Budapest welcomes diverse designers from across the region to showcase thrilling threads on the catwalk in a series of fashion shows and related events for the second-annual Central European Fashion Days, happening October 3-5 at the City Park Ice Rink. Known in Hungary as "Gombold újra!", this stylish celebration highlights rising stars in the region's couture scene, with the best designs winning accolades presented by an esteemed international jury.

All of the important objectives of the 2014 competition for Central European Fashion Days seem to be fulfilled: out of the 189 entries, 70 are from young designers of the Visegrád Group countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia), so this unique fashion event is definitely generating a lot of interest. As a testament to this far-reaching appeal, participants will include the heads of IMG Fashion, as well as representatives from the New York and the Berlin Fashion Weeks, and with their help CEFD is fast becoming one of Europe's most prestigious fashion events; Toni & Guy Fashion Week Budapest joined the professional team, as well. On Saturday during the weekend-long event, there will be a show presenting the 19 finalist pieces to the international jury, in which Sandra Sandor – the Magyar founder and creative director of Nanushka – will represent Hungary.This year’s theme focuses on learning about each other, so the entrants had to incorporate and materialize the architecture, traditions, and characteristics of different regional cultures into their own entries, based on their own interpretations. The most talented young designer will receive the 10,000 euro mentoring program of Design Terminal and the “CEFD Visegrád Award”.

CEFD 2014 has been scheduled for the opening weekend of Budapest Design Week, which is an excellent pairing. On Friday, we will be able to visit the fashion shows of established successful designers, and Saturday will be the day of the finals, while Sunday is most important for the organizers and up-and-coming talents, since this is when the “buyer showroom” platform happens to create a direct conversation between fashion-industry investors and designers. It is important to note that the total proceeds of CEFD will support the work of the Hungarian Interchurch Aid.