Moscow Fashion Week is leaning into the growing appetite for new voices by offering platforms to emerging voices in the fashion industry, a trend already noticeable at other European fashion weeks this season. In this final stage of the global fashion season taking place from March 14 to 19 in Moscow, emerging brands appear alongside well-established brands, allowing emerging designers to present their work to influential viewers and inject new ideas into contemporary fashion.

A global talent network

The Moscow catwalk welcomes art from all over the world. New participants are selected from more than a thousand applications from Russia and abroad. Discoveries made through the program become part of an illustrious lineup of more than 200 brands, highlighting the creative force of Russian fashion and its global demand.

“What impressed me most was the remarkable diversity among the designers. Each brand presented a distinct creative identity, but the overall standard of craftsmanship and presentation was consistently strong. The collections were carefully constructed, visually compelling, and clearly reflected a deep level of design maturity. There was a sense of confidence in the work, from tailoring to fabric choice, that made the showcases appear elevated and intentional.” – Mahlet Teklemariam, founder of Africa Fashion Week hub

Africa in focus

For designers from the African continent, Moscow Fashion Week embodies a familiar spirit of authenticity and disruption.

“I think both Johannesburg and Moscow share a strong sense of identity. Designers in both cities are driven by passion, telling stories through fabrics, culture and emotions. There is also this hunger to be seen, to redefine how the world perceives fashion from our regions. Moscow style feels powerful yet elegant, there is confidence in how people present themselves.” – Stephen Manzini, Founder and CEO of Soweto Fashion Week and SA Fashion Association

Over the next week, viewers will be able to enjoy exhibitions by designers from the African region, including South Africa and Ethiopia, who frequently participate in Moscow Fashion Week.

A global convergence of culture

This season, brands from China, Spain, Turkey and other countries come to Moscow, expanding international presence, while the global fashion community closely follows what is happening at Moscow Fashion Week.

“Moscow Fashion Week provided an international platform to present my design philosophy and storytelling approach, allowing the brand to reach a wider audience beyond Turkey. This participation strengthened the brand's visibility in global fashion circles and created new opportunities for collaborations and media coverage.” – Turkish designer Emre Erdemoğlu on the presentation of a collection in Moscow

Notable American brands to watch include Viva Vox, known for its signature prints, liberal use of leather and fur, and bold experiments with tailoring; Solangel, whose jumpsuits Jennifer López chooses for her performances; and Julia Dalakian, whose brand has been active in the European and American markets since its launch, has exhibited collections in Düsseldorf, Berlin, Milan and New York.

Export Russian style

As the fashion world converges on Russia this week, Russian fashion also travels to other markets to export Russian fashion design and trends. The exchange program between Moscow Fashion Week and international industry associations plays an important role in this process. In January this year, the Ermilov brand made a successful debut at the Hub of Africa Fashion Week in Ethiopia. Before that, shows of talented Russian brands became a highlight of major fashion events in South Africa, China, Spain, India and other countries. This interaction allows local designers, particularly those from developing regions, to draw inspiration from other cultures and improve their recognition.

Moscow Fashion Week continues to showcase the power and influence of the Russian market through global exchange and collaboration, resulting in a diverse and structured showcase of this season's latest cultural pulse. The resounding message is a continued cry for global cultural exchange and for discovering previously unknown talents and voices from across the fashion industry. For those interested in contemporary fashion, Moscow Fashion Week provides the opportunity to discover new names and expand your fashion horizons.