The International Fashion Festival 2026 officially opens on 24 July in Dom Vojske, Tivat, bringing together some of the most exciting names in contemporary and haute couture fashion. Taking place on 24 and 25 July, this year's edition features Liwen Liang, Victor Weinsanto, and acclaimed Italian couturier Antonio Grimaldi.
These exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs offer a first glimpse into preparations for the opening evening, featuring the teams of Liwen Liang and Victor Weinsanto ahead of their runway presentations on 24 July.
As the official media partner, FAB will be bringing you exclusive backstage access, runway highlights, interviews, and comprehensive coverage throughout the festival.
LIWEN LIANG
Liwen Liang is a ceramic artist and fashion designer based in London, originally from Jingdezhen, the world-renowned porcelain capital of China, a city with a thousand-year tradition of ceramic production. He grew up in a family that has preserved the craft of ceramics for generations. His grandfather worked as a kiln operator at the National Porcelain Factory as early as the 1950s, while other members of the family also continued careers in ceramics.
His childhood, spent in the family workshop, profoundly shaped his artistic vision. Mud, the scent of clay, fragments of broken porcelain, and the everyday lives of ceramic artisans became the primary sources of inspiration for his work. After completing his Master's degree in Womenswear Fashion Design at the London College of Fashion in 2023, Liang began exploring ways to present the rich cultural heritage of his hometown through a contemporary fashion language with international appeal.
His most significant contribution to contemporary fashion is the development of an innovative ceramic textile that combines the traditional Chinese craft of porcelain-making with modern garment design. Following several years of research and experimentation with the ancient technique of so-called "thin porcelain," he succeeded in creating ultra-thin porcelain sheets measuring approximately 0.3–0.4 millimetres in thickness and integrating them into fabric. The result is a unique material that retains the distinctive qualities of ceramics while offering remarkable flexibility and wearability.
All of Liang's ceramic textiles are created in collaboration with his family in Jingdezhen. The production process involves extensive research into the relationship between clay, adhesives, and firing temperatures, as well as repeated testing of colours and glazes. Every piece undergoes a complex process of printing, firing, and meticulous hand-finishing, becoming a fusion of craftsmanship, family tradition, and contemporary innovation.
Liang frequently incorporates recycled denim, second-hand garments, discarded industrial materials, and ceramic fragments sourced from workshops into his work. Inspired by the workwear of ceramic artisans and the aesthetics of deconstruction, he reinterprets traditional materials and motifs through a sustainable approach, creating a contemporary visual language that bridges craftsmanship and fashion. Denim jeans hold a particularly significant place within his collections, reflecting one of the most recognisable garments worn in the everyday lives of ceramic workers.
His work celebrates imperfection, fragility, and authenticity, transforming these qualities into symbols of strength and resilience. By merging fashion and ceramics, Liang seeks to draw attention to the lives and work of ceramic artisans, their cultural heritage, and their dedication to the craft. His creations are not simply garments but wearable works of art that unite history, tradition, emotion, and contemporary design.
It is rare for a designer at the very beginning of their professional journey to achieve the level of international recognition that Liwen Liang has already attained. His work has been featured in hundreds of publications across some of the world's most influential fashion magazines, including Vogue, WWD, Grazia, L'Officiel, and Harper's Bazaar, positioning him among the most outstanding young designers of his generation. Such widespread attention from leading fashion media, alongside recognition from numerous public figures, demonstrates that Liang's work has already moved beyond the boundaries of the emerging fashion scene and secured a significant place within the international industry. His creations are worn by a growing number of prominent young figures from the worlds of art, music, and public life, who are drawn to the distinctive identity of his designs and choose them to express their individuality, sophistication, and authentic personal style.
The defining strength of Liang's work lies in his unique synthesis of fashion and ceramics, through which he has successfully pushed the boundaries of contemporary fashion design and introduced one of the industry's most original innovations in recent years. It is precisely this ability to transform a traditional craft into a contemporary fashion expression that has led his work to be increasingly recognised as one of the most significant innovations in modern fashion. In this context, Sara Sozzani Maino immediately recognised his exceptional potential and identified him not only as one of the most promising designers of the new generation but also as its most authentic representative of innovative fashion.
Although still at the beginning of his career, Liang has already achieved remarkable professional success, with further growth and a lasting influence on contemporary fashion widely anticipated. Thanks to his unique creative vision, technical innovation, and deep connection to the cultural heritage from which he originates, he is regarded as one of the most promising new names on the international fashion scene. His work represents a rare fusion of tradition, sustainability, contemporary art, and haute fashion, opening a new chapter in the interpretation of artisanal heritage through fashion.
About the International Fashion Festival
The International Fashion Festival (IFF) Porto Montenegro is Montenegro's leading international fashion event, dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. Every summer in Porto Montenegro, IFF brings together internationally acclaimed designers, emerging talents, industry professionals, and fashion enthusiasts, the festival positions Montenegro as an important meeting point for contemporary fashion in the region.
📍 24 - 25 July 2026
Dom Vojske, Tivat, Montenegro
For the full programme and updates, visit:
www.iffportomontenegro.com
Follow IFF on Instagram:
@iffportomontenegro
