Independent brands and creativity characterize the 42nd edition of Riga Fashion Week

At a time when multinational brands are struggling to restore their sales to previous levels, often remaining tied to their brand DNA and archives, the current generation of Latvian fashion is betting on something different: deep-rooted history and a vibrant, independent creativity. These two factors also shaped the latest edition of Riga Fashion Week.

From April 14 to 18, the 42nd edition of the event, founded by Elena Strahova and still led by her, took place. A total of 18 designers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and international labels presented their collections and gave a comprehensive insight into the diversity of the Baltic fashion scene.

Latvian brands that showed their Fall/Winter 2026/2027 collections included Anna Kruz, Baé by Katya Shehurina, Iveta Vecmane; Katya Katya, Natalija Jansone, Studio Mx, Sviests by Sergey Hatanzeisky, Una Berzina and Verens. The program was supplemented by international designers such as Hannes Rüütel from Estonia, Laura Daili and Lilija Klim-Larionova from Lithuania as well as Paul Williams Atelier (Great Britain/Nigeria) and A.Cont (Spain/Peru).

The “Latvian Design Stories-Butterman” showroom in the center of Riga also offered space for presentations by Novaliss (Spain/Latvia), Annaelizabete.Fashion and Lyuiize from Latvia. The participating labels included both established names and independent, niche-oriented brands. While their main market used to often be Russia, since the outbreak of the conflict many of them have increasingly shifted their focus to the Baltic states and the European market, particularly through the expansion of e-commerce structures.

Close connection between fashion, everyday life and the audience

What is particularly striking at Latvian Fashion Week is the high number of visitors to the shows, which also includes the general public. The brands’ customers, not necessarily actors or celebrities, are invited by the individual labels. They appear in carefully chosen outfits, even formal evening wear. The shows in the Latvian city take place from late afternoon. Lunchtime is reserved for showroom visits, presentations of smaller brands or museum exhibitions.

This close connection between fashion, everyday life and the public is closely linked to the history of the city. Riga has long cultivated a strong sense of fashion and craftsmanship, which particularly developed during the Soviet era. At that time there was a shortage of clothing and accessories, so many people started making their own wardrobes. This necessity sustainably promoted creativity and craftsmanship.

This legacy continues to have an impact today. Agrita Greenwald, curator and project manager of the Riga Fashion Museum, told FashionUnited: “To meet the need for elegant clothing, many Latvians who couldn’t find what they wanted in stores had to be inventive and learn to make clothes with their own hands.”

This may also be why taste for ‘dressing well’ has remained important, particularly on certain occasions. Natalya Muzichkina, founder and director of the Riga Fashion Museum, says: “You can clearly see it when you go to the theater, where people have retained the custom of dressing appropriately.”

History and everyday life shape collections

Against this background, it is understandable why certain design approaches have become established in Latvian fashion. A particularly characteristic feature is the use of layered looks. These are not only stylistically motivated, but also functional. Temperatures can vary greatly within a day, from a few degrees in the morning to around 15 degrees in the early afternoon.

This combination of functionality, history and creative freedom is also reflected in the collections presented during fashion week. Lithuanian designer Laura Daili, for example, brought looks to the runway that were characterized by material contrasts, artistic details, transparency and sculptural silhouettes. The inspiration for the collection entitled ‘Invisible tension’ is the broken glass.

This symbolizes not only vulnerability, but also change: the end of the old and the beginning of the new. This idea is enriched by the designer’s personal interpretation. The saying ‘shards bring happiness’ has been translated into a visual language in which fragmentation takes on aesthetic value. The aesthetics of the collection are also influenced by the designer’s personal environment. Her husband is a glass artist, which makes working with this material an integral part of fashion creation. Transparency, reflections, clear lines and structure are not random elements, but a consistently developed design direction.

“One of the strongest accents of the collection are the corsets, accessories and structural elements made of recycled glass. Here, glass serves not only as a decorative detail, but as a structural material that defines the body lines and creates the effect of fragile armor,” explained designer Laura Dailidėnienė.

Visually, the collection thrives on contrasts. Layered silhouettes and light, flowing dresses alternate with rigid, architectural shapes to create a dynamic whole. Transparency here becomes both an aesthetic choice and a conceptual level. The color palette is dominated by mint tones, cool greens and bright red. These are combined with black and white to enhance the feeling of freshness and delicacy.

Designer Anna Elizabete’s bridal collection was also interesting. It’s an ode to femininity that combines delicate lace and crochet with modern design. “They are all recycled pieces, in many cases tablecloths or coasters,” designer Anna Elizabete Kasparsone, who founded the brand, told FashionUnited. “These are items of clothing that can be combined with each other in several versions. I like to leave the freedom of choice to the customers.”

In addition to integrating upcycling techniques, the collection also includes accessories created in collaboration with the Korte Art brand. “In many cases I also design tailor-made clothing; my customers include many theater actors and musicians,” emphasized Kasparsone. She graduated from the Latvian Art Academy and gained professional experience through internships with luxury brands in London and by participating in international studios and competitions in Italy, France and China.

Variety of interpretations of the fashion industry

Studio Mx, which showed its collection on the first day, is a semi-couture women’s fashion brand. The label makes each garment to order and long-lasting, never going out of style, also with sustainability in mind.

The creator of Mx is Megija Luīze Pudāne. She comes from Latvia and completed her fashion design studies at Ifa Paris in 2024.

Megija founded the brand in 2020. She started with colorful creations without already having a clear idea of ​​the brand’s style or identity. The brand adopted the name Mx in 2021.

During her studies she perfected her skills and found her own style. This is characterized by an aesthetic of simple but elegant designs that focuses on shapes and silhouettes and is influenced by her love for the color black. The collection presented during the Latvian event is a tribute to flowing dresses, transparency and silhouettes that are sometimes suggested and sometimes flattered by the garments.

The woman who inspired designer Iveta Vecmane is tough, consistent and elegant. Vecmane founded her Latvian fashion brand of the same name in 2017. The label stands for the timeless elegance of a self-confident and emancipated Northern European woman. His core values ​​are based on the principles of slow and sustainable fashion. Customers are encouraged to invest in quality garments and create an elegant, long-lasting capsule wardrobe. This leads to suits, pencil skirts and light, ethereal shirts. Black, white and red is the color palette chosen by the designer.

A fresh collection with a wink to the new generations was proposed by Varens. Founded in 2015, the brand initially specialized in high-quality home and indoor clothing for women. In 2023, it took an evolutionary path and introduced inclusive designs for men and women, always focusing on quality and comfort.

The aim is to support nature by designing and producing authentic and stylish women’s fashion using eco-friendly materials. By producing limited collections, the brand aims to reduce excessive consumption.

The label was founded by Katerina Varan, a designer with in-depth knowledge of pattern construction and tailoring, when she was expecting a child.

The designer’s goal is to combine excellent quality with accessibility and to make elegant, well-made garments accessible to a wider audience.