„When it comes to Fashion Week, I think it´s time to hit a refresh.“- Nanette Lepore; Vienna Fashion Week
unpaid invitation/press tickets
Today was one of those „pinch me“ moments. I was officially invited as vanivanity – and the feeling of saying my name plus „vanivanity“ at the press entrance was pure tingling. A dream slowly taking shape. Step by step. I love it. And as you know me: My husband was there, of course – he’s a part of this blog, whether he likes it or not.
And because it fits: I was also at Vienna Fashion Week last year – I won the VIP tickets back then. This year, I have a direct comparison: from the location to the vibes to the shows.
My look
– elegant, understated, 100% me
I had tons of options at the start (including transparent lace – yes, it’s back), but in the end, what I feel comfortable in always wins:
• LOUNGE: Long, black satin skirt – flows as you walk, catches the light beautifully, looks classy without being loud.
• ZARA: Black long-sleeved bodysuit – clean, figure-hugging, the perfect base.
• NA-KD: Oversized gray blazer – adds structure and a touch of „I mean business.“
• ZARA: Pointed high heels in black crocodile leather look – honestly the most comfortable heels in my closet.
• GUESS: Bag – coincidentally a perfect match for the shoes, a little bit of a treat.
• Jewelry: Understated as always – my Pandora charm bracelet and dangling flower earrings from a small boutique in Italy (vacation find & centerpiece).
Black, gray, texture. No experiments—just confidence and elegance. And honestly: If the foundation is right, your attitude and radiance will carry you through every room at Vienna Fashion Week.
The location
– MQ, but inside
This year it was different: not in front of the MuseumsQuartier, but inside. For what felt like the first time in 10 years. Rather inconspicuous from the outside – instantly fashionable inside. High stucco walls, colorfully lit, the air vibrated, a bit like a „premiere.“ And this modern staircase in the middle of the space – old meets new, perfectly staged. Of course, I took a photo and immediately chose it as the cover. #priorities
Like last year, there was a photo wall (smaller this time – nothing stopped me from posing). In the middle was the Mionetto bar – I got myself a glass of rosé prosecco – and a coffee stand, which my husband found immediately. The lobby was more cramped than in 2024, so it felt a bit cozy while queuing – but as soon as you enter the show hall, you forget all that. It’s showtime at Vienna Fashion Week.
First Row for two
– and he as a surprisingly strict critic
We had front-row seats at both shows at Vienna Fashion Week (yes, it makes you feel special—let’s just say that). My husband dutifully watched everything and then surprised me with comments like: „The shoes are too big for her,“ „She’s sprained,“ „She should walk more casually.“ I love that. A different perspective, clear observations, and we’ll meet up at the Spritzer break anyway.
I say it every year: The aisles often tell as much as the runway. Today: leather, sleek sunglasses, bows – but grown-up, sculptural bags (small, pointed, „I have everything I need and that’s all I need“). And me? I honestly had that Carrie Bradshaw vibe – only with comfortable heels. Vienna Fashion Week mood: on.
Between the bar and the photo wall, there was the energy I love about Vienna Fashion Week: a bit of adrenaline, a bit of perfume mist, a bit of „Viennese kiss-kiss“ – and in between, real moments of reunion.
The Shows
We treated ourselves to two shows: SYLGV and Sabine Karner – two signatures, one evening, a lot of Vienna Fashion Week.
SYLGV
– Support Your Local Girlgang Vienna
SYLGV isn’t „just“ a brand—it’s a collective/format that brings together designers with a connection to Vienna. Behind SYLGV are Birgit Rampula (label AMATEUR) and Katharina Amenitsch (label KAMEN). Both stand for wearable, sophisticated fashion—urban, subtle, and smart. This exact signature was evident today: flowing fabrics meet clean lines; looks that initially strike you as „quiet,“ but reveal more depth with every second.
What I saw & felt:
• Palette: lots of black, gray, off-white; a cool blue here and there. No gimmicks – more mood & material.
• Materials: flowing viscose, matte twills, the occasional crease-resistant wool blend.
• Cuts: oversized blazers, soft, flowing trousers, midi skirts with subtle slits.
• Styling: sleek hair, clean makeup – lets the silhouettes do the talking.
