Festival
2026

FashionTEX Festival 2026 – Where Fashion Meets the Digital Future

On September 30 and October 1, 2026, Riga will become a hub for the future of fashion: The FashionTEX Festival 2026 invites you to the Riga Makerspace & LED Unit Studio in Latvia for two extraordinary days filled with fashion, technology, creativity, and innovation.

FashionTEX blends the allure of a classic runway show with the possibilities of the digital world. On the catwalk, virtual models and spectacular 3D fashion designs meet real-world creations—including the latest work from young talents representing 11 partner fashion schools across Europe. It is a fashion experience that redefines the boundaries between the physical and digital realms.

Yet FashionTEX is more than just a fashion show: an immersive exhibition, inspiring talks, and exciting presentations offer insights into the major questions shaping the future of fashion. How is digitalization transforming our creativity? What new opportunities arise from virtual spaces? And how can we shape the digital future of fashion in a way that is innovative, responsible, and accessible to all?

Two days. 11 European fashion schools. One stage for the future of fashion.

Save the Date: September 30 – October 1, 2026 | Riga

The full program and further highlights will be announced soon.

We look forward to two inspiring days and to experiencing the future of fashion together in Riga.

Program

FashionTEX Festival 2026: Digitalization Meets Sustainability

On September 30 and October 1, 2026, Riga will become a hub for the future of European fashion. Held at the Riga Makerspace, the FashionTEX Festival 2026 focuses on the interplay between digitalization and sustainability, exploring how new technologies are transforming the design, production, and presentation of fashion. International experts will share insights into current developments and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the fashion of tomorrow.
The two-day program combines keynotes, panel discussions, presentations, and showcases of innovative technologies. Topics range from digital fashion design and branding to rapid prototyping, as well as the intersection of fashion history and digitalization. The event concludes on October 1 with a hybrid exhibition—featuring both digital and physical elements—and a fashion show at the LEDunit Studio.

Participants

Adelaide Fioroni

Accademia Koefia (Italy)

Alessandro Mosciatti

Accademia Koefia (Italy)

Alina Negwer

Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau (Germany)

Alžbeta Valentová

UMPRUM Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (Czech Republic)

Dana Sushila Hoefner

Amsterdam Fashion Academy (Netherlands)

Dinis Lopes

University of Lisbon (Portugal)

Ethel Noortoots

Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia)

Flavia Guerra

Accademia Koefia (Italy)

Giulia Camolese

Amsterdam Fashion Academy (Netherlands)

Han Nguyen

Accademia Koefia (Italy)

Izidorius Liaučius

Vilnius Academy of Arts (Lithuania)

Kateřina Puchmertlová

UMPRUM Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (Czech Republic)

Katriin Tammajo

Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia)

Kostiantyn Polonskyi

Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (Ukraine)

Leticija Orlova

Art Academy of Latvia (Riga)

Liepa Zalatoriūtė

Vilnius Academy of Arts (Lithuania)

Lovre Lalicic

University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology (Croatia)

Michał Piotrowski

Lodz University of Technology (Poland)

Mykola Polonskyi

Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (Ukraine)

Petra Zelić

University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology (Croatia)

Sofija Donga

Art Academy of Latvia (Riga)

Sophie Pöhler

Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau (Germany)

Tiago  Soares Vieira

University of Lisbon (Portugal)

Zuzanna Russek

Lodz University of Technology (Poland)

Jury

FashionTEX Awards – Who will impress the jury and the audience?

Creativity meets technology, and the best ideas take center stage! At the FashionTEX Festival 2026 in Riga, participating students from FashionTEX partner universities will showcase the work they developed during the Riga Makerspace 2026 event. Two awards take center stage: the Experts’ Prize and the Audience Prize.

For the Experts’ Prize, an international jury of experts evaluates the students’ creative and technological achievements. Each category is scored on a scale of 1 to 10 points.

The evaluation categories:

  • 3D Printing & Laser Cutting
  • CLO3D Animation
  • CLO3D Textures
  • Digital Creative Direction
  • Knitting
  • Physical Execution

The focus is on the interplay between digital innovation, creative concepts, and craftsmanship in execution.

