Staff attire for the Poland Pavilion

As many as 40 students of the Academy took part in the competition, but there could only be one winner. The judges rewarded Karolina Augustowska’s work with the highest score.

At a meeting in the inspiring and atmospheric weaving room, where students develop their creative skills on a daily basis, the winners were congratulated by Deputy Commissioner General Eliza Klonowska-Siwak, and Deputy Director of the Expo Department at PAIH – Marta Zielińska.

Karolina shared a behind-the-scenes look at the Competition and talked about the creative process involved in this unusual task.

What was your initial reaction when you heard about the competition? Did you believe this task was for you?

Initially, when I heard about the competition, I was attracted by the fact that Expo 2025 would be held in Osaka, Japan. Japan itself has always been a great interest of mine because of its rich culture, modern technology and innovative fashion trends. On top of that, I wanted to prove myself in designing formal attire with detailed guidelines. I found combining the two cultures – Polish and Japanese – particularly exciting, and I thought it was an interesting challenge. For this reason, I decided that this was the perfect task for me.

The design of the costumes had to take into account specific guidelines – aesthetic and functional. What was the biggest challenge for you? 

The biggest challenge was to consider various guidelines, such as adapting the attire to the climate in Japan at the time of year and combining the two cultures in a coherent and complementary way. However, I found the research to be very enjoyable and valuable. It was an extremely inspiring experience that allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of both Polish and Japanese traditions and aesthetics.

Where did you draw inspiration from when creating this design? And where do you get your inspiration from on a daily basis?

During the creation of the design, I drew inspiration from my personal interests, as well as the research I had carried out to highlight the most beautiful features of Polish and Japanese culture. On a daily basis, I try to actively follow trends in fashion and beyond, which is made possible by books, magazines, social media platforms and fellow designers. Nature is an important source of inspiration for me as well. I believe that inspiration can be found in everything, it often comes to us unexpectedly, so it is worth observing what is around us.

Did the students consult each other during the design work? Did you show your design to your fellow students before submitting it?

It is rather rare to consult with other students while working on designs. In my case, I often show my work to my closest friends, rather those outside of the university, and family. This provides me with a variety of feedback and valuable comments that help me refine my design before submission.

What was your reaction when you heard that you had won the competition?

It took me by surprise and I was shocked, but of course I was very pleased with this news.

What further plans do you have for your design career? 

I am currently in my fifth year of university and will soon be defending my MA thesis. That’s why my attention is strongly focused on my own designs, but at the same time I’m gaining experience as a designer of fabric patterns, and through this work I can learn how other big brands operate. I certainly would love to stay in the fashion industry, gaining experience as a designer and doing commissions for different companies. In the future, I dream of creating and establishing my own brand.

Do you think Poland is a country where you can develop your career? What does it have to offer to young people?

I think Poland is a country where you can develop your career, especially for young people. The online world is evolving very quickly, opening up huge opportunities wherever you are. All it takes is time, our willingness, sincere interest and patience to achieve the desired goal.

Personally, I come from Łódź, a city with a rich textile history, which creates additional opportunities for me. I draw on the heritage of the textile industry – here, I can experience the talent of true master craftsmen and tailors. I believe that Poland has a lot to offer to young people who want to develop in various fields, including the fashion industry.

Can the Polish fashion industry, including Polish brands, be attractive to Japanese consumers and investors?

Yes, I believe the Polish fashion industry, including Polish brands, can be very attractive to Japanese consumers and investors. I see many similarities and commonalities in both cultures, such as conscientiousness, perseverance and attention to detail. Note that for many Poles, quality and aesthetics are extremely important, which coincides with the Japanese approach. This opens up extensive opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. In addition, the cultural interest and recent fascination with Japan in Poland may also contribute to the success of Polish brands in the Japanese market.

What is the “gene of creativity” that is written in the DNA of Poles for you?

For me, the “gene of creativity” is the extraordinary capacity for imagination, innovation and a creative approach to life and work. It is the ability to think outside the box, the search for new solutions and experimenting with different ideas. This “gene of creativity” can also be linked to our rich cultural heritage, history and the diversity of our country. It is something that I see as part of our national identity, something that drives us to constantly seek new paths and inspiration in different areas of life.

Congratulations once again to Karolina Augustowska and all the winners. We would like to thank the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź for hosting the Competition and for their creative collaboration.