Fashion design in dialogue with art.
How close can fashion and the visual arts come to one another? This is the question addressed by the ‘5+5 / art+fashion’ project, organised by the Bulgarian designer platform IVAN ASEN 22, which, through two exhibitions, re-explores the boundaries between the two disciplines and creates a space for creative dialogue.
At the heart of the project is the ‘5+5 / art+fashion’ exhibition, which serves as an experimental platform linking contemporary art and fashion design. Rather than viewing the two fields in isolation, the project regards them as equal forms of artistic expression. The aim is to develop a new visual language in which art and fashion inspire one another and merge into new forms of creative expression.
The exhibition kicked off at the Sofia Arsenal – Museum of Contemporary Art. Leading contemporary artists and fashion designers from different generations and stylistic traditions collaborated in teams where all members had equal creative input. The result was a series of installations developed specifically for the museum space, which impressively brought to life the dialogue between visual art and fashion.
From 4 June to 19 July 2026, the second part of the project is realised as part of a salon exhibition organised by the concept design platform ‘IVAN ASEN 22’, for which over 30 contemporary designers have created garments inspired by visual works by contemporary artists whom they have selected themselves.
The styles are characterised by sculptural silhouettes, which alternate with softly drawn designs. The colours and shapes of the artworks are reflected in the textile creations. Both colours and shapes find their expression in the fabrics. Alongside subtly shimmering surfaces, sheer effects also feature significantly. Asymmetrical cuts and layered looks are a recurring theme.
The following designers are taking part in the exhibition: Ham&Eggs, Prototype 23, nelmit, YOD by Yana Dvoretska, Diliana Ivanova-YEDA, Evgeni Petkov-EUGENIO, Stylyne, carevitsa, Georgi Florov, Rositsa Mršić, Aneliya Antova, Maya Karanesheva, Milena Nacheva, Slavina Petrova, Yuliana Yanukova, Maria Popova, Iva Grigorova, Polina Sotirova, Nicole Hagedorn, Hatche Alieva, Anastasia Dicheva, Teodora Penkova, Donika Palankova, Stilyana Dzhongova, Pavel Mirchev.
The jewellery for this theme has been designed by Velislava Bozhinova, KIA FIL, Boryana Dankova and Five Seasons.
Yoanna Nikolova (National Academy of Arts) joins the exhibition as a ‘new name’. The Austrian designer handbag label GLÜXWERK is featured as guest designer.
The event is held with the financial support of Sofia Municipality – Culture Program and BIODERMA Bulgaria.
©Yoanna Nikolova
