METU Creativity Reaches Mexico: Student’s Design Featured in Vogue Mexico’s Summer Edition

The creative spirit of Budapest Metropolitan University (METU) has reached all the way to Mexico! A fashion design by METU master's student Nikoletta Rácz has been featured in the Summer 2025 online edition of Vogue Mexico.

Nikoletta, a student in the MA Fashion and Textile Design program at METU, created her unique conceptual outfit titled “Cold Outside” during the first semester of her master’s studies. The project was developed under the mentorship of costume designer and program leader Dr. habil. Kriszta Remete, DLA, Associate Professor at METU. Students were invited to create visual interpretations inspired by video materials from The Listen Project.

From Sound to Form: The Listen Project

The Listen Project is an interdisciplinary creative workshop where students explore audio and music-based cultures through video content. The aim is to transform auditory impressions into visual concepts—an open-ended experiment in design, where music and form intersect. The project fosters personal design identity through individual interpretation and exploratory freedom.

Nikoletta’s inspiration stemmed from the rhythm of Inuit throat singing and the serene icy landscapes of Baffin Island. Her garment—constructed from translucent textiles, fish bones, and fishing lines—evokes both the silence of nature and the pulse of the song. The piece debuted at the House of Music Hungary, where visitors could also listen to the audio that inspired the designs.

From Budapest to Global Recognition

Following its debut, the piece appeared in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Fashion Street Budapest magazine and was worn by singer Laura Cserpes, who also shared it on her social media. The design eventually gained international attention, being selected as a styling element for an online interview on Vogue Mexico in July 2025.

"Every recognition like this is a huge honor and motivation for me. These are the moments that affirm I’m on the right path and encourage me to keep working with even greater enthusiasm in the world of fashion design," – said Nikoletta Rácz about the publication.

Dr. Kriszta Remete also reflected on the journey:

"As a supervisor, it’s always a joy to see a student who dares to experiment and is willing to take on the solitary, challenging path of creation—the weight of decision-making. Niki put incredible work into this project: she tested numerous ideas and variations. It was fantastic to witness how her early sketches gradually evolved into a complete design. She never settled for ‘good enough’—she kept refining her concept until the very end. It was a pleasure working with her; the process was inspiring, exciting, and full of anticipation."

Where Creativity Knows No Boundaries

This international success showcases the inspiring environment METU provides—where individuality and experimentation are not only encouraged but can also lead to both national and international visibility.

For those seeking similar opportunities, METU is still accepting applications for the 2025 academic year through its supplementary admission process. A list of available programs can be found here: metropolitan.hu/en/kepzesek

Fotokredit:

For @voguemexico

Photography and Creative Direction: Stefan Kokovic @stefankokovic

Model: Gülfidan Calis @guelfidancalis

Styling: Ferenc Anyalai @ferencanyalai_style

Hair: Roman Klammer @roman_klammer

Make-Up: Nil Stranzinger @nil__makeup

Photography Assistant: Marnie Wilkinson @marniesportraits

PR: Valentina Gurova @valentinagurova & Cory Couture Productions @corycoutureproductions