Moscow Fashion Week officially opened on September 26 with a packed programme at the historic Manege, bringing together emerging designers, established labels and regional fashion talent from across Russia.
The opening day featured almost ten hours of continuous programming, with three runway halls operating simultaneously from the afternoon into the evening. Shows were scheduled at roughly 30-minute intervals, creating a fast-moving programme in which one presentation often ended as guests were already gathering for the next.
The day began with emerging talent. A joint showcase by Universal University and the British Higher School of Art and Design opened the runway programme, followed by a presentation from the Academy of Branding and Design “Metrics”.
The emphasis on young and emerging designers reflected the breadth of this season’s participation. Moscow Fashion Week organisers received 1,047 applications from 63 Russian regions, with nearly half coming from debut brands. First-time applicants included designers from cities such as Alushta, Veliky Ustyug, Iskitim and Abakan.
From the afternoon onward, the runway shifted its focus towards designers representing different parts of Russia.
Tatiana Kotova from Chelyabinsk presented her collection at 2:30 PM, followed by Stas Lopatkin from St. Petersburg at 4:30 PM. Yakutia-based label Inniki appeared at 8:00 PM, while St. Petersburg designer Ianis Chamalidy closed the opening day's runway programme at 9:00 PM.
Alongside the regional designers, Moscow labels including ММÉ, Surovaya, Atelier Duo and Atelier Irina Vorobyeva were featured throughout the day's schedule.
But the opening of Moscow Fashion Week extended beyond the runway. The Manege hosted a Pop-Up Shop on Level -2, bringing together garments, footwear and accessories from nearly 100 Russian labels. Visitors could explore the space between runway presentations, with public admission available free of charge through prior registration.
The venue also hosted the opening activities of the Moscow Fashion Week Lecture Series, bringing together fashion professionals, entrepreneurs, industry experts and representatives of leading design institutions. The discussions focused on subjects including fashion education, technology and evolving career opportunities within the industry.
The scale and geographic diversity of the opening programme reflected the broader character of this season's Moscow Fashion Week. Designers from different regions appeared alongside Moscow-based labels and established names, while students and first-time participants shared the programme with more experienced fashion houses.
By the end of September 26, the Manege had hosted a full day of runway presentations, educational programming and commercial activity, officially marking the start of this year's Moscow Fashion Week.