Fashion as a cultural dialogue - Hungarian fashion designers in Zagreb

The Hungarian Cultural Centre in Zagreb Liszt Institute, hosted Meet the Designer on April 21, 2026, bringing four Hungarian designers to a Croatian audience: Boglárka Bódis (Elysian Atelier), Erika Kovács (KE Fashion), and Erika Varga and Helena Varga (Romani Design).

Boglárka Bódis, founder of Elysian Atelier, is known for her refined, feminine aesthetic. She gained international attention after winning the Triumph Inspiration Award in 2011, competing against designers from more than 30 countries. Her work later entered global commercial production. In 2015, she was named Designer of the Year at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Her brand blends minimalism with soft, romantic details, offering everything from ready-to-wear pieces to wedding dresses.

Erika Kovács of KE Fashion presented TERrA, a collection rooted in nature. Her process begins with creating artworks from wood, peat, and leaves, which she then transforms into textile patterns. These appear on silk, organic linen, and cotton, often paired with hand-crocheted flowers and small bee motifs. She also uses 3D digital customization to tailor designs to the individual. The collection had its world premiere on the eve of Earth Day.

Romani Design, founded in 2010 by Erika Varga and Helena Varga, draws on Roma cultural heritage and reinterprets it through contemporary fashion. For over a decade, the brand has challenged stereotypes while expanding its work through exhibitions, education, and international collaborations

The event was led by Institute director Anna Mladenovics and her team, with designer Robert Sever hosting the evening.

In her opening speech, Ms. Mladenovics highlighted that the event was about more than fashion. It was about identity, dialogue, and strengthening ties between Hungary and Croatia. As she noted, fashion, like art and sport, connects people beyond language and politics. The choice of designers reflected this vision, showing how different perspectives can shape the future of design.