• Sound: could have been turned up a bit (quote from husband: „A little more bass, please.“).
Why it sticks: SYLGV makes fashion that works for everyday life without being boring. It’s this understated coolness that works so well in Vienna – a „I see you“ moment for everyone who wants to wear clothes, not be worn by them. That’s exactly why I love Vienna Fashion Week.
Sabine Karner
– elegant femininity with Viennese understatement
Sabine Karner is a fixture in Vienna: The label has been around since 2001, and the showroom is located in the 1st district. Her style: wearable, feminine, with a clear vision of elegance, not just for the runway but also for formal occasions. This wearability concept has been a constant for years – you can tell that she wants her customers to truly experience the pieces.
What I saw & loved:
• Silhouettes: figure-hugging but never constricting; flowing skirts, precise tailoring in jackets; evening drama without theatrics.
• Details: tailored seams, clean surfaces with finely placed accents (e.g., a concealed slit, a clean drape effect, a sheen that’s more „glow“ than „bling“).
• Moments: And then this final look – a black ball gown. I held my breath for a moment. I really thought: „I’m wearing this to the Vienna Opera Ball.“ The dress had that iconic calm that only good tailoring can achieve. No kitsch, just class.
Why it sticks: Sabine Karner takes Viennese elegance and gives it an update. You feel seen and beautiful without being in disguise. For me, this was the stronger collection today because it lands exactly where I love fashion: between stage and life. That’s exactly why I love Vienna Fashion Week.
Mini-Behind-the-Scenes
(aka: Where Fashion Sweats)
It’s always fascinating how much logistics go into a show like this: seconds in which looks have to click, pins, tape, radio discipline. And then, that effortless walk down the runway, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Today I loved one of those shushing moments: Someone adjusts a hem as they pass, the music starts, and whoosh – magic. Vienna Fashion Week magic, to be precise.
A bit of nerd talk:
Since when has Vienna Fashion Week existed and why at the beginning of September?
In a nutshell: Vienna Fashion Week (MQVFW) has been around since 2009. Since then, it has been a fixture in the calendar every year in late summer/early autumn – traditionally in and around the MuseumsQuartier. The fact that it’s held in early/mid-September is no coincidence: It opens Vienna’s fashion stage again after the summer, connects local and international designers, and for a whole week, the city takes on that „We celebrate fashion“ feeling – with shows, pop-ups, and side events. This is precisely why Vienna Fashion Week has become a must-attend event in September – for the fashion scene, the press, creators, and, of course, fashion fans.
(Side note: For years, the setting was the tent in front of the MQ—today we were inside. For me, both have charm; inside, there’s stucco and light, and that feels very right for 2025. Vienna Fashion Week, but make it palace vibes.)
Wishes for 2026:
Press Corner & “Wall of Fame”
Two things I personally would have liked:
1. Press corner: Maybe there was one and I missed it in my euphoria—totally possible. But I would have liked to exchange ideas: Where did others see their favorite looks? Which newcomers should we check out? A clear meeting point like that (just before/between shows) would be golden—especially at Vienna Fashion Week, where so many creative people come together.
2. Wall of Immortality: A sign wall where everyone can leave their @Instagram or website. Low-tech, high-impact. For networking, for memories, for community. A photo of it at the end of the week? Instant archive of Vienna Fashion Week.
Consider it my tiny love letter for 2026. Because the week is already brilliant—these two add-ons would round it off for me and bring Vienna Fashion Week even closer together.
my summary
– happy, grateful, motivated
I’m very happy. For the invitation, for the front-row moments, for the feeling of saying vanivanity at the press entrance. For SYLGV, who showed me again how powerful quiet fashion can be. And for Sabine Karner, who reminded me why elegance never goes out of style—and that sometimes a black ball gown is all you need to feel like the future.
Favorite moment: The finale at Sabine Karner’s—I actually visualized myself walking up the opera house steps in it.
Favorite photo: The staircase in the Stucksaal—this old-meets-new snapshot is 2025 in one frame for me.
Favorite comment (husband): „A little more bass.“—noted.
And yes: I’ll definitely be back at Vienna Fashion Week next year. ✨
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