If you haven’t already fallen down the dreamy rabbit hole of Florentina Leitner, it’s time. The Austrian-born designer has become one of the most exciting young voices shaking up the fashion world — one bedazzled daisy and crystal-studded corset at a time.
After studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp (the same legendary school that produced Dries Van Noten and Martin Margiela), Florentina Leitner launched her own label in 2022. Her aesthetic? Imagine Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette meets a Y2K pop video — pastel-hued, feminine, but with a wink of rebellion. Each collection feels like a trip into a surreal world where fantasy and fashion totally coexist.
Our contributor Milena Baeza goes backstage at Paris Fashion Week, where Florentina unveiled her Spring/Summer 2026 collection, cheekily titled Garage Girlies — and it was pure Gen Z couture. The show took place in a neon-lit warehouse, and everything about it screamed playful power. Think punky miniskirts, holographic butterflies, chunky platform boots, and her signature 3D floral details — but this time reimagined with an edgy, “don’t-mess-with-me” energy.
The collection mixed nostalgia and futurism in the best way possible. There were clear nods to early-2000s icons like Avril Lavigne and Lindsay Lohan, but through Florentina’s unique lens — playful yet polished, maximalist yet wearable. She’s not just reviving Y2K aesthetics; she’s rewriting them with confidence and craftsmanship.
Beyond the surface sparkle, Florentina’s brand is grounded in sustainability and thoughtful design. Her pieces are produced in small batches, often using upcycled or deadstock materials, and crafted in European ateliers that prioritize quality over quantity. That makes every dress, jacket, or top feel like a collectible — a wearable piece of art.
What makes Florentina Leitner so special is how she captures both sides of modern femininity: soft yet strong, sweet yet subversive. She’s proving that fashion can still be fun, imaginative, and emotional — a reminder that dressing up isn’t about perfection, but about play.
So, if you’re ever wondering what to wear when you want to feel like the main character in your own technicolor fairy tale — Florentina’s world might be the perfect place to start.
Photography by Milena Baeza for VEIN MAGAZINE
