As part of the implementation of the International Grant Project “FashionTEX European Academy for Young Designers to Study Innovative Technologies in Digital Fashion Design”, to which Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design is affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Fashion through a selected grant, during March 11-14, 2025, Associate Professor of the Department of Fashion and Style Alla Rubanka and Assistant Professor of the Department Yana Mamchenko participated in a number of organizational events for representatives of 11 partner educational institutions.
Fellow educators, leading lecturers Vera Devyechova, Kateryna Skarabelova, and assistant Michaela Vratnikova hospitably welcomed delegates from different European countries to the walls of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (AMAD) in Prague (Czech Republic).
The modern building of the Academy’s technology center opened its doors to creative students in 2021 and became a creative space for the implementation of projects by students in various areas of art and design. AMAD representatives conducted an informative and inspiring tour of the classrooms for learning and practical training; in particular, they visited the workshops of ceramics, typography, stained glass, as well as classes on working with textiles, printing on fabric, embroidery, etc.
The focus of the Academy, which is currently among the most prestigious art schools in Europe, is aimed at developing talent, creativity, original, independent thinking, creative abilities, and professional practical skills and is based on an individual approach with an emphasis on social values and environmental responsibility, for which the institution systematically organizes exhibitions of creative works and design developments of students, displays of collections, etc.
Throughout the internship, productive work continued within the international team, with seminars, round tables, and brainstorming sessions taking place.
FashionTex project management specialist Isabelle Baumbach discussed the organizational aspects of preparing for the Festival, scheduled for November 5-7, 2025, in Chemnitz, Germany. She also outlined deadlines for student participants to develop their creative projects, ensuring a structured and coordinated workflow.
Janis Gailitis, Head of the Management and Development Department at the Latvian Academy of Arts (Latvia), introduced the Makerspace project and presented a dynamic work plan for the two-week student training. This includes developing original concepts for a holographic 3D show and the final festival. He also shared details about preparing a creative space for fashion designers in Riga.
During all meetings, the FashionTex team addressed various aspects of the project's next stages, including preparation for the Makerspace and the Festival, professional support for students, and media outreach to promote the initiative. Participants also exchanged professional experiences and highlighted student achievements in digital technologies within the fashion industry.
The third day began with presentations from all participating countries on the results of the implementation of the basic level of the Atelier course in the educational process and the next steps to prepare students for the future stages of the project, in particular the two-week Makerspace to be held in Schneeberg and the Festival in Chemnitz (Germany). The Atelier course at KNUTD is implemented within the framework of the EPP “Modeling, Design and Artistic Decoration of Light Industry Products”, “Design and Technology of Garments” as mandatory educational components, as well as the work of student scientific clubs “Fashion design using digital technologies” and “Art and Fashion: a creative approach to design”. During the presentation, creative projects of digital clothing and accessories by students of the Department of Fashion and Style were presented – Yevgenia Lazariv and Anastasia Molodan (Group MgSHMK-24), Eliza Devlyashova and Alina Mykytey (Group BShMK-21(sk-23)), Oleksiy Agarkov, Oleksandra Melnychuk, Oleksandr Rashchenia (Group BShMK-22) and others.
The speakers presented the creative process behind finding inspiration, developing design concepts using advanced technologies, working with avatars and their customization, enhancing student skills in 2D design programs, and implementing creative projects in CLO 3D, Blender, and Mixamo.
Social Media Marketing Manager Sandra presented the project’s SMM strategy, followed by a workshop designed to generate creative ideas for promoting social media pages and the FashionTex website.
Cristiano Carciani and Adele Parker, representatives of the Fashion Academy in Amsterdam, along with Antonio Lo Presti, a lecturer at the Koefia Academy in Rome, introduced the concept of a Makerspace. They outlined the requirements for preparing creative digital developments and manufactured products at each stage of the project.
Attendees discussed the necessity of expert support for participating students throughout all stages of preparation for the final and holographic shows. Additionally, representatives from participating countries showcased their FashionTex Open Day projects, introducing them to all the attendees.
The productive meeting of the project team at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design took place in a creative atmosphere, close cooperation and was another step in preparation for an inspiring event in digital fashion – FashionTex Show.
We sincerely thank the project coordinator, Chairman of the Board of the European Cultural Forum Bernhard Reeder, colleagues for the hospitable reception, and all the participants for the fruitful, rich and informative meetings. We wish you inspiration for the further implementation of creative ideas and modern digital projects!
21.03.2025
