Design from Łódź conquers Expo 2025 – unique uniforms of Poland Pavilion staff

Forty-five designs were submitted for the competition to create uniforms for Poland Pavilion staff, all by students of the Łódź Academy of Fine Arts. The top-rated design was by Karolina Augustowska, a fifth-year student at the Institute of Fashion at the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź. 

According to the guidelines, the uniforms had to feature original designs referencing Polish and Japanese traditions, as well as be functional. The final design combines both qualities and was created in two versions for women and men — everyday and formal, complete with accessories.

„This is a very extensive project. Our goal was to select materials that would, on one hand, reflect the designer’s vision, and on the other — be suitable for everyday wear. For women, we prepared long trousers and long skirts, as well as two types of blouses. Men, in turn, will receive two pairs of long, wide-leg trousers in a trendy cut, paired with an elegant blazer, which can be swapped for a short jacket or a lightweight, waterproof coat with a detachable hood,” said Anna Krysa, Chief Operating Officer of NEW MEN GROUP.

As the winning designer Karolina Augustowska explains, her project was inspired by Bolesławiec ceramics — a reference clearly visible in the outfit’s detailing — as well as by Józef Chełmoński’s painting Indian Summer (Babie Lato). The design also draws from traditional Japanese clothing, particularly the kimono. As a young student, she focused her research and creative process on the younger generation, seeking compelling connections with everyday Japanese fashion while also identifying common threads with the style of young Poles.

„I see many similarities and shared values between Poland and Japan, such as diligence, perseverance, and attention to detail. It’s worth noting that for many Poles, quality and aesthetics are extremely important — which aligns closely with the Japanese approach,” says Karolina Augustowska.

Once again, Łódź has proven itself to be the capital of Polish design — a city with a long and rich textile tradition and home to numerous institutions that educate young fashion designers. During Expo 2020 in Dubai, the uniforms worn by Poland Pavilion staff were also created by a designer from Łódź — a student of the Technical University.

“This city hosts many cultural events, including those related to Japanese art — both traditional and contemporary. We wanted to showcase that to the world, and this time we partnered with the Władysław Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts,” said Marta Zielińska, Deputy Commissioner General of the Polish Section Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

The Polish clothing and textile market is one of the most attractive in Central and Eastern Europe. According to data from PMR Market Experts, the value of the Polish apparel and footwear market — including underwear and accessories — reached over 16 billion USD in 2024.

Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is staffed by a team of students from Polish universities who are fluent in Japanese and other foreign languages. These students represent Poland and support the day-to-day operations of the pavilion as part of a six-month internship program.