The First Evening of the Ruse Fashion Week 2026 Runway Shows Showcased Impressive Collections and International Designers

* Collections by Zhou Jin from China and Rosy Signorello from Italy were the international highlights of the first evening

On April 2, the foyer of the Ruse Central Railway Station was transformed into a fashion stage for the opening runway shows of the second edition of RFW Ruse Fashion Week, organized by the Bulgarian fashion portal Fashion.bg.

This year, the event focused on promoting sustainable fashion to the large audience in attendance. Silvia Kabaivanova, organizer of Ruse Fashion Week, emphasized: "This year’s participants were selected after analyzing a number of factors: garment durability, emotional value, made-to-order production, preservation of traditions, circular design and materials, ethical production processes, customer education, and transparency. Ruse Fashion Week positions sustainability as a shared journey rather than a barrier to creativity. These principles encourage designers to develop their potential while following a sustainable and responsible approach to fashion."

The efforts of designers and brands in the field of sustainable fashion were recognized with the presentation of the Sustainable Fashion Award by the Bulgarian Fashion Association, chaired by Silvia Kabaivanova.

To officially open the fashion forum, Ms. Zlatomira Stefanova, Deputy Mayor “International Programs and Projects, Investments and Property” of Ruse Municipality, and Mr. Dimitar Nedev, Deputy Mayor “Social Activities, Healthcare and Transport,” took the stage. They congratulated the organizers and expressed their wish for each future edition to build upon the achievements and continue attracting more like-minded creatives. Silvia Kabaivanova thanked the Municipality of Ruse for its support and presented a statuette on behalf of the Bulgarian Fashion Association.

The evening began with an artistic presentation featuring interpretations of five authentic Ruse outfits from the early 20th century—a period when the ladies of Ruse embraced Viennese chic and set fashion trends in Bulgaria. One of the models was a 1930s dress that belonged to Nadezhda Hitova, daughter-in-law of Bulgarian revolutionary Panayot Hitov. The garments were recreated by designer Daniela Georgieva (Art Boutique DANA VITAN). The original pieces are part of the Ethnography Department collection at the Regional History Museum – Ruse.

This was followed by a runway presentation of selected pieces from the Spring/Summer 2026 collection of ROSI—a Bulgarian brand for working, active women who want to look confident and feminine without effort or ostentation. ROSI values tailoring over trends, quality over quantity, and longevity over momentary impact. The brand’s clothes do not shout—they speak quietly but confidently. They are not explained—they are felt. ROSI represents practical elegance for women who know who they are.

The fashion show continued with Ignis Atelier—an artistic fashion brand creating unique garments from authentic vintage tapestries. Each tapestry is hand-embroidered decades ago and carries its own story. In their atelier, these textile artworks are transformed into contemporary garments with character. No piece is repeated—each design is one of a kind. Ignis Atelier blends tradition, art, and modern design to create wearable art.

Next came the collection of designer Deyna Brenchens, who officially returns to the fashion scene, choosing the Ruse Fashion Week runway. Her comeback is even more special as she collaborates with her daughter Thea Brenchens, who is only 6 years old but already shows a strong sense for fashion and design. Young Thea not only participates in the creative process but actively develops ideas for dresses for children aged 1 to 10, including formal, kids’, and bridal outfits.

DANINI is a Bulgarian womenswear brand established as a family business in the 1990s. What began as a small tailoring studio has evolved into a stable manufacturer of elegant, high-quality women’s clothing. Today, the brand combines traditional Bulgarian craftsmanship with a contemporary European vision of women’s fashion.

The evening continued with the collection of Aladino’s Fashion, designed by Rosy Signorello from Turin, Italy. The brand’s collections go beyond traditional clothing concepts, aiming to create an emotional experience and empower women to express themselves confidently and authentically.

This was followed by a fashion show presenting designs from the Chinese brand “De Jin,” created by designer Zhou Jin—a leading figure in the preservation and promotion of Chinese cultural heritage and traditional costume. She presented the iconic Chinese “mamian” skirts.

The evening continued with a collection by the Ruse-based brand for formal and cocktail dresses Mona Grace, followed by Miss Queen, which presented elegant evening gowns designed to make every special occasion unforgettable.

Tasquira is an established brand for bridal and formal fashion, combining contemporary design with European quality and offering handcrafted dresses with a strong focus on detail and premium materials.

The grand finale was entrusted to the internationally acclaimed designer Ivan Donev, winner of 34 international awards, whose creations have graced global runways and prestigious red carpets such as the Oscars, BAFTA, and the Venice Film Festival.

The evening concluded with a cocktail for guests, featuring wine from Tipchenitsa Winery and products from Golyamo Vranovo Pork Complex.