NICOLAS DUDEK

Nicolas Dudek founded his eponymous label in Vienna in 2022. The young designer taught himself to sew — from scratch, with curiosity, discipline and a clear vision of his own. He made his debut at Vienna Fashion Week in that very first year; this year, the 19-year-old returns for the fifth consecutive time — once again the youngest designer in the entire line-up. A small anniversary: five years of Nicolas Dudek at Vienna Fashion Week.

The Polish-born designer made his name with his poetic creations: dramatic tulle gowns with sweeping trains, crafted from sustainable deadstock and staged with a keen sense of theatre and impact. Prized for its transparency and its ability to create volume without weight, tulle has become Dudek’s recurring signature. His shows are defined by diversity, emotion and a flair for the grand gesture. His rise hasn’t gone unnoticed: in 2025, Vogue Germany named Nicolas Dudek among its “25 Austrian fashion labels to watch.” This year brought his online breakthrough — with a reach in the millions across social media, he’s now among the country’s most talked-about young fashion voices.

With his new collection, “Les 101 Dalmatiens,” Nicolas Dudek returns to a childhood classic — this time with a wink. Inspired by the famous tale of 101 spotted puppies and their glamorous nemesis, the collection tells a story of innocence and seduction: on one side, fluffy white silhouettes whose hand-placed black spots translate the Dalmatians’ coat into tulle; on the other, the world of Cruella de Vil — dramatic gowns in vivid red and deep black, opulent capes and sculptural ruffles.

“Five years of Vienna Fashion Week — it feels like a fairy tale, so I’m telling one. 101 Dalmatians is a story about what fashion gives us at its best: character. No two spots land in the same place, no two coats are alike — just like my looks. With this collection, I got to tell both sides of the story: the innocence of the puppies and the glamour of the villain — uncompromising, dramatic, unforgettable.”