28 Oktober 2025 |
As the primary fashion stage in the Baltics, Riga Fashion Week has long represented a mirror for the region’s identity ー and this season, it felt like positioning itself as a space for regional self-definition.
Held in Riga from October 20 to 24, this season was framed as a “season of debuts,” presenting 12 first-time designers among brands from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Belgium and Uzbekistan. Yet, rather than erupting with newness, many of the collections felt like a quiet expansion ー a spark without ignition.
Although designers seemed less interested in spectacle, theatrics, or Instagram-baiting moments, most collections carried a sense of quiet assurance and moderation. Favouring wearability and elegance over disruption and excess can help shape a language of genuine simplicity — but it also leaves one wondering where experimentation might find its place. One exception was SVIESTS x SEXYSTYLE – a fashion project blurring fashion, music and performance art – which closed the week with provocative theatrics. While the staging delivered a shock factor, the fashion itself struggled to be heard.
The week appeared intentionally inward-facing: most attendees were Baltic, and casting leaned almost exclusively toward Baltic female models. This notably inward tone could be a product of infrastructure: unlike those hosted by the world’s fashion capitals, this fashion week is not supported by established trade networks that could attract global buyers or international press experts. As such, the event seems to function less as a commercial hub and more as a cultural platform — a role that carries its own significant value.
What grounded the week, however, was a clear commitment to quality and slow-fashion production. Across embellishment, embroidery, deconstruction and zero-waste techniques, the collections emphasised meticulous craftsmanship, cultural rootedness and sustainability that felt authentically embedded rather than performative.
There is a distinct voice taking shape here – quiet for now, but optimistically persistent. This raises an interesting question: is Riga Fashion Week cultivating a truly Baltic identity, or is that voice still quietly finding its form? Only time and the following seasons will tell.
We’ve selected 10 looks from the season that signal where Baltic fashion might be headed — rooted in conscious construction, emerging identity, but strong confidence.
Based in Lithuania, Kestas Rimszius for Kukla Beauty Box emerges from the creative hub of Kukla Beauty Box — a Vilnius-based beauty salon known as one of the most conceptually forward spaces in the Baltics, where fashion experts and trendsetters intersect. The collection plays with contrasts: silk, vibrant and black latex, faux fur and intricate embroidery shape a wardrobe that moves between confidence and subtle sensuality. Rimszius brings a sustainable twist to his practice by reworking fabrics from previous collections, giving new life to dresses that no longer fit the season’s vision.
Rooted in Uzbekistan and now in its fourth season at RFW, Moel Bosh centres its identity on handcrafted silk and traditional embroidery techniques, with a deep appreciation for Uzbek heritage. A standout piece is the violet silk velvet jacket — not printed, but entirely handworked to reveal the richness of the material and shaped into a distinctly feminine silhouette. The look is completed with a black hat, crafted from Uzbek silk velvet.
Looks from Szczygiel channel the designer’s love of hiking and Snowdonia’s landscapes through a palette of earthy tones and sharp, architectural lines. Crafted from recycled deadstock fabrics — including leather, vegan leather, linen and raw cotton — the pieces are hand-sewn by the designer herself, reflecting her commitment to small-scale, sustainable production. The structured silhouette connects nature’s raw forms with a futuristic sensibility, while subtle technical sportswear elements enhance functionality. Now in her fifth RFW season, following shows in Budapest and London, the designer continues to experiment with limited resources to push form and purpose forward.
Working almost exclusively with mohair, wool and silk — all sourced from European suppliers — brand Pohjanheimo prioritises long-lasting quality over seasonal trends. Each garment is designed to be both beautiful and practical, crafted to endure rather than disappear with the next fashion cycle.
Evoking dark and gothic tones, this look from Belgian label Yevseyev reimagines leather through an experimental approach. Made from deadstock material, the jacket was originally a dull grey hide, later treated with waxes and oils to achieve its rich patina. The result balances raw edge and refinement — a hand-finished piece that well captures the brand’s creative freedom.
Among the bridal-focused names this season, the Latvian label Amelii stands out with its “Bloom” collection, celebrating femininity with a soft yet striking elegance. Dramatic oversized roses crown the head and cover the sleeves, while flowing white immaculate fabrics shape a feminine silhouette. Unapologetically romantic!
Embassy of Fashion Atelier unites three Estonian designers under a slow fashion concept, presenting their collections in a single cohesive showcase. Among them, Ketlin Bachmann drew particular attention with dramatic pieces, enriched by cascading fringes and intricate decorative techniques.
Channelling the grandeur of Versailles and the lightness of ballet, Bae reimagines classical silhouettes with a modern touch. This look pairs a dramatic oversized bow at the front with a flowing long dress in soft pastels, creating an elegant yet playful statement — perfect for witty moments of celebration.
