MBFWCE S/S 2018

LOCATION

The Iparművészeti Múzeum, the Museum of Applied Arts, was the location for MBFWCE S/S 2018 this year and the perfect place to promote the development of Hungarian arts and fashion designers. This Art Nouveau museum stands as one of the most outstanding buildings of the architectural style in Europe, with many special features, including glass roofed halls, the interior evoking oriental splendor, topped with an enormous tiled dome on the outside, which were specially made by the famous Zsolnay porcelain company.

Photo credit Museum of Applied Arts

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

TRENDS

When I look at the Spring/Summer 2018 collections from the Hungarian fashion designers, I compartmentalize the collections in my mind into trends that I find stand out, or impress me and the trends below are a representation of what I find the most beautiful. Each of the collections have something unique about them and I encourage you to click on the designer names to look at more photos of the S/S 2018 collections.

NORA SARMAN has a flirty and fun way of showing off the bride all dressed in white, however, I love her collections for their intricate details and beautiful sheer overlays and suggest these designs as beautiful vacation outfits - not only for weddings. I see her designs roaming the streets on the beautiful island of Santorini in the hot summer days and the floppy but structured sun hats add a hint of elegance - they are simple but minimalism is encouraged as the dresses speak for themselves.

ELYSIAN is usually taking me back to place of nature and serenity in her collections but this season was more mod and brought me back to the 1960's. My closet staples are black and white and although this may seem boring, it is clean and classic in it's approach.

CELENI made me excited about the coming of Spring and Summer as she truly brought us to the deep blue of the sea with these pops of colours. I found the deep blue to stand out the most and I absolutely loved the side slit skirt with the buttons and peep of lace coming through as well as the one-sided fish motifs on the blouse. The cinched high waist trend continues into 2018 with a corset-like look on the dresses and over shirts.

CUKOVY stepped out in style this season with colourful leather bomber jackets paired with long printed skirts, mixing rock and roll with dressing up. The boxed print and 'censored' sequin designs reminded me of pixilated art pieces and I was waiting for what secrets were left to be discovered. The headpieces on the models were absolutely stunning and are a great additional accessory to a dressed up outing.

TOMCSANYI is usually the girl next door who is looking cute as a button but these designs just absolutely brought the Tomcsanyi girl into womanhood. A much more grown up version of what is normally on the runway and seems effortless and flirty.

KATA SZEGEDI was futuristically bright and modern and these jackets and outfits seem like the perfect party piece to add more excitement into your wardrobe. What a bright way to add some sparkle into a casual jeans and shirt outfit.

JE SUIS BELLE caught my eye with these 'handkerchief' designs on the skirts/dresses and I was impressed with how flowing and effortless these pieces looked. What a fantastic design which can be worn all season long!

NANUSHKA is Budapest's sweetheart city girl who lives for travel and intertwining her nomadic lifestyle into her everyday life, setting trends by simply being herself. I love these bags being worn across the body and simplifying your life into a smaller pouch and the wrap dresses, shirts and skirts in the S/S collection.

CAKO's artistic and flowy watercolour-like prints on her designs feels like watching an exhibition walk by and the bright colours take us away from wearing monotone outfits for the S/S seasons. We see a return to wearing simple flats, rather than putting on the highest heels to feel elegant and comfortable.

ZSIGMOND DORA creates a feeling of being on a safari or preparing for a walk through the Sahara. Layered looks in monochrome show off simplicity, minimalistic design and effortless cool.

Thank you to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the artistically charged experience and I'm looking forward to seeing the designs on the real runway - the streets - of Budapest!

Photo credit Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Central Europe

GHRAOUI CHOCOLATE

The Ghraoui name is the legacy of an ancient Damascene trading family that established its business in 1805. The Ghraoui brand has always been associated with high quality and excellence despite the political hardship that plagued its history. The Ghraoui success and legacy was passed down from one Ghraoui generation to the next. Read more about the Ghraoui legacy online HERE. Luckily for me, Ghraoui has opened its' doors just around the corner from my Budapest home and I walk by nearly each day to try out a new flavour or find someone to buy a gift box for. Designed by the famous architect, painter and designer Bruno Moinard, the interior of Ghraoui features marble table tops, intricate paintings and designs of roses, trees and fruits on the walls and intricate details all around the shop, wherever you may look.

Photo Reviczky Zsolt

In 2012, the doors of the Damascene manufactory were closed due to the Syrian civil war and after all these years, they have reopened again, but this time in Budapest. The goal is to put Hungary on the map of the chocolate world! By starting here, the brand can reinvent itself, like many do in the capital. Chocolate has no boundaries!

From the moment I walked into Ghraoui, I felt like a kid in a candy store - no pun intended - as the sweet smell of homemade chocolates filled the air. It was not easy to choose a selection and I could have easily walked out with a taster of each one, but I narrowed down my selection and have been going back to try the various other flavours. It was a true delight to have the manager of the store walk us around and explain the importance of the chocolates. 

My Ghraoui box contains:

(from top left to right)

Caramel mou - caramel coated with milk chocolate

Chateau d'amour - fuillentine flakes and praline, coated with dark chocolate

Strawberry cheese cake - biscuit, creamy filling and strawberry puree coated with milk chocolate

Demi lune - plain dark chocolate

(from bottom left to right)

Coeur de Budapest - milk chocolate with almond praline - the heart of Budapest and a classic one to try and include in a gift box

Emessa - roasted almond covered with milk chocolate

Mocka - dark chocolate with caramel and coffee bean

Coquillages - octopus milk chocolate with praline

Thank you to Ghraoui for the luxury chocolate shopping experience and I am certain that I will return again soon to satisfy my sweet tooth!

You can find Ghraoui on Andrassy utca 31, Budapest and look out for the Paris store in the 7th district on boulevard Saint Germain to open soon!