A Chopova Lowena Girl is Never Left Hungry:AW26

Growing up in the Balkans, obsessed with Sharpay Evans and Vivienne Westwood, it was only natural that as soon as I first saw Chopova Lowena pieces I became infatuated. Chopova Lowena, founded by Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena, represents a mix of traditional Bulgarian roots with English punk movement aesthetics all merged into one sustainable, eccentric label. Particularly, the Autumn/Winter 26 collection showcased only a couple of days ago brings these eccentricities to the forefront with outfits ranging from and layered in regency inspired clothing as well as golf-esque leisure wear, CL style.

The collection was described by Chopova and Lowena as embodying the idea that “tea time and tee time are always better with friends.” Truly, the collection has united all Chopova Lowena girls around the world to admire the new collection, no crumbs left. 

To paint a picture of AW26, imagine someone walking down the street, gaze straight ahead as their dainty, leather flats with fur tassels tap along the ground. As they walk, their legs flash the duotone, argyle tights beneath a puffball, plaid mini skirt. The ruffles on their blouse bat in the wind but the platter collar sits untouched and in place. You can faintly see the thin, arched CL eyebrows beneath their hair locks and a bright green lipstick to pull it altogether. It is as if Marie Antoinette raided your Bulgarian grandma’s wardrobe and picked it all apart to reassemble, reshape and reimagine the 21st century cool girl. 

For tea time, a Chopova Lowena girl can expect an array of regal skirts, embroidered lace frills, beaded belt designs, i.e. cake is not all a Chopova Lowen girl has to eat up. But wait, if you’re feeling full - there’s another look for you, one slightly less restrictive - a matching set of beautiful, floral detailed red tights and red, scrunched knickers featuring a CL neon green character. Although not exactly a library friendly outfit, I couldn’t imagine anything better than walking around in this set, paired with the outrageously frilly and fitted CL version of a peacoat top. 

As for tee time, we have the ease of a baggy, trouser but true Chopova Lowena, it is constructed of several layers of plaid material and features a bloomer illusion trouser top that means you are never just wearing trousers- you are wearing art. Then, in full golf course style performance, there are baggy argyle jumpers finished with plaid collars or regal pearl chokers.

There is one fact for sure, any friend group spending tea time and tee time in Chopova Lowena is a friend group that will last. Not only is Chopova Lowena, a brand based on sustainability and upcycling but also values the craft of traditional clothing from Bulgaria, which is why they work with female garment workers who know and practice the secrets of this art. So loving or falling in love with Chopova Lowena is not just inevitable, but is a small glimpse of hope that as consumers in this world we are perhaps starting to value slow, craft production and abandon the unsustainable, fast fashion the industry entails. The A/W 26 showcase is a fulfilling meal for any Chopova Lowena girl, whether you have an acquired taste for historic dressing or gen Z punk, but as always we are excited to see what is next to consume.