Designers for Estonian Fashion Festival 2026 Announced
The Estonian Fashion Festival, taking place on 10–12 June 2026, will be held for the ninth time this year. A total of 46 designers applied, from whom the jury selected 29 designers, including three designers from Lithuania. In addition, five graduates of the Pallas University of Applied Sciences will present their graduation collections. The selected creators will showcase their work across three distinctive fashion shows: the heritage-inspired OmaMood, the playful Mood-Performance-Tants, and the Antonius Fashion Show, which focuses on wearability and body positivity.
The festival brings together a diverse group of designers whose work combines contemporary design language, material awareness and an increasing focus on sustainability. Their collections intertwine technical innovation, interpretations of traditional craft techniques and deeply personal narratives that add meaning and depth to fashion.
According to Cätlyn Tamm, Head of Sustainability at the Estonian Fashion Festival, many of the designers’ works are strongly rooted in the principles of slow fashion, craftsmanship and conscious material use. “Designers are creating garments that do not follow fast trends but are made to last. For example, the natural grey and brown tones of Estonian native sheep wool are used, and the craftsmanship can be extremely time-consuming – one knitted garment may require around 100,000 stitches,” said Tamm.
One of the most distinctive events of this year’s festival is the Mood-Performance-Tants show, which will take place in St John’s Church in Tartu. The historic church creates a unique atmosphere where fashion and playfulness meet a setting shaped by history, spirituality and a remarkable architectural environment. This encounter adds a deeper dimension to the performance and offers the audience a rich and memorable experience.
According to Key Külaots, CEO of the Estonian Fashion Festival, the festival aims to introduce Estonian fashion, support the development of designers and raise awareness of responsible and sustainable fashion. “The festival gives designers the opportunity to present their ideas to a wider audience and to create a dialogue between fashion, environmental awareness and cultural identity,” said Külaots.
OmaMood Fashion Show – 10 June
The OmaMood fashion show presents traditional craft values in a contemporary form, supporting the creation and wearing of garments inspired by craft heritage, materials and traditional skills.
Designers participating in the OmaMood fashion show:
Katre Arula and Liis Burk, Kristi Everst, Akvilė Bernotaitė, Mari-Liis Kõlli, Mari Yoda, Kairi Orav and fashion group, Johanna Tuisk, Kaia Malõh, Markus Meldo & Mirell Šmidt, Lee Reinula, Merili Silivask.
Mood-Performance-Tants – 11 June
The Mood-Performance-Tants show will feature seven designers and designer teams selected through the open competition, as well as five graduates from the textile and leather design departments of the Pallas University of Applied Sciences, who will present their graduation collections on stage. This unique fashion show in Estonia combines fashion, performance and dance, offering emerging designers an opportunity to present their work in an unconventional and performative format.
According to Liisa Soolepp, director of the show and member of the selection jury, it was inspiring to see how young designers combine different craft techniques and material approaches with sustainability themes.
“Several very cohesive collections made it into the final selection, and I believe the audience will experience a diverse and exciting fashion performance,” said Soolepp.
Designers and graduates participating in the Mood-Performance-Tants show:
Mari Saffre, Leena Isabel, Jaanus Odras, Emily Dobrus, Emily Turro, Merrit Helistve, Christopher Mururand, Kaisa Lotta Laak, Kätlin Muttika, Rasmus Linde, Angela Aavik, Sigre Kodasma, Christina Kasesalu, Hanna-Maria Org, Grete Ottis, Eliise Sallaste.
Antonius Fashion Show – 12 June
The Antonius Fashion Show presents ready-to-wear fashion designed for people of different ages and body types, while emphasising reuse, recycling and environmentally conscious design. The show will feature 11 selected designers, alongside guest appearances by renowned Estonian designers, whose names will be revealed at a later stage.
In addition to wearability, practicality and environmentally responsible production, this year’s show places a stronger focus on designing garments that can be worn by diverse audiences. One of the key themes of the show is body positivity.
Designers participating in the Antonius Fashion Show:
Anna Chirkova, Marleen Afanasjev, Birgit Peerna and Helen-Mary Vartšun, Kairi Getman, Jaagup Kaiv, Kristiina Jeromans, Liina Kulu, Susanna Peters, Siret Ott, Milda Grikšaitė and Rūta Kusaitė.
More information about the designers participating in the festival can be found on the Estonian Fashion Festival website.
Photo Andrea Rotenberg
