about use unused
History
USE unused is one of the most successful young fashion design teams in Hungary. The founders of the brand are Eszter Fuzes, Attila Godena-Juhasz and Andras Toth. All three designers graduated from the MOME (University of Art and Design Budapest) in 2004 with a Masters Degree in Womenswear Design and since then they have run USE unused, their own women's wear line.
The trio first worked together in 2003, when preparing their first collection for a Finnish smock festival. In the same year, the opportunity came to spend a semester
at another department of the university and they unanimously chose knitting. The results of the semester were six fashion design pieces that were entered into the prestigious Cumulus Fashion Tour Competition in London. Of the 48 participants from 24 countries, USE won first prize. The competition proved to be a fantastic opportunity for the young designers, with the event full of journalists from leading fashion magazines and as such the trio and their winning designs were featured in British Vogue. For the newly merged design trio to win such a prestigious competition with a collection they had made in their itinerant semester, was not only credible but was evidence of their harmonic creativity and versatility as a team.
Next up for the USE team was to spend their 9th semester studying at the Ecole Duperre University in Paris. During this period, arriving ever closer to their thesis, they made the decision to work together long term and to therefore create their graduate collection together.
From the summer of 2004 USE unused, along with other fashion industry professionals, started working together on publishing a high-end fashion and art magazine that offers opportunity to young talents in the fashion & art worlds by showcasing their works. This publication was named The Room and was the first Hungarian state-of-art fashion and arts magazine to be released. USE today still collaborate on this project and present their clothes and latest collections in every issue.
Today, the USE unused team consists of 5 people: the three designers, their Business Development Manager (Dorka Kaszonyi) and PR Manager (Gergely Labady). In October 2006 their own showroom was opened in the Hungaria Mill Garden, opposite of the National Theatre.
Philosophy
The USE unused philosophy rises from the motivation, attitude and mentality of the three designers, which can be clearly seen in their collections. The designers often go back to the forms and philosophies created by the 1940s, '50s and '60s and try to blend it with the modern. This philosophy of respecting tradition whilst also considering modern style ensures that the collections are extravagant, yet elegant at the same time, and each time they create something new they ensure they preserve their own continual and unique style and mentality.
mission & vision
The USE unused mission & vision is to create a worldwide-known Hungarian fashion label that is successful and still carries the Hungarian flavour rather than a mass-product. The USE team are also looking toadd new lines such as menswear, leather accessories (bags and shoes) and eyewear. Their mission is to have an effect on the Hungarian clothing culture and to guide and help other local young, talented designers along the way.
USE Unused founders, Eszter, Attila and Andras
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Behind the scenes
Read how USE unused came to be, in this Global Hot Shops exclusive interview.
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