In Vienna’s 15th district, a local Volkshochschule, normally home to language courses and community classes, shifted into an unexpected runway. Its retro, everyday architecture grounded the show, while focused lighting and immersive sound pushed the space into something cinematic. For international visitors, this choice reflected AFA’s ethos of bringing Austrian experimental fashion into everday spaces and celebrating it as public culture.

Alessandro Santi‘s collection moved across the stage with a lively, almost theatrical energy. It was characterized by bold silhouettes, surprising styling choices and a cast that brought together different age groups and appearances. Santi’s pieces, interpreted by stylist Daliah Spiegel, played with movement and layering, creating moments that were somewhere between performance and fashion without veering into over-the-top staging.
In an AFA interview earlier this year, Santi explained that the organization’s support funding allows him to pursue a non-conventional, collaborative design process shaped by dialogue with queer and norm-critical artists. In the same conversation, he also spoke about the aesthetic references that inspire him, mentioning Fellini’s ecclesiastical runway scene in Roma (1972) as a long-time favorite for its mix of design, humor, performance, and light.

The dim lighting gave the room a quiet intensity, making the large shoulder pads in Laura Andraschko’s looks stand out even more. Selected pieces featured card-deck motifs – from printed fabrics to a dress that looked as if the model had wrapped herself in an entire deck of cards. These pieces were part of her SS26 Monte Carlo collection, which had already drawn attention in Paris. Other outstanding elements at the AFA show added extra flair, from high plateau cowhide boots to open-toe shoes paired with delicate anklets, some adorned with tiny card-inspired charms. Her work combines a striking mix of rebellion, theatricality, and nostalgic costume elements.
Born in Berlin to Austrian parents, she moved between two contrasting urban worlds that shaped her sense of style and aesthetics. She later refined these influences at Central Saint Martins, where she graduated in 2021, and has since translated these experiences into collections that feel both wearable and meticulously constructed.

The City of Vienna Prize, presented by City Councilor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler, underscores her position as one of the most exciting voices in Austria’s fashion scene. Her work shows how clothing can carry art, commentary, and personal history at once.

Julian Schock’s looks demanded attention the moment they hit the runway: precise cuts, clean lines, and careful construction made every seam feel intentional. Instead of relying on spectacle, Schock created impact through restraint. Proportion, structure, and quiet confidence carried the pieces. They lingered in memory not because they shouted but because their quiet expertise revealed itself gradually – the kind of subtle excellence that grows on you.
He studied at the University of Applied Arts Vienna and deepened his skills in painting and animation before continuing at Central Saint Martins. In 2024, he received a fashion start-up scholarship in Austria, recognizing his consistent and thoughtful approach to design.

GATTO, a duo from Vienna and Amsterdam, brought an energy to the runway that deliberately combines different worlds. In their collection MIAMI 2 IBIZA, punk attitude and gabber pressure collided with ’70s rebellion, the playful cheekiness of the 2010s, and folkloric details. Nothing felt random, but nothing felt overly polished either.
On their own platform, GATTO describe themselves as a label that functions more as a lifestyle – a space where fashion, music, photography, attitude, and the people who shape you merge together. This idea was clearly evident in the show. The looks felt less like classic outfits and more like parts of a shared scene. It’s not just fashion; it’s a movement. Not just a series of pieces, but a system of influences, people and moments that come together to convey a feeling.

Receiving the Outstanding Artist Award, presented by Olga Okunev of the Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Public Service, and Sport, felt like a recognition not only for Zimmermann’s mastery but of the relevance of jewelry as a form of contemporary cultural expression. Her work sparkles and speaks.