Georgian Designers Taking Over Fashion Industry!
It's a proud moment for me when I hear Georgian designers are styling the Hollywood celebrities. That's my country and those are my people that are conquering the fashion world everyday. Besides picturesque landscapes and diverse cuisine, Georgia is at its peak in the fashion industry. The young generation of designers are emerging using cultural heritage with mix of today's fashion etiquette and they are attracting all the attention of fashion lovers. Specifically celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian clan have become fans of Georgian designers.
The Republic of Georgia
Georgia lies at the intersection of Europe and Asia. It's a small but very alluring country. You hear about Paris or Milan's fashion week but there is a new rising hotspot for emerging talent in Georgia's capital of Tbilisi. Many call it a home to some of the world's finest visionaries. Now that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is held twice a year, Georgian designers have the opportunity to reach new heights of global acknowledgment. Here's a round-up of some of my favorite Georgian fashion designers that are quickly rising in the fashion industry.
Demna Gvasalia
I'm starting of my list with Demna Gvasalia because he has recently showcased a beautiful MET look that Kim Kardashian West wore. In today's fashion industry there are designers and than there is Demna Gvasalia. His unique vision has put him and his talent on the radar not only in Europe but the US as well. Born in Georgia in 1981, Demna always knew that his passion was Fashion Design. In 2014, he founded the fashion house Vetements with his brother, Guram Gvasalia and in 2015 he was appointed as the artistic Director of Balenciaga's collections. He has won many fashion awards along the way and in 2020, he announced the reintroduction of Haute Couture for balenciaga and bringing back “its sources of origin” and creating “an unexplored mode of creative freedom and a platform for innovation”.
Mach & Mach
Two Georgian sisters, Gvantsa and Nina Macharashvili, started this luxury fashion label. Their passion for fashion started when they were just children but they always knew and aimed at creating Haute couture, ready to wear designs. Their fashion sense and style has reached many Hollywood celebrities such as Megan Fox, Kylie Jenner and Katy Perry. The brand is known for its eccentric, bright, futuristic and sparkly apparel designed for strong, fashionable, and career driven women. Below are some of their designs - tell me they aren't the cutest styles!
Avtandil
A fun fact about this Georgian designer. Avtandil Tskvitinidze, was the one that made me fall in love with fashion in the first place. When I lived in Tbilisi, I got a gig to showcase children's fashion designed by Avtandil himself. He was young and still coming up in Georgia. I was only 7 years old but It was the best experience and loved wearing his clothes even at the age of 7. He even gave me and the rest of the kiddos the dresses as a gift for doing such an amazing job. But that night when I went home I knew this was it for me. Avtandil is a veteran designer who has been in the industry for a long time and his styles speak for themselves. Both looks by Lady Gaga and Mary J Blige were from his collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Tbilisi.
David Koma
David Koma, also known as David Komakhidze, is a London based fashion designer. He was around 8 years old when he started drawing dresses and designed his first collection by age 13. In 2013 he was appointed an artistic director of the Maison Mugler because of his great talent. David Koma has become synonymous with body contouring silhouette and creating sculptural statements which was inspired by feminine forms. In 2013 he was appointed an artistic director of the Maison Mugler. David komas work is one of its kind.
George Keburia
A self-taught designer from Tbilisi, found his label in 2010 introduced his feminine classiness and masculine elegance.At the age of 20, he turned his tiny sunglass shop into a full blown obsession for celebrities such as Rihanna, Gigi and Bella Hadid and Kourtney Kardashian. Keburia has a very unique approach to his designs and you really don't want to miss it.
There is an artsy touch to most things Georgian it seems. The food, the wine – and obviously the fashion.
I hope more people will discover not only the Georgia designers but the many treasures in the small and beautiful country!