At the end of March 2026, Sofia became the epicenter of fashion, beauty, and art, thanks to Balkan Open Door - one of the most significant fashion events in the region. Held in the artistic space TENTA, this event, part of the Bulgarian Fashion Week, organized by Code Fashion TV, brought together established Balkan designers.
Fashion Dialogue in the Balkans
The idea for Balkan Open Door belongs to Mila Zaharieva, president of International Fashion Connection, in partnership with Maria Boneva from Code Media Group. The mission of the project is to serve as a platform for uniting fashion, art, and cultural identity of the Balkans, creating a dialogue between different cultures.
“I am happy that we are doing another edition of Balkan Open Door, a platform for uniting and opening the Balkans in the field of fashion and art,” shared Mila Zaharieva at the press conference before the event, emphasizing the importance of the event for creators.
The evening was filled with creative energy, shared emotions, and rhythm. Each designer presented their unique view of fashion, turning it into a narrative. Bulgaria was represented by Terry’s Fashion Style, with designer Terry Karaivanova, presenting her collection “She.”
The Bulgarian Perspective: Terry’s Fashion Style
Terry Karaivanova created a collection dedicated to the beauty, strength, and elegance of women. She emphasized that her collection was inspired by the muse, the mother, and the friend – all aspects of the woman who creates her own reality. The collection combines classic and contemporary trends, showing femininity and elegance, intertwined with Bulgarian culture.
Karaivanova shared with Tialoto.bg that she is inspired by colors, nature, and people, “because of the energy they carry, I am inspired by the creation in the person. I am inspired by creating beauty.”
International Response: Participants in Balkan Open Door
Among the other participants were representatives of men's fashion from the Turkish brand Altinyildiz Classics, Anny STYLE from Serbia, SArté by Sarita Gzhini from Albania, as well as designer Stefanija Naseska from North Macedonia. Montenegro was represented by Shift Studio by Ana Kragovic and Sanela Design by Sanela Djoković, and from Kosovo, models were presented by Etnik Shala.
Altinyildiz Classics: The Classic in Men's Fashion
Altinyildiz Classics is an established brand since 1952, which combines classic elegance with a modern understanding of style. The visual identity of the brand is minimalist, with a predominant black and white color scheme, creating a sense of universality and easy recognition.
Ana Pantić Račić and Anny STYLE
Serbia was represented by Ana Pantić Račić, who debuted with the Noir Code collection at the Bulgarian Fashion Week. Noir Code tells of the contrast between strength and elegance, using black and white aesthetics. Račić shared that the idea for presenting her collection at Balkan Open Door was born after a meeting with Mila Zaharieva.
Sanela Design: Femininity and Variety
Sanela Design by Sanela Djoković presented models that emphasize femininity and contemporary style, allowing every woman to discover something special. The models combine elegance and drama.
Shift Studio: Fashion as Artistic Expression
Ana Kragovic from Shift Studio has presented her models in many countries, establishing her bold creative signature. The brand creates clothes for modern personalities who value originality and individual style, with an emphasis on a sustainable approach to fashion.
SArté and Midnight Flower
Sarita Gzhini from SArté presented the Midnight Flower collection, inspired by the blooming of flowers in the dark. She marked her debut in the MUSA Competition, where she combines Albanian traditional elements with contemporary fashion trends. Her participation in the event takes her to Fashion Week in Paris and on the runways in Miami, and now in Sofia.
Stefanija Naseska: Combination of Tradition and Modernity
Stefanija Naseska from North Macedonia presents tradition in a contemporary way, drawing inspiration from local culture. Her designs have been shown at international fashion events, including in China. In 2026, she celebrates 15 years on the fashion scene.
Etink Shala: Rediscovering the Marks
Etnik Shala from Kosovo presented the Scar collection, which considers scars as proof of strength. His collection is presented at Milan Fashion Week, turning imperfection into luxury. According to him, fashion is a way to tell your story.
Inspiration from Guests and Future Perspectives
The event was attended by diplomats and representatives of the Balkan countries, including the ambassadors of Romania and Albania. The collections presented at Balkan Open Door showed a variety of styles, from minimalism to bold conceptual solutions, telling stories about identity and cultural heritage.
The event also included the launch of Fashion and Art Hub – Balkan Open Door, which aims to unite the Balkan countries through fashion and art, providing opportunities for collaborations and development. Balkan Open Door continues to serve as a platform for creators in the region.
Balkan Open Door not only opened doors but also built bridges to a more connected and inspiring Balkan creative future. What's next for the fashion scene in the Balkans?