3 October 2025  Austria's Fashion Awards Return in NovemberOn 12 November 2025, the Austrian Fashion Association (AFA) will host the country's most prestigious fashion awards at the VHS Veranstaltungszentrum Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus in Vienna. Since its founding in 2014, the AFA has been at the centre of Austria's fashion landscape, supporting the professionalisation and internationalisation of local designers. Alongside funding programmes and initiatives such as the How to Fashion series with the Vienna Business Agency, the Austrian Fashion Awards have become the most significant stage for Austrian contemporary fashion.Funding, Jury and CampaignThe awards night presents two major distinctions: the Modepreis der Stadt Wien and the Outstanding Artist Award for experimental fashion design by the BMWKMS. The jury includes internationally respected voices such as Elise By Olsen (International Library of Fashion Research, Oslo), Francesca Gavin (Epoch Review), Kaat Debo (ModeMuseum Antwerpen), Laura Darmon (ENG, Shanghai), M-C Hill (SHOWstudio), and Markus Strasser (Concept Store PARK, Vienna). In addition to the award winners, the show will feature works by designers funded in 2024, among them Alessandro Santi, Martin Niklas Wieser, and GÜÇ. With a total of €120,000 granted last year, AFA continues to handle Austria's largest support budget for fashion designers. The event campaign was produced by the Austrian Fashion Association, with photography by Josephine Meng, videography by Margarita Keller, and styling by Alara Kocman.Local Strengths and International OutlookAustria's fashion ecosystem is defined by small yet resilient local success stories, emerging at a time when demand for alternatives to global fashion chains continues to rise. Yet, for many designers, the goal is to achieve international recognition or to work for global labels. To this end, the Austrian Fashion Association has developed strategies that combine funding, mentoring, and visibility abroad. The approach is bearing fruit: Vogue Germany recently listed several Austrian names to watch, including Christoph Rumpf, Martin Niklas Wieser, and GÜÇ.Images, from left: Camille Boyer, head of the Austrian Fashion Association. Photo: © Margarita Keller. Right: Campaign image for the Austrian Fashion Awards 2025, produced by AFA. Photo: © Josephine Meng Credits campaign: Photography & Talent: Josephine Meng Videography & Editing: Margarita Keller Videography Assistance: Nick Shandra Hair: Yumiko Hikage Styling: Alara Kocman Production: Austrian Fashion Association Fashion & Accessories: Laura Andraschko, Martin Niklas Wieser, Petra Zimmermann, Sans Contrefaçons, Sassa Ann Van Wyk |