Cracow Fashion Week 2025: fashion, passion, and vision. Cracow will reclaim its status as the Polish fashion capital on March 23, 2025! The closing presentation of Cracow Fashion Week was held in the spectacular setting of the Aviation Museum, which added a distinct character and solemn tone to the occasion. In this year’s event, up to 50 SAPu alumni were given the opportunity to present their own collections, but only 15 advanced to the finals.
Diversity and individualism
What set this year’s show apart? First and foremost, there was no single prevailing trend; rather, each collection reflected the designer’s personality and vision. Natalia Dziedzic’s “Indian Summer” collection was one of the more modest suggestions. Coherence, elegance, and a modest color palette distinguished her works as new interpretations of classics.
Those that emphasized uniqueness and innovation, on the other hand, wowed the audience with their imagination. Klaudia Chowaniec was inspired by Iceland’s organic landscapes and used 3D printing technology to produce her unusual purses. This is an excellent illustration of how current technology can complement fashion.
Collection of the year: fashion with a message
Anna Biel received the “Collection of the Year” award for her extremely emotive piece “The Process of Psychotherapy”. Her works are symbolic representations of emotions and the search for oneself. Biel mixed high couture with fabric manipulation and crocheting to create metaphorically charged clothing. The jury unanimously agreed that this is just the type of fashion we require today: daring, emotive, and thought-provoking. The collection also got the “Media Council Distinction,” highlighting its distinctiveness and artistic merit.
A journey through sky and time
Mateusz Kazimierowski’s “Cloud 9” collection was one of the most unique designs. Inspired by vintage flying machines, the collection was converted into futuristic yet nostalgic silhouettes. The prominent hues, blue, pink, and orange, represented the sky and sunsets, while the juxtaposition of rigid and airy textiles gave the sensation of floating in the air. The designer was praised for his inventiveness and vision, proving that fashion is the art of storytelling.
Sporty elegance and haute couture
This year, there was also plenty of inspiration from athletics and functionality. The Strima brand and 4F awarded Zofia Barszczowska for her “SKIAZ” collection, which combines the elegance of 1980s Alpine ski resorts with modern avant-garde. The collection seamlessly integrates into 4F’s winter marketing, confirming its economic potential.
Emilia Wilczewska, in turn, received acclaim from the Feeric Fashion Week organizers, paving the way for her worldwide career.
What do the jury members have to say about Cracow Fashion Week?
We asked Tomasz Bielka, a photographer who was on the jury and has worked with our magazine for numerous years, about his impressions on this year’s edition:
I had the honor of serving on the Media Council again at Cracow Fashion Week. This year’s graduation show had dozens of shows, the authors of which performed at an extraordinarily high level. The works and the embellishments that accompanied them looked fantastic in the scenery of the Aviation Museum’s main structure, which translated into unusual backstage views that I adore above all else. It is really tough to choose the finest project unanimously from such a large collection.
The top prize was granted by the Media Council to Anna Biel’s collection “The Process of Psychotherapy”. The symbolic representation of human emotions during mental catharsis utilizing materials and the skillful application of crocheting could not be overlooked. The theme, which is of course incredibly relevant and vital in society, was masterfully portrayed in the form of a chronological drama set on the fashion catwalk. The designer made excellent use of black’s sinister possibilities, beginning the show with a ghostly silhouette and finishing with idyllic and softly waving white on the model’s torso.
Two important collections could not escape my notice. First and foremost, Zofia Barszczowska’s “SKIAZ” collection features styles that combine Alpine resort fashion with modern avant-garde forms. Authorial balaclavas and distinctive fabric colors are a mix that snowboarders who listen to trap deserve, and I would dress Travis Scott on a Japanese slope without hesitation.
Natalia Dziedzic’s “Indian Summer” serves as a contrast to the avant-garde indicated above. The collection, inspired by a country house and beautiful craftsmanship, transported me to such an ideal setting that I felt like I was reaching for Eliza Orzeszkowa’s “Nad Niemnem” for the first time. Natural lace, wooden details, upcycling, and designer jewelry make up a stunning combination that merits a lot of attention from the charming birch woodland.
I get the idea that in Poland, there is some peculiar affliction to hide one’s small-town and rural background, when in other nations, the contrary is true. In the world’s fashion capitals, I’ve frequently heard folk dialects and industry professionals who are simply proud of their utterly rural upbringing. It is a good thing that there are fewer and fewer “native Warsaw women” born in the depths of Podlasie, and the quality of the Krakow fashion school is continually improving.
Cracow on the fashion map of the world
Cracow Fashion Week 2025 demonstrated once again that the Krakow fashion scene has enormous promise. SAP graduates have demonstrated that they can design commercial and artistic collections on par with those from Milan, Paris, and London. Will Cracow Fashion Week evolve into a global event in the future? Looking at this year’s level, everything points to it!
Photographers: Tomasz Bielka, Stanisław Wielopolski
