Breaking into the design industry is no easy task. For emerging creatives, talent is only one part of the journey; being seen, recognised, and remembered can be an even greater challenge. In a field where countless new ideas emerge every day, visibility becomes one of the most valuable assets a young designer can have.
To spotlight the next generation of creative talent, we spoke with emerging fashion and graphic designers about their work, inspirations, and ambitions. Each brings a distinct perspective to contemporary design, proving that the future of the industry will be shaped by originality, experimentation, and the courage to challenge convention.
Experimental knitwear graduate collection, designed by Sóley Dögg Rúnarsdóttir. Photography and post production: Riccardo Matterazzo; Styling and art direction: Gea Henningsen; Hair and makeup: Nicolo Borromini; Models: Aníta Ósk and Ásdís Arthúrsdóttir
Sóley Dögg Rúnarsdóttir | Reimagining Nature Through Knitwear
For Icelandic fashion and knitwear designer Sóley Dögg Rúnarsdóttir, creativity has always been part of her story, even before she had the words to define it.
Now a graduate of NABA Milan, Sóley has developed a womenswear collection centred around fabric manipulation, knitwear, and the relationship between nature and material. Drawing from her Icelandic heritage, she recreates the textures of volcanic rock, moss, and natural terrain through experimental knitwear and fabric manipulation.
Her creative process begins with research and experimentation. Sóley explores textures first, creating samples and allowing the materials to guide the final design.
The graduation collection was selected among NABA's Top 30 and later featured by Vogue Italia, marking a major milestone in her journey. Yet for Sóley, success is rooted in staying true to her vision. "Getting a lot of 'no's' is part of it," she says. "It's important not to let it break your confidence."
Campaign image for David Manev's independent brand, Fanculo Zero Budget, combining bold typography, conceptual storytelling, and contemporary graphic design. Photo: Darko Mitev (@darko_ar)
David Manev | Building Creative Worlds Beyond Design
Communication designer David Manev approaches design as a system rather than an aesthetic. Based in Milan, David recently graduated in Communication Design from IED and is the founder of Fanculo Zero Budget, a creative studio and lifestyle brand working across branding, graphic design, art direction, and creative strategy between Milan and Skopje.
Instead of searching for inspiration in design trends, David studies everyday details: a badly printed menu, stickers layered on a wall, or the way light enters a room. "Everything visible is the result of a choice someone made," he says. His philosophy is built around intention, believing that successful design should communicate a genuine point of view rather than simply look good.
Among all his projects, David considers Fanculo Zero Budget his most meaningful achievement. More than just a studio or brand, it represents a growing creative ecosystem shaped by collaborations, products, and the people involved.
Looking ahead, David plans to expand Fanculo Zero Budget beyond clothing, continue working with clients, and develop collaborations with other artists and designers. His advice for emerging creatives is straightforward: start before everything feels perfect.
“There is no ready,” he says. “It’s something you only recognise in hindsight.”
Garden of Eve, knitwear design by Ana Stoleru, demonstrating experimental textile techniques and contemporary slow fashion craftsmanship. Fashion designer: Ana Stoleru; Photography and post production: Ana Stoleru; Styling and art direction: Ana Stoleru; Hair and makeup: Ana Stoleru; Models: Andreea Leonte; Photography: Darko Mitev.
Ana Stoleru | Building a Creative Universe Through Slow Fashion
Romanian fashion designer Ana Stoleru is building more than a clothing label. Through her emerging brand, Creating Eve, she is creating what she describes as an evolving creative universe centered around slow fashion, thoughtful craftsmanship, and personal identity, where "Eve" is the symbolic muse inspired both by the biblical first woman and by the idea of the eve of something new. For Ana, the name represents possibility, transformation, and constant evolution.
"My biggest goal in my design practice is to make some sort of shift, to really make something new," she explains. "I'm intrigued by radical acts, and that's what I'm working towards."
Nature plays a significant role in her creative language. Her graduate collection, Garden of Eve, drew inspiration from flower silhouettes, cloud formations, natural colour palettes, and organic textures. At the same time, her work balances this softness with the energy of contemporary street style, particularly the urban environments she observes while visiting London.
Sustainability is equally central to her practice. Ana approaches fashion through intentional material choices and low-waste pattern cutting, allowing the available fabric to influence the final design.
Rather than following seasonal trends, Ana focuses on timeless capsule pieces released in limited drops. "My biggest goal is to really make something new," she explains. For her, fashion is about helping women feel "comfortable, cool, modern and free" while encouraging them to embrace their own style.
The transition from graduation to the professional world is where many creative careers truly begin. These designers are still at the start of that journey, yet their work already demonstrates the curiosity, craftsmanship, and distinct creative vision that define lasting design. In an industry where visibility can be as valuable as talent, these emerging voices are proving that originality still has the power to stand out. If today's young designers are shaping tomorrow's creative landscape, these are names you'll want to know before everyone else does.
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On the cover: Campaign image for David Manev's independent brand, Fanculo Zero Budget. Photo: Darko Mitev (@darko_ar)