Bulgarian Designer Salon Exhibition IVAN ASEN 22:

COSMIC SnowWhite

Twice a year, designer Neli Mitewa stages unique creations by independent, young Bulgarian fashion designers in Sofia under a specific motto. She is not only the curator of the exclusive exhibition, but also the founder of the conceptual designer platform:
IVAN ASEN 22.

This year’s winter edition of the Ivan Asen 22 exhibition takes place under the motto COSMIC SnowWhite. From December 7 to 22, up-and-coming designers present their artistic creations that take the beauty of snow and ice as a source of inspiration. The vastness and mysticism of the cosmos play an inspirational role. The idea of a fairytale Snow White in space resonates in the designs. A futuristic and imaginative journey into magical infinity.

At the same time, there are allusions to the Space Age era of the 60s. Iconic dresses and accessories by designers André Courrèges and Paco Rabanne serve as models. The gentleness, romance and femininity of the fairytale heroine contrast with a modern, emancipated image linked to new technologies.

„What if such a well-known character from fairy tales, whose name contains the whiteness of winter, the beauty of snow, found herself on a journey far from Earth, into the cosmic infinity?“

Neli Mitewa, designer and founder of the designer salon Ivan Asen 22.

Layers of sheer fabrics, ruffles and fitted ‚princess‘ silhouettes contrast with cold metal surfaces and the hardness of protective ‚armor‘ looks or even spaceship-style elements. Clear, geometric shapes and strict symmetry meet shiny steel effects that evoke memories of molten metal, crystals and stalagmites. Organic three-dimensionality also features in the designs, which are reminiscent of retro-futurism. Sharp black and white contrasts and color blocking create excitement. In jewelry, the materials range from silver, glass and porcelain to crystals. The shapes are spherical, organic, wavy, sharp-edged and large.

The colors of the COSMIC WhiteSnow theme are inspired by the description of Snow White in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. The range includes white, silver, pale gray, steel, graphite and black. Gray blue, sky blue and royal blue complete the range. Old gold sets shiny accents alongside cool metallic tones, while nude conveys softness.

Established and young designers from the IVAN ASEN 22 team take part in the event: fashion designers Georgi Florov, Rosica Mršić, Anelia Antova, Dilyana Cholakova, Inna Gabrovska, Polina Sotirova, Slavina Petrova, Milena Nacheva, Yuliana Yanakova, Militsa Milanova, Eli Nenkovska, Kristina Ljubenova, Edzhe Dervish, Nicole Hagedorn, Radostina Klinkova, labels YOD by Yana Dvoretska, Dinka Kasabova-DK, Dilyana Ivanova-YEDA nelmit, Evgeni Petkov-EUGENIO, OFF Limits, MPoint, Vintage Sofia.
 Jewelry for the theme is created by Kalina Chankova, Boryana Dankova, Velislava Bozhinova, Katya Lazarova, KENNA Jewelry and KIA FIL.


Theodora Penkova (NHA), Danail Kapchin (NBU), Reni Hadjieva (AMTII) and Theodora Nikolova (jewellery, NBU) won the competition for talented ’new names‘ of the COSMIC SnowWhite theme.

The IVAN ASEN 22 Foundation is supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation in organizing the ‚COSMIC SnowWhite‘ event. The America for Bulgaria Foundation is an independent, non-governmental and non-political American charitable foundation that works in partnership with Bulgarian organizations to strengthen the private sector and democratic institutions in the country. The Foundation is the result of the success of the Bulgarian-American Investment Fund (BAIF), which was established in 1991 by the U.S. Congress with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development. For more information visit www.us4bg.org.

On Saturdays and Sundays as well as on December 16 and 17, 2023, the doors are open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the week, visits are possible by appointment by phone 0035/ 9888399506, e-mail (nelmit@yahoo.de) or messages via facebook.

You are welcome!

photos: Elena Spasova
model Alexandra Miteva (VISAGES Model Group)
makeup: Hrisi Teova
hair: Stanimir Barutchiev-Miro (Kevin.Murphy)
styling & set design: Anelia Antova
graphic design: Georgi Florov
interior design: Diliana Ivanova