from fashion industry waste (gamps, traditionally used for color testing) to create long-lasting, multifunctional pieces that reflect individual complexity.

BCEFW Collective Show.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

The evening concluded with SANIJA REJA ASKE X SOFIANOGARD, presenting SISI, a collection that captures the restlessness of a queen trapped in a “golden cage”. It blends royal splendor with hidden rebellion, featuring draperies that embrace the body but are cut through with details that breathe freedom. The unique clothing pieces by Aske were complemented by accessories from Sofianogard, a brand dedicated to transcending time constraints and trends. We also saw Nika Ravnik’s award-winning zero-waste collection Geometry of Feeling and Pia Šilec’s Cyclicality of Clothing, a one-size-fits-all approach inspired by Marlene Dietrich.

Sanija Reja Aske x Sofianogard.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Sanija Reja Aske x Sofianogard.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 1.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
16.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

DAY TWO: THE ARCHITECTS OF REFINEMENT

The second day showcased meticulous craftsmanship and innovative material science.

MAJA ŠTAMOL presented Coat Simphony, where each piece offered a “melody of elegance, uniqueness, and comfort”. This collection of overcoats and capes focused on timeless cuts and expert tailoring, positioning the coat as the indispensable tone of the modern woman’s wardrobe. Other key mentions included Patricia Pie’s monochromatic SYMPHONIA, incorporating sustainable materials like fully biodegradable lotus fiber and orange peel fabrics, and Renata Bedene’s richly layered HERBARIUM, which preserves the magic of nature through flowing printed silks and relief patterns.

Maja Stamol.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 2.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
17.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

TIMOTEJ BISTAN delivered “Out of Office”, designing for the urban woman who is “everywhere except at work” in her mind. The brand unites extravagant aesthetics with urban functionality, celebrating strength and confidence through thoughtful tailoring that redefines comfort using the sophistication of business fashion. We saw innovative collaborations like PRINCIP for AKINORACELIN, using seawater from Ankaran to dye fabric for their Light In the Heart collection, alongside Mass’s showcase of Fall/Winter footwear, highlighting retro sneakers and Apres-ski boots.

Timotej Bistan.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 2.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
17.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Timotej Bistan.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 2.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
17.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

The Heineken Select show celebrated the “From Waste to Beauty” ECO competition, proving sustainability is high fashion. NATASAHRUPIC followed with By all Points, exploring connection and human interaction through material space and nascent silhouettes. Simona Kogovšek’s The Red Thread collection was a statement for peace, merging military shades with the lightness of butterfly motifs.

The evening culminated with LAN KREBS and his singular exploration of SINGLE JERSEY. Krebs rejects the idea of jersey as simple, transforming machine-made tubular knits into dynamic, expressive, and sculptural forms through pleating and hand gathering. The core concept challenges convention: each garment is intentionally open-ended, lacking a defined front, back, inside, or outside, inviting interpretation and play.

Lan Krebs.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 2.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
17.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Lan Krebs.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 2.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
17.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

DAY THREE: ARMOUR, HERITAGE, AND THE FUTURE OF GENDER

Day Three was a relentless exercise in boundary pushing, starting with DRAŽ and the stunning FRAGILE collection. Created in collaboration with Steklarna Rogaška, the collection initiated an artistic dialogue between glass and knitwear, translating cut crystal motifs into textile structures. DRAŽ views human vulnerability as a source of strength, using modern digital tools and artificial intelligence alongside traditional craftsmanship to create durable garments that the brand even offers to reconstruct if a customer stops wearing them.

Draz.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Draz.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

The mood lightened with MEDLE’s Studio Opereta 1985, an ode to the confident, playful woman. Inspired by the 1980s, the collection features bold color patterns, standout outerwear, and distinctive masculine tailoring elements, where fun reigns and fashion is a space without rules.

Medle.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Medle.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Next, SPILL THE T. / TIA KRAŠOVEC brought the rebellious spirit with Tatemae (建前), inspired by the hidden artistry of Japanese manhole covers, cultural memory disguised as utility. This raw aesthetic collides with the fearless critique of Vivienne Westwood, manifesting as functional, unapologetically bold armour for the modern street, transforming reclaimed industrial steel into sculptural ornaments.

