Gonoe Wins Prestigious Best Fashion Talent Award

On the second day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live!, the finalists—introduced by MBFL! and the Slovak Fashion Council with support from the Tatra Bank Foundation—showcased collections centered on sustainability and innovative materials.

This year’s winner, Gonoe, led by Patrik Platko and Max Basala, brings a bold yet timely approach to fashion. Both are graduates of Coventry University’s Fashion program in the UK and previously collaborated with Adidas and Depop in 2021, designing a unique Stan Smith silhouette displayed at Adidas Originals in London’s Soho. Earlier this year, they presented their collections at Graduate Fashion Week in London, where Patrik won silver for the second-best collection, and Max received an award for sustainability.

Their “Post-Materialist” collection, featured at MBFL!, reimagines unwanted garments into new creations. Their vision of fashion avoids creating new materials, focusing instead on upcycling and environmental responsibility.

“Winning the Best Fashion Talent 2024 award is a major recognition of our work, showing that our ideas resonate widely. Showcasing our collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Live! and receiving positive feedback motivates us to further promote Gonoe in Slovakia. We hope this experience opens doors to new collaborations, as MBFL! gave us the chance to connect with many talented people on the Slovak fashion scene,” Patrik Platko and Max Basala shared.

Zuzana Bobikova, Director of the Slovak Fashion Council, commented on the jury’s choice for Best Fashion Talent: “The jury appreciated not only their technical skill but also their daring philosophy. Gonoe embodies the way young designers are rethinking values in the fashion industry—their work prompts us to consider our future relationship with clothing. This award gives Gonoe a chance to grow and develop.”

New Sustainability Award

For the first time, organizers also presented a special sustainability award.

 “At the Slovak Fashion Council, we closely follow fashion industry trends and respond with new initiatives. We’ve created a green fashion map featuring sustainable brands and developed a detailed sustainability questionnaire based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and upcoming EU legislation. Adding a sustainability award felt like a natural next step in promoting responsible fashion,” explained Zuzana Bobikova.

 This award’s partner, Corwin, a leading developer focused on eco-friendly projects and sustainable architecture, has long established itself as a leader in environmental responsibility, integrating urban life with nature and sustainable solutions. Their collaboration with the Best Fashion Talent award reflects their commitment to sustainability.

 “For Corwin, sustainability isn’t just an idea; it’s a commitment we bring into every phase of our work—from design to construction and operation. We’re proud to support initiatives that share our vision of responsible action for the future,” said Corwin CEO, Marian Hlavacka.

 Dominika Kozakova won the Sustainable Fashion Talent Award for her innovative approach to upcycling and use of deadstock materials. Her work demonstrates that sustainable fashion can be both highly creative and a significant player on the global stage.

“Dominika Kozakova’s approach to sustainability is thoughtful and integrated into each stage of her work, from design to consumption. She skillfully uses the latest sustainable practices and tools, which are quickly becoming essential in fashion. Her work is an example of how sustainability can become central to fashion production in the future,” remarked fashion historian Dana Lapsanska.

Dominika also received the Refresher Fashion Talent Award from media partner refresher.sk for her bold designs that reflect the mood and values of today’s younger generation.