IDEAMODA 2026: International Competition for Young Fashion Designers

For the sixth consecutive year, the IDEAMODA International Competition for Young Fashion Designers will provide a platform and an opportunity for emerging designers who are starting their careers in fashion.

New Bulgarian University, in partnership with the Conceptual Design Platform “Ivan Asen 22”, are the organizers of the event. The competition focuses on the creativity, innovative thinking, unconventional approach, and technical skills of the participants.

IDEAMODA 2026 is once again aimed at students in their final year of fashion studies, students enrolled in master’s programs in fashion, as well as designers up to 35 years old working for their own or another brand. The competition jury brings together renowned experts with real practical experience from various areas of the fashion industry: design, styling, performance, journalism, and photography.

This year, the jury selected the following finalists to present their talent at the final event:
Silvia Nikolova – National Academy of Arts
Niya Yordanova – National Academy of Arts
Kristina Lyubenova – New Bulgarian University
Jan Anush – Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Jacqueline Ilieva – New Bulgarian University
Ivayla Usheva – New Bulgarian University
Ivayla Petrova – New Bulgarian University
Iva Shopova – New Bulgarian University
Hubert Pelch – Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Gabriela Mihova – National Academy of Arts
Emily Cain – New Bulgarian University
Elena Ilieva – National Academy of Arts
Denislav Dimitrov – New Bulgarian University

The prize fund includes: a cash award for creating or supporting an independent brand, education in a master’s program at New Bulgarian University, internship opportunities in the fashion industry, professional sewing equipment, and more.
Previous winners of the competition include students from New Bulgarian University, the National Academy of Arts, IED Milan, and the University of Zagreb.

The IDEAMODA 2026 final will take place on June 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Toplocentrala Center for Contemporary Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria.