Words and photography: Lewis Vorn
What do a robot named Burgonia, a Lisa Barlow doppelgänger and the hosts of ‘Poland’s Next Top Model’ all have in common?… Well they all rushed to Slovenia’s capital this October to get a glimpse of the incredible designers showcasing their new collections at Ljubjiana fashion week.
Ljubljana is the biggest city in Slovenia - its capital - and since 2014 has hosted its continuously growing fashion week. With a wealth of designers, like Lan Krebs and ÆMONA who have already sent whispers of intrigue and excitement across other European runways, and a close knit community of organisers whose main passion is to highlight their countries emerging talent, LJFW is only going from strength to strength - I couldn’t wait to see what the 2026 edition had to offer.
Day 1
Arriving on a wet Wednesday morning we were greeted by stunning mountain views. One of the other trip attendees even accurately remarked, “It looks like a Milka advert,” as we were whisked from the airport to our hotel in the heart of the city.
We quickly freshened up and headed down to meet our host Melinda Rebrek, the effervescent co-founder/producer of LJFW. “We’re going to Georgie Bistro, it’s one of my favourites and has the best Slovenian produce,” she told us. I immediately felt at home, gossiping and sipping delicious Slovenian orange wine with Melinda, as she spoke about what to expect from the hectic fashion week schedule. “They will be filming a few episodes of ‘Poland’s next top model’ here this year,” she told us, and my reality TV obsessed brain couldn’t wait to see how the sausage was made. I didn’t know then that in just a few hours I’d be sat front row, shoulder to shoulder with all of the head judges, cameras in my face, thinking “WTF is this going to look like when it airs on the actual television?”
For the first day of shows, we sat front row, Champagne in hand, next to the Top Model judges and the rest of the capitals most fashion forward obsessives.
SANIJA REJA ASKE X SOFIA NOGARD
Day 2
We had a gorgeous hotel brekkie, mini pastries, Slovenian cheese and petrol fuel coffee. Stumbled around the city, did some shopping, bought a cute dragon magnet for my mental collection (Ljubljana is famous for its Dragon Bridge), and then we trekked to catch a view of the castle. The views of the city were gorgeous and the rain didnt dampen our spirits.
After the castle we met back up with Melinda and the group for another slap up meal, this time at boutique hotel Vander. I had chicken and almost spat it out when I noticed a glamorous brunette in sunglasses ordering a red wine at the bar: “OMG,” I thought. “It’s queen of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Lisa Barlow.” I kid you not. “Of course she’s here,” I continued, “filming a SLC girls trip in Slovenia perhaps? Laying low in her suite until the rain stops?” So I drunkly approached her to say hi, but in a flash she was disappearing behind the elevator doors. I’ll see her front row tonight hopefully!
A quick IG stalk on stories back at the hotel and I sadly came to the realisation that Ms Barlow was in fact in LA. I still choose to believe she could be two places at once like Dr Who but sipping Diet Cokes and singing Baby Gorgeous instead of exterminating Daleks.
SARIVALENCI
Inspired by Fake Birkins, Sailor Moon and soundtracked by trashy Croatian club music from her childhood. Her collection stood out as a defiant celebration of Bad taste. Very Polyester coded!
PETJA ZOREC
Inspired by Zorec’s past as a professional swimmer. The models also walked to a playlist of Kylie Minogue “Slow” and Madonna, which was enough for me to obsess over.
Day 3
Melinda’s lovely partner Alesh drove us to Lake Bled, only around 30 mins in a car from the city. At Lake Bled we looked around the castle and tried one of Slovenia’s famous custard slices, kremna rezina. We were rudely interrupted by a very obnoxious Austrailain lady who told us that the kremma rezina in the castle was a cheap dupe and that the original iconic version could be purchased at a 5 star hotel by the river for 9 euros, and came with a tiny silver fork, not a wooden one like we were using. THE CHEEK!
Back to the city and we were ready for night three of LJFW!
LAN KREBS
Opening the show with ‘Party’ by Troye Sivan. The models flashed past, drenched in hot pink, electric blue neon knitwear.
GAUCHO COUTURE
A show stopping finale! Gaucho’s collection introduced us to the ultimate femme fatale, Inspired by 1950s French cinema, each model slowly sauntered down the runway looking like glorious individually wrapped sweets. Humbugs came to mind when I saw the standout being the graphic monochrome dress look appear.
After the shows we were treated to a gorgeous meal at one of the city’s buzziest food spots. Birdie. The best Porchetta, peppered steak, feta and filo pastry with honey, steak tartare, and risotto Milanese I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. Oh and the wine pairings, HEAVEN!
Day 4
We had a very lazy morning after our hectic day and food coma from Birdie. The shows stated a little earlier so we settled back into the front row, by now we were exchanging pleasantries with the Top Model judges - Joanna Krupa, former RHOM and absolute angel on earth was our fav. After a few shows and a break, however, we were shocked to come back to find the Top Model judges had moved further along - and I was now sat next to a robot wearing ballet flats, a bow and a tutu. In the age of AI and the impending I Robot style apocalypse takeover I was not impressed. The robot clapped as its owner and designer debuted their collection. I was freaked out, but by the time the show had finished I realised the robot was pretty chill. I spoke with her human mate and asked about how they knew each other. She introduced the robot as ‘Burgonia’ and said she was just big fashion girlie who loved to show up and support her best friend. I couldn’t argue with that.
MATIC VELER
Futuristic, metallic structures that felt like they could exist in a world beyond ours.
SAMPLED, THE BOY AND THE FISH
Created by Timotej Rosc and inspired by local folk lore of women who carried trout to the nearby bishops seat. The gorgeous mix of wet textures and recycled fabric created a collection deserving of the prize Rosc received at the end of the night.
