THE DESIGNER
Dóri Tomcsányi brings a distinctive perspective to the fashion realm, influenced by her family's rich history. She was raised in the intersection of a noble Hungarian heritage and a socialist working-class background, and the dual identity of her upbringing is mirrored in the collections of her eponymous brand, TOMCSANYI.
Her inherent fascination with patterns and textiles naturally led her to a career as a fashion designer. Childhood memories from post-socialist Hungary serve as an enduring wellspring of inspiration for her collections. Actively seeking traces of midcentury minimalism in design elements, furniture, and textiles, she now embarks on exploring ways to infuse national identity into contemporary fashion starting in 2023.
Currently, she manages her independent fashion label with a dedicated team, including pattern designer Viola Balázs, a head-of-production, and a team of skilled seamstresses. In addition to her role in the fashion industry, Dóri imparts her knowledge by teaching fashion design at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, complemented by her pursuit of postgraduate studies.
THE BRAND
TOMCSANYI is a Budapest-based slow-fashion womenswear brand with on-demand manufacturing.
Born from a diploma project and discovered by Susie Bubble in 2012, the brand represents a playful experiment with colors and prints. In the world of TOMCSANYI, nothing is taken for granted - the unusual beauties of life are reimagined through vibrant patterns.
Throughout its first decade, TOMCSANYI drew inspiration from local impressions and everyday life during the socialist era, delving into the essence of Hungarian identity. The collections brought forth the influences of art, architecture, and even the intriguing yet often unappealing products of 1970s industrial design. These elements came to life on the brand's distinctive, colorful prints, resulting in an unconventional and intellectually stimulating appeal.
However, as of 2023, TOMCSANYI’s creative direction has shifted, moving beyond the broader context of post-socialist Eastern Europe to a more focused exploration of Hungarian identity. This newfound inspiration is expressed through the incorporation of national, folkish patterns, as well as symbolic elements, within their collections. Each collection serves as an experiment, seeking to explore the possibilities of translating Hungarian national identity and rich heritage into the realm of modern fashion and clothing.
The sometimes overwhelmingly colorful world of the patterns is delicately counterbalanced by a classical approach to tailoring, clean cuts, and functionalist silhouettes that make the collections modern yet timeless.
THE COLLECTION
Building on the foundations of their previous collection, TOMCSANYI delves even deeper into the essence of national identity and cultural heritage, finding innovative ways to incorporate these elements into contemporary fashion.
This season, they draw inspiration from the iconic Alföld region and the legendary ‘csikós’ horsemen, embedding the rich history and vibrant traditions of the Hungarian Great Plain into their designs.
In their collection, they reimagine the traditional attire and equipment of the ‘csikós’, including the distinctive wide-brimmed hats, loose shirts and pants, known as ‘gatya-viselet’, and the iconic ‘karikás ostor’ whip. These elements come to life in unique prints that celebrate the pastoral beauty and cultural heritage of the Alföld.
The vibrant patterns and motifs honor Hungarian craftsmanship by integrating national symbols into versatile silhouettes. Each piece tells a story of Hungary's past while embracing modern fashion.
The collection, as always, is made from natural materials such as organic cotton poplin, viscose, and lyocell. The silhouettes, as expected from the brand, prioritize comfort with a classical approach to tailoring, featuring clean cuts and functional designs that make the collections both modern and timeless.
Each garment in the Spring/Summer 2025 collection reflects their dedication to celebrating Hungarian culture through innovative design.