YBAF Fashion Award 2021

In the spring of 2021, when the world still bore the heavy cloak of uncertainty, YBAF set out to weave a different kind of fabric — one stitched with hope, innovation, and fiery Armenian creativity.
Thus was born the YBAF Fashion Award, our first bold step into the world of fashion.

The call was simple but daring:
"Are you a young and fearless fashion designer from Armenia? Then come forward — the stage is yours."
And Armenia answered. Loudly. Brightly. Beautifully.

YBAF’s goal was to encourage young Armenian designers to turn hardship into beauty, to conquer difficulty through the raw power of imagination, and to breathe fresh life into the art of clothing.
Our jury, composed of five industry titans — Gohar Harutyunyan, Aram Nikolyan, Anna Grigoryan, Lilit Avetyan, and Armen Galyan — set out to select five finalists.

But fate had other plans: the talent pool was too deep, the creativity too overwhelming. Instead of five, we selected ten finalists. Why set limits when art knows none?

The ten finalists were:

Narineh Melikyan

With a background in textile design, Narineh Melikyan is a master at weaving the stories of traditional Armenian craftsmanship into contemporary fashion. Her creations speak of texture, comfort, and vibrancy, often inspired by the rich colors and patterns found in Armenian folk art. Narineh’s designs invite you into a world where luxury meets cultural heritage, where every thread tells a tale. Her work is a celebration of Armenian beauty, transformed into modern-day wearable art.

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Shushan Samveli

Shushan Samveli is an artist and fashion designer based in Yerevan. A graduate of the Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts (YAFA), Shushan made her first collection while studying at the Academy in 2014. Inspired by the power of joy and the abstract energy of the psyche, her designs are a celebration of individuality and self-expression.

Her capsule collection, "OH REALLY" Spring/Summer 2021, is infused with vibrant, psycho-abstract prints. These pieces are created for those who are brave enough to embrace their true selves and live in the present moment. Shushan’s creations are designed to stand out, making them perfect for festivals and celebrations of personal freedom and creativity.

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Ani Chopuryan

Ani Chopuryan is a Yerevan-based fashion designer known for her refined minimalism and poetic approach to form. A graduate of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, Ani explores the tension between structure and fluidity in her work, often incorporating subtle references to Armenian culture and heritage.

Her collections focus on timeless silhouettes, tactile fabrics, and emotional clarity. Each piece reflects a quiet confidence — a balance between contemporary sensibility and deep personal expression.

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Leila Hakobyan

Leila Hakobyan is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Yerevan, blending fashion, sculpture, and performance into bold visual statements. Her work is driven by deep philosophical narratives, often challenging conventional ideas of beauty, femininity, and transformation.

Her collections are less about trends and more about storytelling — each garment becomes a wearable metaphor. Leila’s design language is instinctive, raw, and experimental, often pushing the boundaries of material and form to create something viscerally human.

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Sima Janibekyan

Sim Jani is a visionary designer known for her avant-garde approach to fashion. With a deep love for experimental textiles and innovative techniques, Sim’s designs push the boundaries of conventional fashion. Her creations are a bold statement of individuality and self-expression, often blending futuristic elements with traditional aesthetics. Passionate about sustainability, Sim incorporates eco-friendly materials into her collections, striving to create fashion that not only looks ahead but is also conscious of the planet. Each of her pieces is a unique reflection of her desire to break free from fashion norms and create something truly original.

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Arina Ghukasyan

Inspired by the myth of Icarus, Arina Ghukasyan reimagines the ancient tale through bold fashion forms. Her collection incorporates wing-like collars and patchworked leather trousers that evoke the fragility and daring of Icarus’s flight. The message is clear: “Don’t fly too close to the sun”—a cautionary tale stitched into each seam. Arina transforms legend into wearable philosophy.

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Damian

A film photographer with a Ph.D. in Radiophysics, Damian is the founder of the unisex brand Damink. Built on the intersection of analog photography, fashion, and art, Damink turns Damian’s original film photos into bold, wearable expressions. With vibrant colors and strong details, each piece celebrates freedom, individuality, and the courage to stand out. The brand has previously appeared in fashion shows across Armenia, as well as Milan and London Fashion Weeks. Damian’s latest collection invites wearers to embody their imagination and wear their story with pride.

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Lilit Dallakyan

An artist and fashion designer, Lilit Dallakyan draws inspiration from the Eastern concept of Yin and Yang. Her collection reinterprets this ancient symbol not only through its signature black-and-white palette but also through its core philosophy of duality and harmony. Drawing from elements of Eastern military and cultural dress, each of the six looks in the collection expresses a distinct balance — a quiet tension between strength and softness, light and shadow.

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Lusine Simonian

Lusine’s collection draws deep inspiration from the visionary works of Sergey Parajanov, particularly the sketches, letters, and collages he created while imprisoned. Fish motifs and handwritten notes—lifted directly from Parajanov’s prison-era art—find new life in Lusine’s pieces, paying homage to his surreal and poetic world.
A graduate of ASPU’s Fashion Design program (2017–2021), Lusine first studied at School No. 95 after Alishan. Her collection blends reverence with rebellion, weaving together personal interpretation and historical reference into garments that speak both of the past and of bold artistic freedom.

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Anahit Galatea

Winner of the YBAF Fashion Award 2021.
Anahit Galatea’s work is where raw youth meets thoughtful style. Her collection is a celebration of free expression, bold forms, and pure imagination. In her hands, fabric becomes a manifesto of strength, beauty, and innovation.

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Each of these young visionaries presented their collections during the live fashion show at Latitude Art Space on June 5, 2021 — a night embroidered with dreams, ambition, and applause.

- Inspiring talks were delivered by industry icons Maral Kalinian (former VP of Yeezy Footwear), Armine Voskerchyan, and Armine Iskanyan, who lit the fire of ambition in our young designers with stories from the front lines of the fashion world.

- The event was graciously hosted by Arman Margaryan, who carried the evening with style and soul.

Highlights of the evening:

Anahit Galatea was crowned the winner of the YBAF Fashion Award, receiving:

1 million AMD grant for future projects
A personal art studio for one year
An internship at Aram Nikolyan Fashion Studio
A chance to design for Miss Armenia’s Gala Evening
Continued support from YBAF

Meet Anahit Galatea: The New Queen of Armenian High Fashion by Sputnik Armenia

Asymmetrical lines, "amorphous cut", an abundance of latex and leather - all this can be found in the new collection of the most talked about Armenian designer of this month.

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