The defining characteristics of Art Nouveau (also known as Secession) – its flexible, winding lines, botanical ornamentation, and stylized animal depictions – all reflect the beauty and harmony of nature. This dreamlike world came to life at the Rejtő Sándor Faculty of Light Industry and Environmental Engineering’s Product Design Institute’s “SECESSION 2.0” fashion show. This event showcased the semester projects of Hungarian and English-speaking industrial product and design engineering students.
The collections blended the visual world of Southern Hungarian Art Nouveau with contemporary fashion tools, bridging the gap between past and present, tradition and innovation. The unique forms, organic decorative motifs, and rich color palette inspired the students during the design process. Thus, the garments are not only beautiful but can also be seen as a reinterpretation of our cultural heritage.
Art Nouveau flourished from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, a period that saw the emergence of a new female ideal: the independent, educated, and active woman. This shift was also evident in fashion, as clothes became more comfortable and practical, allowing women greater freedom of movement. Although it was known by different names in various places (e.g., Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Secession), the essence remained the same. Furthermore, Hungarian Art Nouveau drew heavily from folk art, exemplified by works from Zsolnay, Ödön Lechner, and Miksa Róth.
This world was evoked by the students of the Rejtő Faculty, including Bohus Anna, Fülöp Dániel, Hirsch Péter, Kiss Maja Lilien, Mészáros Eszter, Liziczai Fruzsina, Nagy Anna Viktória, Rábaközi Dóra, Simon András, Simon Boglárka Júlia, Szabó Lilla, Szabó Anett, Al Akroush Noor Hatem, Hyrah Correia Pereira, Mina Jakovljevic, Ibrahim AlAnoud Muhannad Jawdat, Melvin Ntwali Kadende, Argen Kanatbekov, Laura Alexandra Lozano Sanchez, Santiago José Márquez Dimaté, Willy Gustave Shimwa Duhirwe, Arailym Syeit, Jeanne d’arc Umutoni, and Kadingkham Xaiyavong.
Key faculty and staff members from the Product Design Institute involved in realizing this project include: Dr. habil Edit Csanák DLA, Dr. Dóra Papp-Vid DLA, Dr. Orsolya Nagyné Szabó, Péterné Korona, András Koleszár, Virág Némethy, and Viktória Sima-Molnár.
