Polimoda has announced its partnership with the NEXT GENERATION program, at Mercedes-Benz Bucharest Fashion Week (March 27-30, 2025), an initiative strategically supported by main partner Mercedes-Benz. This collaboration underscores Polimoda’s commitment to nurturing emerging fashion talent globally.
NEXT GENERATION at Mercedes-Benz Bucharest Fashion Week is structured around three main pillars: Fashion Talent Award, Business Accelerator & Management in Fashion, and Sustainable Design Lab.
The official launch takes place on 27 March when the Fashion Talent Award theme for 2025 will be announced. The Fashion Talent Awards is a fundamental part of the fashion week, featuring a competition specifically dedicated to young designers for which participants will work under professional guidance, benefitting from a structured mentoring program. As educational partner, the main prize for the competition is an international experience at Polimoda as well as provided mentorship throughout the program. Massimiliano Giornetti, Director of Polimoda, will contribute to the artistic and professional development of participants. At the announcing conference, Giacomo Santucci, former Gucci CEO, will deliver the keynote address. The program for the competition will run throughout the year with mentorship sessions, workshops, and talks. The final presentation of collections created during the competition will take place during the autumn edition of Mercedes-Benz Bucharest Fashion Week.
Business Accelerator & Management in Fashion is a strategic pillar, supported by Banca Transilvania, of the NEXT GENERATION program that offers mentorship and training for fashion entrepreneurs and professionals, developed with the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. It welcomes both designers and fashion enthusiasts looking to launch brands or pursue careers in fashion management, strategy, or communication. The accelerator runs throughout the year with applications opening in April, providing participants with essential business skills and entrepreneurial knowledge to complement their creative expertise.
Sustainable Design Lab is an educational and practical framework for exploring sustainable approaches to fashion creation. It aligns with the overall program and Polimoda’s emphasis on providing a comprehensive education that balances creativity, business acumen, and environmental responsibility for the next generation of fashion professionals.
The project also enjoys the academic support of Romania’s leading art and design universities: The National University of Arts Bucharest (UNArte), The University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca (UAD), and The West University of Timișoara (UVT). These institutions play a key role in shaping the next generation of creatives, offering a vital framework for reflection and innovation in contemporary fashion.
For Polimoda’s community, the partnership with Mercedes-Benz Bucharest Fashion Week offers new opportunities for cultural exchange and creative collaboration with emerging talents from Eastern Europe, further enriching the school’s diverse international community.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are now open on mbbfw.ro and remain open until May. The program runs throughout the year with mentorship sessions, workshops, and talks, culminating in the final presentation of collections during the autumn edition of Mercedes-Benz Bucharest Fashion Week.