On September 11, the State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw hosted the Graduation Show of this year’s graduates from the International School of Costume and Fashion Design (MSKPU), combined with the celebration of MSKPU’s 20th anniversary.
Nearly 50 graduates presented their original collections, which were evaluated by the Examination Committee chaired by the Director of MSKPU, Dr. Magdalena Płonka. The distinguished group also included MSKPU lecturers and mentors, such as Magdalena Floryszczyk, Zofia Kula-Jeżewska, Ewa Polkowska, Mariusz Brzozowski, Marcin Paprocki, Michał Zaczyński, Barbara Łubko, Catherine NHung, as well as lecturers from partner universities Christina Bifano (IED Barcelona), Theresa Lobo (IADE Creative University), and William Cantu (Universidade de Leiria, Portugal).
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the numerous and prestigious jury members who evaluated the collections of the young designers:
The level of this year’s diploma projects was exceptionally high. Most graduates completed their studies with top grades, and several received distinctions. Creativity, originality, a sustainable approach to fashion, recycling, upcycling, and craftsmanship were the main characteristics of the 2024 graduates’ projects.
Among the numerous partners and media patrons who awarded individual distinctions were 4F, Maciej Zień, Vistula, Deni Cler, LPP, Teatr Capitol, Greenpoint, Elle, K MAG, Best Fashion Media, MiuMag, La Mode, La Mania, Risk, Estimon, Paprocki & Brzozowski, Bytom, Wólczanka, Agazi, Dalia, Realme, Nicoletta, RP Roger Publishing, OtoFilm, Natulim, as well as Twój Styl and OTCF.
List of Awardees:
4F/OTCF – Adrian Rusowicz @adrvsx
Agazi – Katarzyna Jędrak @katarzyna.jedrak
Dalia Lingerie – Zofia Brud @psiakreww and Magdalena Karsznia @karsznia_design
Deni Cler – Justyna Kościółek @kosciolek.j
ELLE Polska – Natalia Stanik @ntlia_stanik_
Estimon – Emilia Polańska @emiliapolanskaa
Fashion Biznes – Wiktoria Pydych @wiktoriapydych
Greenpoint – Natalia Stanik @ntlia_stanik_
K Mag – Zuzanna Kreja @krejazuzanna
La Mania – Adrian Rusowicz @adrvsx and Kacper Kiendyś @kkiendys
LPP – Zofia Rola @zosia.anastasia and Magdalena Karsznia @karsznia_design
Maciej Zień – Melisa Kołatek @_melisamelia_
Museum of the History of Katowice – Aleksandra Sochan @asochan.costumes
Natulim – Karolina Kosewska @kosewska_karolina
Oto Film – Alicja Skurzyńska @alicjaska and Anna Zentkowska @zentkovska
Paprocki & Brzozowski – Natalia Stanik @ntlia_stanik_
Phoenix – Klaudia Hegab @hegabka
Realme – Adrian Rusowicz @adrvsx
Risk Made In Warsaw – Angelica Kotowska @angelicakotowska
Roger Publishing – Magdalena Karsznia @karsznia_design
Sustainable Fashion Institute – Natalia Stanik @ntlia_stanik_
Teatr Capitol – Klaudia Hegab @hegabka and Aleksandra Sochan @asochan.costumes
White Mad – Anna Zentkowska @zentkovska and Justyna Kościółek @kosciolek.j
Film Union – Aleksandra Sochan @asochan.costumes and Natalia Zabdyr-Jamróz @natalia.zabdyr.jamroz
MSKPU Team – Patrycja Biały @xxpatrycja_bialyxx, Patrycja Smektała @patrycja.smektala, Aleksandra Kryk @sevlley, Anna Zentkowska @zentkovska, Aleksandra Sochan @asochan.costumes
This year’s show is a wonderful culmination of MSKPU’s 20th anniversary. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better jubilee gift. Special recognition goes to the Costume Design students, who created collections with profound intellectual messages. Marcel Chojnacki, whose collection is entirely sourced from second-hand materials, deserves immense praise for his attention to detail. Aleksandra Sochan, who reinterpreted characters from Wyspiański’s The Wedding, using traditional hand-sewing and embroidery techniques, and Klaudia Hegab, who presented a collection inspired by Scheherazade, drawing on its rich symbolism,” said Dr. Magdalena Płonka, Director of MSKPU.
“I have been collaborating with the school for several years, and I must admit that the level of this year’s projects was exceptionally high. I appreciate the creativity and precise execution. I awarded Melisa Kołatek for her extraordinary attention to detail, which is crucial for me as a designer. I hope the internship will be the beginning of a promising career for her,” said Maciej Zień.
Among the graduates <strong>recognized</strong> by leading fashion brands in Poland and abroad were: Natalia Stanik (4 distinctions), Aleksandra Sochan (4 distinctions), Adrian Rusowicz (3 distinctions), Klaudia Hegab (2 distinctions), Magdalena Karsznia (3 distinctions), Justyna Kościółek (3 distinctions), Anna Zentkowska (3 distinctions), as well as Natalia Zabdyr-Jamróz, Zofia Brud, Monika Erdener, Melisa Kołatek, Karolina Kosewska, Wiktoria Pydych, and Zofia Rola. These graduates have been offered prestigious internships and collaboration opportunities with major fashion brands and designers.
“I am very excited and happy. I didn’t expect to receive so many industry distinctions. My collection is inspired by the play The Wedding, and I aimed to translate its symbolism into a contemporary fashion language,” said Aleksandra Sochan, who was recognized by, among others, Teatr Capitol, MSKPU, and the Silesian Museum.
“My diploma project, titled Hope, was inspired by art and architecture. I started with the idea that humans are created to bring beauty and positive energy into the world,” shared Natalia Stanik, who received recognition from brands such as Greenpoint.
Since its inception, MSKPU has promoted the ideas of ecology and ethics, initiating numerous pro-ecological actions and campaigns related to animal rights protection, thus changing the way fashion is perceived. A perfect example of these efforts is the premiere of the book “Sustainable Textiles” by Ewa Polkowska, a graduate of MSKPU.
The grand finale of the event was hosted by Gabi Drzewiecka, and the musical setting was provided by Ofelia. The event was concluded with a delicious vegan cake, and the congratulations and toasts seemed endless.
Text: Aleksandra Siudowska/AKPA
