FD at LJFW: from first appearances to graduation collections—and applause to remember
Some days stay with us a little longer. For our Fashion and Textiles students, Saturday, 10 October, was certainly one of them. At Ljubljana Fashion Week, they presented their creations, filled the runway with ideas and energy, and experienced that special moment when work developed in classrooms and studios comes to life in front of an audience.
For some, this was their first appearance at LJFW. And their first applause of this kind for something they had created themselves. For an idea that, not so long ago, existed only as a sketch. For a garment they had assembled, taken apart and adjusted more than once. For all those hours of research, learning and perseverance that remain unseen on the runway, yet are woven into every creation.
And as we watched, we could not help thinking: yes, those are our students.
The show brought together different stages of their creative development, from first-year projects and mini collections to final-year and graduation collections. Recycled denim took on new forms, architecture found expression in garments and headpieces, personal memories came to life in knitwear, and Lexus automotive design inspired new fashion interpretations. Alongside them unfolded stories about identity, desire, individuality and our relationship with the world.
So many different perspectives, united by the courage to share them.
The participating students were Lucija Katavič, Eva Dormiš, Tjaša Grandovec, Laila Mustafa, Neja Brodar, Maruša Kroflič, Núria Galarza Requena, Natalija Likar, Álvaro Hernando Castillo, Maša Borštnar, Patricia Zore, Minea Lipovšek, Erisa Šabanaj, Ana Ficko, Enja Eržen, Karolina Cecilija Krstaš, Una Loštrek, Maja Krebelj, Julij Mlakar, Kaja Pevec, Teja Lampe, Lana Bedenik, Lia Nikolić Dobec, Hana Krnc, Klara Gimpelj Domjanič, Nika Pišljar, Ema Novak, Ela Pušnik, Klara Boban, Anja Krmelj, Liza Julija Gerželj and Nina Justin.
Our graduates Špela Perc, with BOUND IN BLUE, and Ulla Podnar, with Fragmenti, also held a special place in the show, presenting their distinctive creative visions through their graduation collections.
Throughout the process, the students were guided by their mentors: Professor Matea Benedetti, Associate Professor Dr Tanja Devetak, Assistant Professor Almina Duraković Korošec, Senior Lecturer Dr Tea Hegeduš, Senior Lecturer Martina Šušteršič and Teaching Assistant Nika Ravnik, with technical support from Lidija Rotar. Associate Professor Metod Črešnar and Teaching Assistant Anja Medle also contributed styling for selected presentations, while Urša and Tomaž Draž mentored Lana Bedenik’s knitwear work at Center Rog.
And, of course, we had a little fashion week of our own backstage. A moment of panic here, a little drama there, a last-minute adjustment and the occasional need for a quick solution when something did not quite go to plan. A few deep breaths, plenty of teamwork and a timely “come on, we can do this” made all the difference. Then came the runway, the music, the audience and the applause. Everything came together. And it was a lovely moment.
Our sincere thanks go to the entire team at Zavod LJFW—every single person involved—for organising and bringing the event to life, and for all the work that makes an occasion like this possible. Thank you to everyone in the audience and behind the scenes who helped create a day filled with energy, encouragement and a shared love of fashion.
Special congratulations also go to our teaching staff who presented their own brands and collections at LJFW: Professor Matea Benedetti with Benedetti Life, Teaching Assistant Anja Medle with medle, and Teaching Assistant Nika Ravnik with Nika Ravnik. It is wonderful to see their creative practice and mentorship come together at the same event, each contributing in its own way to Slovenia’s vibrant fashion scene.
To every single person who presented their work at LJFW: our heartfelt congratulations. We are delighted to see so many members of our faculty community actively contributing to the Slovenian fashion scene, bringing such a variety of ideas and approaches—and, above all, we celebrate the people behind it all.
To our students and mentors, thank you for such an energetic fashion show, for the wonderful atmosphere and for all the moments that sent us home smiling. We are so proud of you. May that applause echo a little longer.
Photos: LJFW/ Jure Makovec
