Paris, London, Milan…Cracow

    Paris, London and Milan are still undeniably the fashion capitals of Europe, but other cities are catching up and hosting successful and noticeable fashion events which showcases young talent. Cracow is quickly becoming the epicenter of young, chic and newly emerging fashion. This is attracting aspiring designers. Cracow the city widely known as the Polish capital of art and culture has already been listed as one of the world’s 25 fashion centers. 
Cracow is playing an important role in Polish fashion agenda. The city hosts several significant events such as Cracow Fashion Awards, organized by the Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design and Cracow Fashion Week where new talents are discovered.

     Presenting your work during fashion competitions is important, and winning one is a dream for each designer. Cracow Fashion Awards is known for having helped young designers such as already acclaimed names as Elwira Horosz and Peggy Pawlowski launch their careers. Their designs range from flirty and feminine at Horosz to loose and bohemian at Pawlowski, and both of them put a lot of effort in making their collection look perfectly crafted and desirable to wear. Pawlowski’s “Gavroche” collection quickly came to the attention of both fashion press and the educational establishment. Her talent and unique collection were rewarded not only on the national level – “Golden Thread” during competitions in Łodź, but also international – the Grand Prix at the 9th Annual Competition for Young Fashion Artists and Designers “Habitus Baltija” which took place in Riga in April 2009. In the same competition, Magdalena Smielak’s collection “Deconstruction” won her first place in the category for “Avant-Garde Fashion of High Artistic Value.” The competition brought together 39 aspiring designers from ten fashion schools from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, England and Poland.

      Magdalena Smielak, Grażyna Łoboda, Małgorzata, Grzywnowicz & Małgorzata Węgiel are students who graduated this year and whose collections „turned heads” at Cracow Fashion Awards. Magdalena Smielak is one of the students who chose to make use of recycled materials. The clothes Smielak design are extensions of her personality – they represent freedom, bravery and concern for the environment. Inspired by economic and environmental issues her designs are living proof that nothing is too shabby to be used again. Consequently we gets a classic menswear jackets or a pair of trousers transformed into oversized and mulitlayer womenswear. The idea of deconstructing traditional clothing is also familiar to other designers such as Grzywnowicz & Węgiel, whose collection ”Phantas Magoria” is an example of  not accepting the conventional idea of what a jacket or skirt should look like. The collection follows a strong and expressive color palette-                                                                                                            the lines are edgy, original and unlike anything seen before. Influenced by the Polish ’80s rock scene the duet’s unique sense of matching contrasting colors, fabrics and shapes results in complex clothes for people who are not afraid to make a statement. Although the collection might be perceived as exuberant, overloaded with different colors and patterns it still maintains softness and wearability. The accessories which complete the collection, like the oversized bags, are not only stylish but also very practical. ”Phantas Magoria” style can be summed up as modern, young and funky.

     The winner of the Cracow Fashion Awards for The Best Collection ‘09 Grażyna Loboda takes an unconventional approach to fashion. Named as one of the most promising talents by the jury of the 8th Annual International Talent Support in Italy, her collection “Constructing the Space” has received much recognition. Without being complicated or unfeminine the crips, tight and angular silhouettes are the Laboda signature. She makes clothes that can also function as new geometrical forms, as strong architectural influences are visible in her designs. Believing that things do not have to be complicated to be beautiful Laboda designs clothes simply and minimally all set in one muted tones color palette. Each piece of the collection is a single masterpiece with great accuracy to detail and a finishing touches. With her collection Laboda confronts the classic silhouette and traditional womenswear by transforming them with her unique sense of construction and sculpture, combining different textures such as soft wools and jerseys. The clothes she makes often look new and innovative even to the most experienced fashion experts.

     Each and every season at fashion shows organized by Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design creativity, freshness and sea of new talents are revealed, attracting the  attention of the press and the fashion industry establishment.  Since 1989, the school has launched ever more students who have entered the fashion world. The graduates selling-point lies in their ability to put their own passion and personality into their designs.

      The School’s two and a half year programme introduces students to the essential skills of fashion and textile design from the sketchpad to the catwalk. It covers topics such as design, textiles, fashion illustration, garment construction and garment styling. There are separate workshops for life drawing, colour study, painting, jewellery design, textile technology, accessories including millinery and shoe design, fashion photography and history of fashion.
Central to the School’s philosophy is the concept of artist teacher. All teaching staff are employed part-time so they are able to pursue their professional careers alongside their teaching. This system ensures that the students are taught by a variety of individuals who offer different perspectives. All teachers place a high value on entrepreneurship, determination and the students’ willingness to look at the chosen subject with a fresh eye and an enquiring and critical  mind.

     When asked students confess that fashion design is their true calling and The School’s programme is helping them develop their creativity, release hidden talents and develop their diligence.

      Graduates of the Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design go on to enjoy fulfilling careers in many different aspects of the fashion industry, from running cutting-edge boutiques to working in large international enterprises. Many also set up their own workshops, and achieve independence and respect as professionals, sell- ing their unique skills and work. This year, the Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design will open its doors to international students, offering them attractive conditions of admission. While all art and fashion workshops are conducted in Polish, English may be used to communicate with teachers and other students.