18 December 2024
 In October, the Vienna Opera Ball 2025 issued a call for fashion designers under the motto "Alles Walzer," paying tribute to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Waltz King Johann Strauss (article). Now, three months later, the winners of the Austria-wide fashion design competition have been announced. As in previous years, the results are surprising and show the diversity of the Austrian design landscape. Designers Dorzh Ayushin of the eponymous label 'Ayushin', Olga Chapiro, founder of the label Laskari, and Cindy Fodor with a focus on 3D printing and developments such as scented material for a dress - all three found their home in Vienna - were selected from over 50 submissions by a jury chaired by Viennese designer Michel Mayer, known for her ready-to-wear, couture and bridal gowns, and lauded in the media for her costumes for films such as the Netflix series 'The Empress' (the second season was released this November; post on Instagram with a closer look at one of the dresses made in Michel Mayer's studio). The jury included specialists for a great performance such as choreographer Maria Angelini-Santner and costume designer Thomas Oláh. The selection of designers shows the international side of Vienna, the metropolis between West and East in Central Europe. Dorzh Ayushin, a native of Buryatia (one of the 21 republics of Russia), named his label after his surname 'Ayushin'. In a video on YouTube, he introduces his work and explains why he chose the name, which means longevity in Buddhism. Before beginning his career as a fashion designer, he studied architecture in Siberia and then in Austria. Now based in Vienna, he combines his architectural background with fashion design, emphasizing structure and form. Olga Chapiro is the founder of the Vienna-based brand Laskari. Her designs reflect Viennese traditions, Italian textiles and modern trends, with a focus on femininity and individuality. In two recent videos on her label's Instagram @laskarivienna, Olga Chapiro talks about the creation of selected evening gowns and their functionality, such as a bow that functions as sleeves or a train skirt that can be easily put on or taken off. Cindy Fodor brings together fashion, science and technology. Fodor specializes in innovative textile development, such as scented material for a dress (recent post on Instagram @cindyfodor), and techniques such as 3D printing and laser cutting. The winning creations will debut at the Opera Ball 'Couture Salon' on January 31, 2025, at the Hotel Bristol, in collaboration with the Vienna State Ballet's first solo dancers. In the lead up to the Vienna Opera Ball on February 27, 2025, twelve bespoke gowns will be created for prominent Vienna State Ballet dancers including Ioanna Avraam, Olga Esina, Rebecca Horner, Hyo-Jung Kang and Claudine Schoch. Image: The picture shows the designers (from left) Cindy Fodor, Dorzh Ayushin and Olga Shaprio on a balcony of the Hotel Bristol with the Vienna State Opera in the background. Photo: © Katharina Schiffl. |
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