Golden Needle 2025 - Awards
Only days remain until the climax of Bulgarian fashion design – the Annual “Golden Needle” Awards! As tradition dictates, before the official ceremony, a magical fashion show will present the special and latest creations of emblematic Bulgarian designers and fashion houses. The show will open with Sonya Bozova and her brand for Bulgarian folkloric costumes and cultural tourism – Bulgarche by Bozov Style. Under the patronage of Christian of Roma, owned by Elena Cristiano – a “Golden Needle” laureate – the impressive hair designers Kina Kudeva and George Todorov will introduce their work through an unconventional performance. Ivette Bianchi – winner of the Golden Needle 2024 in the category “Best Young Designer” and founder of Ivette Bianchi – will present the collection “The Hand (a hand of cards)”, inspired by the world of the casino – a place of play, risk, and seduction.Axel Hardy – two-time Golden Needle winner – will showcase the collection “Fusion”, which combines substyles and materials into a unified whole, emblematic of the brand’s aesthetic.Polya Kinova, also a two-time Golden Needle winner, will present “Colors of the Soul”, a project marking 20 years of the Paloma Fashion brand.Three-time Golden Needle winner and 2022 Designer of the Year, Stoyan Radichev, will unveil his newest collection of evening gowns. Edis Pala – designer of Edis Pala – will present his newest collection “Unspoken: Sustainable Healing” for Fall/Winter 2025.Maria Radoslavova – a Golden Needle winner and designer of Mia Touchè – will showcase the collection “Velvet”, sending messages about the mystique of womanhood and the harmony of strength and softness.Lilyana Petrova – Lulu – designer of BYLLU, will present “A Dialogue Between Canvas and Textile”. The fashion house Esil Duran Fashion Gallery, led by designer Esil Duran, will present a bold, glamorous, irresistibly feminine collection.Golden Needle laureate Neli Koleva will show her Spring/Summer 2026 line.The brand Imane, with designer Antonia Stoyanova, will present special looks expressing contemporary elegance, femininity, and confidence.Nikoleta Farhat – designer of NF Maison de Couture – will present her second standalone collection, “The Shadow of the Samodiva.” During the ceremony, the Golden Needle 2025 awards will be presented in categories such as:Designer of the Year, Fashion Brand of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Artistic Fashion, Accessories, Visionary in Music and Fashion, Best Young Designer, and more.Traditionally, the nominations of the Fashion Academy are proposed by an expert council consisting of leading fashion and lifestyle journalists from both print and digital media in Bulgaria. Special awards such as the Golden Scissors and Rising Star will also honor outstanding achievements in fashion design and business. The Golden Needle 2025 in the category “Best Foreign Designer” was awarded to the legendary Italian haute couture master Rocco Barocco, renowned worldwide. The award for his contribution to global fashion was presented in person by Prof. Lyubomir Stoykov during Barocco’s show in Sofia this October, held at the invitation of Mrs. Anelia Petkova. Regarding the upcoming fashion gala, Prof. Lyubomir Stoykov – Chairman of the Fashion Academy – shared:“The goal of these glamorous and beautiful fashion shows is to highlight the achievements of leading Bulgarian designers and hair stylists. This year, most collections emphasize modern interpretations of elegance and femininity, as well as a reevaluation of aesthetic values – the independence of the modern woman, ethical and sustainable fashion, the connection between painting and design, and the imagination and subconscious as sources of inspiration and innovation. I am genuinely excited about their messages and believe the Bulgarian designer school will once again show class and professionalism!” The host of the gala evening will be the beautiful Geri Doncheva Yankov, who will shine in designs by Nikoleta Farhat and NF Maison de Couture.The “Golden Needle” statuettes, as always, are crafted by the magnificent jeweler Angelo Krasini, who also created the metal sculptures for the “Golden Scissors” and “Rising Star” awards.The stage production of the fashion show is by Ivaylo Krastev. The perfect look of the models and host will be entrusted to the hairstyling team and professional makeup artists from V&A Glamour beauty salons.The award ceremony will conclude with an elegant cocktail reception, during which guests will enjoy irresistible desserts from Nedelya pastry shops. “Golden Needle 2025” is realized with the kind support of:DSK Bank, Christian of Roma, Palms Royale Sofia Complex, Moto Phoe, Balkantel, Lavazza Coffee, Nirvana Gallery, ONE Gallery, Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia, KWIAT, V&A Glamour, Nedelya Pastry Shops, Samokov Hotel, Talisman Flower Boutique, and Thorax Clinics.