Then it is the audience’s turn: for the Audience Prize, visitors can vote for their favorite outfit via QR code following the digital and physical fashion show.

Who will impress the experts, and who will captivate the audience? The FashionTEX Awards demonstrate how the next generation of designers combines fashion, craftsmanship, and digital technologies to develop new ideas for the future of the fashion world.

Isabel Palumbo

3D Artist & Augmented Reality Designer | Founder

Locus Solus Studio

Isabel Palumbo is a 3D artist, augmented reality designer, and founder of Locus Solus Studio. She creates 3D designs, textures, and immersive digital experiences for international brands and institutions such as Burberry, ZARA, Meta, Sotheby’s, and the Palace of Versailles. Her work combines fashion, 3D design, animation, and augmented reality. As a member of the FashionTEX 2026 jury, she contributes her expertise in digital fashion, 3D design, and immersive technologies to the evaluation of work by FashionTEX students.

Uwe Bodenschatz

Designer & Researcher | Sustainable Digital Fabrication

TU Dresden

Uwe Bodenschatz is a designer and researcher specializing in sustainable digital fabrication and innovative biomaterials. At TU Dresden, he explores—among other things—new possibilities for 3D printing using natural and biodegradable materials. His work combines traditional craftsmanship with digital technologies such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and experimental prototyping. As a member of the FashionTEX 2026 jury, he contributes his expertise in sustainable materials, digital fabrication, and 3D printing to the evaluation of the FashionTEX students’ work.

Franziska Heinze

Textile & Fashion Designer

Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau

Franziska Heinze is a textile and fashion designer working in the Textile Art/Textile Design program at the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau (located in Schneeberg). Her work combines traditional textile techniques with experimental design and new forms of textile creation. Under her own label, Tikkiroll, she develops graphic textiles, wearable designs, and experimental textile pieces. As a member of the FashionTEX 2026 jury, she contributes her expertise in textile design, material development, and innovative textile creation to the evaluation of work by FashionTEX students.

Isabelle Udo

Digital Artist & Creative Technologist | Founder

videOrbit Studio

Isabelle Udo is an Amsterdam-based digital artist and creative technologist, as well as the founder of videOrbit Studio. Her work combines digital fashion, augmented reality, interactive installations, and immersive storytelling. She has executed projects for international brands and platforms such as Burberry, Meta, Versace, Coachella, and Tommy Hilfiger, and focuses extensively on new forms of digital identity and fashion. As a member of the FashionTEX 2026 jury, she contributes her expertise in digital fashion, creative technology, and digital storytelling to the evaluation of work by FashionTEX students.

Sara Orfali

Creative Technologist & Creative Lead

LOVEKRAVT

A tech studio based in Amsterdam. Her work combines fashion, technology, and artificial intelligence with new forms of digital storytelling. She develops innovative visual and immersive concepts and, through LOVEKRAVT, has worked on projects for international brands and partners such as Dior, Bulgari, Google, Red Bull, and Riyadh Fashion Week. As a member of the FashionTEX 2026 jury, she brings her expertise in AI, digital fashion, generative media, and creative technology to the evaluation of work by FashionTEX students.

Ilone Paplovica

Patternmaker & Garment Construction Expert | Riga

Ilone Paplovica is a Riga-based pattern maker with international experience in fashion and garment construction. She completed her professional training at the renowned Istituto Secoli in Milan and subsequently gained several years of work experience in Italy. Her work combines Italian fashion craftsmanship, precise pattern construction, and practical execution. As a member of the FashionTEX 2026 jury, she contributes her expertise in pattern development, garment construction, and garment realization to the evaluation of the FashionTEX students’ work.

Elena Strahova

Founder & CEO, Riga Fashion Week | President

Baltic Fashion Federation

Elena Strahova is a prominent figure in the Baltic fashion industry and the founder and CEO of Riga Fashion Week, launched in 2004. She also serves as President of the Baltic Fashion Federation. For over two decades, she has championed the international visibility of Baltic fashion and created platforms for both emerging and established designers. As a member of the FashionTEX 2026 jury, she brings her extensive expertise in fashion, fashion events, communication, and international networking to the evaluation of work by FashionTEX students.