With current circumstances every industry is shook and uncertain about the future. Still, fashion never stops: whilst all the shows are frozen and the fundamental principles are rearranged, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi is still proving to be a crucial platform for supporting young and established Georgian designers. The next season of MBFWT will take place in an unprecedented new location in Tbilisi – the Art and Culture Center that will open in the ex-Coca-Cola factory building.
Industrial locations proved to be hospitable for artists and craftsmen for many years, welcoming cultural events and exhibitions. Which is why 27 000 square meters of the former factory are being repurposed and aimed to become a huge hub, connecting various types of arts, fashion and crafts, ready to host artists from all over the world, giving opportunities for photographers and aspiring designers to hold workshops or represent their work publicly in galleries. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi team is certain that such space has so much more to offer, which is why the Art and Culture Center will become the new home of the event held twice a year.
Originally scheduled to the beginning of a new Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi season in early May, the launch of the Art and Culture Center was postponed due to current circumstances, but by no means cancelled. When the restrictions are lifted all around the world, creative industry professionals will be faced with a strong need for change – and the cultural hub in Tbilisi could become a melting pot for ideas. Focusing on artists and encouraging them to share their work with the world is vital in the times of big reassessments. Sofia Tchkonia, founder and creative director of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi as well as the main driving force of the Art and Culture Center, found a way to maintain a favorable environment for creative minds to network, reconnect with colleagues and share their vision. With this approach, Tbilisi is destined to strengthen its position as one of the main local fashion weeks and cultural hubs and is on the way to become one of the world’s major fashion spots.
As a main fashion event in Georgia, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi successfully puts a spotlight on aspiring local designers. Inviting media and buyers from all around the world, it has been able to launch a number of brands that are now well-known, loved and represented in world’s leading retail chains and concept stores. Lado Bokuchava vibrant colors and strict silhouettes or Tatuna timeless minimalism, Situationist avant-garde power dressing or voluminous George Keburia lines – Georgian designers remain true to their unique and recognizable identity. Even though their FW20 shows have been postponed, their new collections are ready and prove to be just as inspirational, as always, making the upcoming fashion week season worth the wait.
Alexandre Akhalkatsishvili is never afraid to work with leather-like textures, proving them to be a legitimate part of an elegant wardrobe. With tailored silhouettes and natural fabriques, his pieces are designed to be one’s top style pick for many years.
ANOUKI is a Tbilisi-based brand, which was the first one in Georgia to be selected for Vogue Italia x Yoox The Next Talents contest. It is widely known for its classic silhouettes combined with unusual textures and hyperbolized details.
George Keburia is said to become the next Demna Gvasalia. With his preppy-meet-rave cuts and signature rectangular sunglasses he had already made it to all the major stockists and celebrity wardrobes.
Ingorokva is defined by its sharp silhouettes and redefined understanding of femininity. For Tamuna Ingorokva, modern woman is graceful yet powerful, and this vision is expressed in her sophisticated designs.
Lado Bokuchava started his namesake brand as a small knitwear manufacturing, which was soon to become a major Georgian fashion market player. Designer derives his inspiration from movies and books, bringing a 70’s vibe into his collections.
MATERIEL is a contemporary brand that brings together various designers who are willing to represent Georgian fashion heritage. With their very own take on classic, resident designers bring minimalism with a twist both to the runways and streets, making MATERIEL one of the most successful Georgian brands.
Irakli Rusadze of SITUATIONIST is a self-taught Tbilisi-based designer. Starting his journey in fashion at a tender age of 15, he made it to his first fashion week by 21. Rusadze fearlessly combines Georgian cultural heritage with avant garde designs, creating his very own forward-thinking vision.
TATUNA is a Georgian brand, well recognized for its extraordinary asymmetric cuts and luxurious high-class materials. For several seasons it is represented in Paris, Milan and Tokyo during fashion weeks.
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