People claim that Vienna is not a city of fashion. Unlike Milan or Paris, it does not have a long standing Fashion Week tradition, and no presence of the world’s most popular designers. Nowadays, Vienna is bustling with its very own designers and new fashion, setting the mark for themselves both at home in Austria and overseas.
The life ball
The Life Ball, which takes place annually inside Vienna City Hall, is one of the biggest AIDS charity events in the world. The aim is to help affected people in an unconventional way and to fight
against the taboo status of HIV/AIDS in our society. Therefore, Life Ball is an amazing festivity that celebrates life and makes a loud statement in the fight against HIV and AIDS – resounding
across the boundaries of Vienna and Austria.
Celebrating the joy of life and the diversity of cultures, Life Ball unites the social tradition of the Viennese ball culture with opulence, extravagance, glamour, fancy performances as well as
emotional moments. Life Ball guests have always been encouraged to wear fancy, unusual outfits as creativity of style and costumes is part of the concept and contributes to the unique flair of
the event.
The fundraising from the Life Ball and its actions, which aim to raise donations for important aid projects, are significant and indispensable instruments that help to bring public discussion to the topic of AIDS and also to create awareness.
This year's theme was inspired by the ancient Roman festival "Ver Sanctum" or "Holy Spring", turning the neo-Gothic City Hall into a gold-drenched fantasy world with birds of paradise, angels and
Amazonian beauties. There were American celebrities included entertainer Paula Abdul and transgender model Carmen Carrera.
It's always been a very stylish event; there's an annual catwalk show curated by different designers including Diane von Furstenberg and John Galliano, and this year it was masterminded by Jean
Paul Gaultier, who showcased work from his 20-year-old career. Walking the runway for the French designer Jean Paul Gaultier is a blast but the show being planned during Life Ball was the cherry
on the cake.
Fashion for Europe
The collections of 14 international fashion designers took our breath away. Colourful , brilliant fashion was seen at the fashion show during opening ceremony of the Eurovison song contest on
Monday evening in the Town Hall Square in Vienna. The designers presented their latest creations here.
As a representative of the host country, designer Lena Hoschek started the fashion show. We could see her work – a brightly colored, patterned dress in summer style. The charming collection with
lots of lace, was shown by the Israeli label Galia Lahav. Eccentric hippie fashion was offered by Lithuanian Daily.
An Elegant dress in the black and white clothing line offered "Blessus" from Poland, these simple lines were replaced by the sparkling and glittering collection of Albanian Agnesa Vuthaj. The
Italian Calzedonia brought summer vibes. A Swimsuit collection was very well received by the audience. Lots of tulle and leather was seen in Belgian designer Bernard Depoorter. Romanian fashion
designer Adelina Ivan made shiny sneakers.
In tight jeans and rock style, fashion the house collection of Armenian Sinoian took place, followed by Finlish designer Ivana Helsinki who recieved attention with fabulous romantic,
glittering clothes. Extravagant cuts were shown by Montenegrin Sanja Matijevic and Swiss Julian Zigerli presented a men's collection with shiny coats. Azerbaijani designer Fakhriya Khalafova
preffered ethnic and paisley prints. As a final label from Germany - Michalský mixed high-society and fashionable evening wear.
This event had the motto "building bridges with fashion." It was an opportunity for designer participating countries to show their work to an international audience. "We look forward to offer to many fashion enthusiasts and visitors a varied program that shows that Europe has amazing fashion sense . Trends and fashion, which you can see on the streets and catwalks. " - Liliana Klein, who also organizes fashion events in Vienna.
by Linda Poláková
Year 1, Issue 2