Local designer Jovana Markovic presented her SS19 collection in the Belgrade Design District. The popular shopping district gave support to the young designer, whilst hosting her latest catwalk.
Jovana Markovic’s signature aesethtic of a fusion of luxurious and timeless sophistication embodied with a youthful edge. This signature style was promininent in her SS19 collection which was inspired by the concept of being a woman. Celebrating and applauding female beauty and strength, through the synergy of female softness and strength. The concept was portrayed through natural fabrics in transparent and light pieces. Jovana implanted her colours in silk, with greens and neutral tones reinforcing the natural beauty. After becoming a Belgrade Fashion Week regular, her desiners have gained masses of media exposure in Serbian fashion magazines, and are now available to purchase worldwide.
In addition to the established brands, Belgrade Fashion Week combine both established and graduate designers under the same roof. BFW also host a competition known as the NOIZZ Fashion Award, part of their project Fashion Incubator. This additional show is part of the BFW graduate show, which is known to expose and produce many talented designers. This year universities taking part in the annual graduate show included; Faculty of Applied Arts, Accademia del Lusso and Metropolitan University. This season there were several stand out graduates showcasing their inaugural collections.
Mina Maksimovic, a recent graduate designer from Belgrade’s Metropolitan University, presented a menswear collection titled ‘99/100 experiments’ focusing on the juxtaposition of ugly and beautiful, harmony and chaos. The collection emphasises a focus on textiles and fabrics, creating contemporary menswear embodying the teenage transition with emotions of awkwardness and misunderstanding.


Nemanja Devetak, recent graduate designer Belgrade’s University of Arts, displayed a womenswear collection inspired by feminism as well as tough times in Serbia. Nemanja, spoke of the hardships of curating a fashion label in Serbia but emphasised the ongoing support from local businesses and consumers, “we don’t have money but we have fashion”. Aiming to follow in the footsteps of idols Alexander McQueen and John Gallino, he hopes to travel to Paris to gain experience working for a ready-to-wear fashion house in one of the most notorious fashion capitals.


It is apparent BFW is well regarded by both participating designers and attendees as an extremely supportive and encouraging event, through promoting and exposing the sheer talent and creativity possessed by the many young Serbian designers, as well as inviting gifted emerging designers to the country to showcase alongside them. BFW also host both more experienced designers and graduates under the same roof, emphasising the inclusivity and support systems. With BFW and their non-profit organisation ‘Design Collective’ sharing Fashion Crossover’s passion and mission of discovering and promoting emerging designers and graduate talent; it was an honour to attend 44th annual event.
The event celebrates a fusion of both Serbian heritage and cultural diversity, which is rare and much needed for the future of fashion. BFW also ensures a conscious effort is made to welcome many industry experts and professionals from overseas, which in turn broadens the horizon of many local designers, and increases the opportunity for global collaboration. It was an honour for Fashion Crossover London to be personally invited to attend the 44th annual Belgrade Fashion Week, as we share the same vision of discovering and supporting future talent worldwide. It has been most encouraging, to witness a world class event so passionate in supporting their own Country’s creatives, and building a bridge to global platforms with the possibility to achieve universal recognition. At Fashion Crossover London, we are devoted to sourcing talent worldwide and we have certainly encountered exceptional talents at the Belgrade Fashion Week.
Catwalk images courtesy of Belgrade Fashion Week
Written by Gaby Smith