Tbilisi Fashion Week and its founder, former model Tako Chkheidze, aim to show the world that Georgian fashion has a global appeal. And just as Georgian designer Demna Gvasalia has been announced as the new creative director at Balenciaga, we travelled to Georgia for the 12th season of Tbilisi Fashion Week to report from key shows and presentations from Georgia’s latest design talents.

George Keburia

George Keburia presented a super cool, boyish 70s collection mixed with a 90s disco vibe. Boxy shapes, flared denims, organza coats and oversized solar system accessories dominated. Wearable and head turning, the collection delivered collectively cool separates, ideal for the nonstop city movement and day to night transitioning.

Irma Sharikadze

Frida Kahlo’s art and personal style sprang to life in the SS16 performance of Georgian photographer and now designer Irma Sharikadze. The performance took place in Gardenia Sheevardnadze, a beautiful private garden just outside of Tbilisi. Sharikadze sent out a small range of colourful dresses and co-ords with tiered ruffles and exaggerated silhouettes, crown of braids, and Frida’s signature red lip that lent the models’ distinctive look.

Lako Bukia

The highlight of TFW, and not a newbie to the international fashion scene, was the perfectly curated catwalk show from Georgian-born designer Lako Bukia. The inspiration for this magical collection came from the ‘Anbernika Stickers’, a series of mixed-media acrylic paintings by the Georgian artist Nika Sakhanberidze. Printed maxi dresses, two pieces and bold-coloured raincoats dominate this season in Lako’s signature style. Art-inspired, super sophisticated and just a little bit dreamy, this was certainly her most captivating collection to date.

Materiel/Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili

Welcome to the world of Materiel, where clear-cut lines and minimalism dominate. Models at the Materiel show strutted down the catwalk in shades of grey, nude leathers and monochrome two pieces.

This show definitely showed why Aleksandre deserved to be the winner of Tbilisi Fashion Week Newcomers and one of the winners of the Be Next Fashion Designer contest.

Words: Lilith Bussfeld