Heritage met modernity with BRENCHA’s ROZETA collection, which links traditional Slavic motifs, including lacework and geometric patterns, with clean silhouettes suitable for effortless everyday wear, reminding us of the enduring worth of thoughtful craft.

Spill the T.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Spill the T.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

M N K C L followed with the intimate and quietly distinctive aesthetic of SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW. Designer Monika Colja drew heavily from her family archive, specifically the delicate heritage of her grandmother’s Idrijan lace, exploring themes of age, fragility, and quiet evolution, relying on instinct and using upcycling and deadstock fabrics.

M N K C L.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

M N K C L.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

LUDUS presented Decalog, the tenth chapter in their ongoing Post-gender series. Ludus is a sustainable Macedonian brand dedicated to ethical design practices, focusing on natural monofibers, plant dyeing, and zero-waste production. Decalog honours artisanal crafts by recontextualizing them into contemporary, genderless silhouettes, subtly moving beyond the brand’s signature monochromaticity.

Ludus.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

The Belgrade Fashion Week Collective Show introduced three compelling voices, including ALEKSANDAR LATINOVIĆ (no rich parents). His LIFE POINTS/2000 collection is a vibrant, autobiographical story, directly inspired by the visual universe of the post-millennial card game Yu-Gi-Oh!. Latino’vić uniquely blends streetwear with heritage, reworking traditional crochet motifs into tactile collages and emphasizing upcycling and experimentation.

BFW Collective Show.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

ÆMONA captivated with PANTSA RHEI. Drawing on the philosophical concept that everything flows and nothing remains untouched by change, the collection poses the idea that “You cannot step into the same pants twice,” reflecting the constant evolution of identity, consciousness, and the relationship with oneself.

Other bold showings included Ponorelii (glamourous streetwear), Jona Bednjanec (playful knitwear riot), JKH Identity X Ana Cajhen (VERONIKA, merging Slovenian mythology and liberation with straw headpieces), Matic Veler (IN THE VEINS OF MARBLE, garments as textile sculptures), and Martin Kaluža (Apocalypse Afterparty, techno subculture, rust-dyeing). The presentations wrapped up with Tanja Zorn, celebrating 30 years of her brand.

Aemona.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Aemona.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 3.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
18.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

DAY FOUR: FINALE AND THE NEW CLASS

Day Four commenced with the NT Fashion Show (NTF), showcasing the student collections from the University of Ljubljana’s Department of Textiles, Graphic Arts and Design, emphasizing innovative technologies and sustainable practices at the Chair of Textile and Fashion Design. Petja Zorec followed with LOVEN, exploring universal images and anti-stardom, along with Almirasadar’s collection Within the Grove, which highlighted traditional Slovenian handwork and craftsmanship through layered silhouettes.

NTFashion Show.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 4.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
19.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

NTFashion Show.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 4.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
19.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

The week closed with a powerful statement from SARI VALENCI, the worthy winner of the overall LJFW WOW award. Her collection, MERINGUE, was a subversive, joyous spectacle, playing with inflated forms that exaggerate the human silhouette into grotesque yet seductive shapes resembling oversized cakes and pastries. This visual slip between fantasy and reality, rooted in urban youth culture, creates a distinctive, unforgettable narrative.

Sara Valenci.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 4.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
19.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

Sara Valenci.
LJFW, Ljubljana Fashion Week, Day 4.
Ljubljana, Slovenia.
19.10.2025
Foto: © Jure Makovec / LJFW

From the playful, gender-fluid layering of JSP’s WO/MAN collection to ÆMONA’s conceptual meditation on constant change in PANTSA RHEI, the designers of LJFW showcased an unwavering desire to create outside conventional structures.

LJFW is establishing itself as a vital space where creativity, sustainability, and quality come together, proving that Slovenian fashion is making an undeniable mark on the global stage. In a world of fleeting moments, these creators are building legacies. We’re watching the evolution happen in real time, and trust us: this story is ever evolving.