An elegant event was held at the Vitosha Park Hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria, to award the Annual Awards for Success and Style "BG Fashion Icon 2024" by the Fashion Academy. The "Art Management" award went to Desislava Zafirova, art director of One Gallery, and the "Business" category went to Diana Miteva, chairman of the Women's Forum Association's management board and a financier. Romina Andonova-Tasevska, top model and host of Nova TV's "Court Dispute" show took home the "Television" prize. Niki Sotirov, an actor, director, and producer, won the "Art" category prize for the second year. Stefan A. Shterev, a TV host, actor and producer, was also given the trophy in the same category.
In the "Media and Journalism" category, two of our most renowned journalists—Svetoslav Ivanov, host of bTV's "120 Minutes" and Marina Tsekova, host of Nova TV's "Wake Up"—were honoured.
Distinguished members of Bulgarian society are eligible for the title of "BG fashion icon" if they meet the standards set out by the Fashion Academy. These include notable accomplishments in one's chosen field, a sterling reputation for integrity and ethics, and an appreciation for cutting-edge fashion.
"The ranking for the most successful and stylish Bulgarians "BG fashion icon" was conceived as a cultural and aesthetic antidote, as a powerful antidote to kitsch and tastelessness, vulgar appearance and the simple, and vulgar public behaviour," Prof. Lyubomir Stoykov, chairman of the Academy of Fashion, said at the beginning of the ceremony. Thanks to the nominations of Bulgarian art and lifestyle journalists, modern icons have become even more prominent over the past 15 years. These individuals serve as role models in many ways, including professionalism, culture, ethics, and more than just fashion. Additionally, she is not apathetic towards the worries of the day or the clashes of the world, just like any other creative form. "No to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, yes to sustainable and ethical fashion!" is therefore added to the overall statement of BG fashion icon 2024, for the simple reason that there can be no "style" that does not promote global understanding, mutual respect, and preservation of natural resources.
Attendees at the review spectacle that preceded the "BG Fashion Icon 2024" Annual Awards ceremony included a slew of A-list designers and fashion houses, including Benmodel's Albena Ivanova-Deyanova, Tanya Ian and Tanya Ian Exclusive, Axel Hardy, Nikolay Bozhilov, Sonya Karpov and Karpov, Polya Kinova and Paloma Fashion, as well as Milena Petrova and Wolf Walley, Lia Kamenova and Reflet, Nikolay Bozhilov, Sonya Karpov and Karpov, Ivet Apostolova and Ivette Bianchi, Polya Kinova and Paloma Fashion, and Nikolay Bozhilov.