A student at Budapest Metropolitan University (METU) has achieved outstanding international success: Bianka Bérces won the “Best International Contestant Award” at the prestigious Runhua Award 2025 international fashion competition (International Fashion Design & Skills Contest), organized by the Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology (China).
The aim of the competition is to promote fashion design education, introduce new trends, and launch young designers onto the international stage.
Photo: Runhua Award 2025/Official press photo
Bianka Bérces entered the competition with her “Kickstitch – From waste to stage” collection, created during her MA studies at METU, under the supervision of Dr. Adél Kovács DLA, associate professor at the METU Department of Fashion and Textiles. The collection presents stage costumes made from recycled shoe uppers, which explore issues of sustainability, intuition, and self-identity. As Bianka put it:
The exciting formal solutions of the shoes inspired me to experiment and to think about these materials in a new context. I started working with this technique during the pandemic, when I felt the need to give used shoes a chance at a new life.”
Photo: Runhua Award 2025/Official press photo
This year’s Runhua Award attracted entries from 14 countries and more than 90 institutions, focusing on the theme of “Integration”: it sought to capture the meeting of East and West, past and future, as reflected in fashion design and art. Bianka’s recognition reflects the fact that METU’s creative and practice-oriented training model is successful not only by Hungarian standards but also by international standards, guided by the values of creative freedom, sustainable thinking, and design mentality.
I believe that a garment can be spectacular and extravagant without compromising responsible dressing. For me, this award is proof that perseverance and staying true to your creative path always pays off in the long run—even if not everyone sees your potential at first,”
said Bianka Bérces.
Singer and model Juli Horányi. Photo: Eszter Semsei
METU is proud to support talents who are making their mark on the international stage. This achievement can be a source of inspiration for both current and future students: the university remains committed to creative industries, international collaboration, and sustainable design.
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Via Press release; Featured photo: Runhua Award 2025/Official press photo
The post Hungarian Student Wins Special Prize at Prestigious Chinese Fashion Competition appeared first on Hungary Today.
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