Twice a year, designer Neli Mitewa stages unique creations by independent, young Bulgarian fashion designers in Sofia under a specific motto. She is not only the curator of the exclusive exhibition, but also the founder of the conceptual designer platform: IVAN ASEN 22.
READ MY LOOK is the title of this year’s winter edition of the Bulgarian designer salon Ivan Asen 22. From 4 to 22 December 2025, interested visitors were invited to admire the creations of up-and-coming Bulgarian designers on this theme in Sofia.
The designs are inspired by reading, which provides distraction on snowy days and transports the imagination to new worlds, by the smell of paper, the appearance and material of book covers. Letters, typographic patterns and contrasting, three-dimensional embroidery are important stylistic elements, as are illustrations in colourful, graphic lines.
READ MY LOOK transforms reading into a wearable experience. The theme explores the relationship between fashion and literature – between the garment through which stories are “read” and the clothing that “speaks”. The project aims to encourage experimentation with ideas, materials and messages, translating the spirit of books into fashionable form.
Inspiration comes from all genres: poetry unfolds in ethereal lines, rhythms and repetitive motifs; fantasy and science fiction are brought to life through brilliance, unexpected structures and architectural forms; drama and novels are translated into psychological contrasts and dramatic silhouettes; children’s literature brings colour, playful volumes and naivety; scientific literature inspires modularity, functionality and diagrams as graphic elements.
The designers interpret the theme through drapings, asymmetrical cuts and layerings. Typography is translated into patterns, embroidered letters, laser-cut texts and 3D compositions. Illustrations come to life as prints with strong visual energy. Book covers are presented in the designs through geometry, structure, leather surfaces and ‘paper’ materials. Jewellery also conveys the spirit of books – for example, through metal folds reminiscent of paper, volumes inspired by covers, and cut-outs of fine graphic details that convey the idea of hidden messages and symbols.
PARTICIPATING DESIGNERS: Ham&Eggs, Prototype 23, nelmit, YOD by Yana Dvoretska, Diliana Ivanova–YEDA, Dinka Kasabova–DK, Evgeni Petkov–Eugenio, Vintage Sofia, Stylyne, Rositsa Mrsik, Anelia Antova, Maya Karanesheva, Milena Nacheva, Slavina Petrova, Dilyana Cholakova, Maria Popova, Iva Grigorova, Radostina Klinkova, Polina Sotirova, Inna Gabrovska, Niya Yordanova, Nicole Hagedorn, Danail Kapchin, Eli Nenkovska, Anastasia Tsulukidze, Hatche Alieva, Kosara Zelenikova, Teodora Penkova.
The jewelry is by Velislava Bozhinova, KIA FIL, Katya Lazarova, KENNA Jewelry. The bags are by Art Studio Giovanna.
NEW NAMES: Zornitsa Bulkina, Anastasia Dicheva (NBU), Donika Palankova (AMTII–Plovdiv)
The event was realized with the support of the BIODERMA and ÉTAT PUR brands of NAOS.
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We cooperate! This article was written in cooperation with the international platform for ethical fashion www.styleandthegang.com. Whether from Tokyo, Kilifi, Barcelona or Bali – on their website the editors Tays Jennifer Köper-Kelemen and Nina Elyas present unusual, socially committed and ethical fashion brands with cross-cultural concepts from all over the world. Curated designers tell their stories of craftsmanship, and what it means to create fashion with added value.
