Introduction

You can draw many similarities between Hungary and Hong Kong, both are the place where east meets west. Hungary occupies a unique place in Central Europe — a crossroads of traditions, cultures, and artistic practices. While often perceived as belonging to the "East" in regional discourses, Hungary's cultural identity is deeply interwoven with Western and Central European modernism. This profile explores Hungary's connection to the Silk Road, highlighting the "I'm Wearing White" collection by designer Eszter Kain, which bridges Hungarian traditions with broader cultural narratives that resonate along the ancient trade routes.

Historical Context

Hungary stands as a historical junction where east meets west, much like Hong Kong in Asia. Its geographical position has made it a natural meeting point for diverse cultural influences throughout history. Rural traditions and folk heritage remain living sources of inspiration in Hungary — not as relics, but as continually evolving practices that reflect the country's role as a cultural crossroads. Traditional customs surrounding life's transitions—from birth rituals to mourning practices—reveal Hungary's distinctive cultural character while showcasing parallels with other Silk Road societies.

Chinese-Hungarian Cultural Exchange

White as a color of mourning in China and as a marker of transitional states in Central Europe illustrates how different traditions resonate through a common symbol. While in European tradition white symbolizes purity and life's transitions, in Chinese culture it is often associated with mourning and remembrance. These parallel symbolic systems demonstrate how shared visual languages create cross-cultural bridges through textile and storytelling. Within the Belt and Road framework, such shared symbolic elements open opportunities for meaningful exchange between Eastern and Central European traditions.

Modern cultural exchanges between Hungary and China build upon these historical connections. The Belt and Road Initiative encourage cultural connectivity, creating new platforms for Hungarian designers to engage with Asian cultural perspectives. These contemporary exchanges draw upon ancient symbolic languages while creating innovative expressions of shared human experiences.

The Collection: Silk Road Elements and Chinese Influence

“I’m Wearing White" is Eszter Kain's 2025 diploma collection exploring the symbolism of white across a woman's life journey. Drawing on her Slovak-Hungarian heritage, the collection presents six distinct looks representing different life stages—from birth to death. The use of white in rituals—whether in baptism, marriage, or death—demonstrates its importance as a cultural constant in Hungary and beyond. Within the Belt and Road framework, such shared symbolic elements open opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, resonating with Chinese traditions of white as a color of remembrance and spiritual transition.

Each look incorporates elements that echo across the Silk Road cultural sphere: Babulka (birth and baptism), Cucorka (childhood innocence), Mila (young womanhood), Ruca (middle-aged wisdom), Most (elderly widowhood), and Duša Moja (the soul's journey). These carefully crafted knitted textiles speak to shared human experiences while honoring specific cultural traditions.

Design Philosophy

Through textiles, handcraft, and narrative, "I'm Wearing White" illustrates how deeply personal cultural stories can become universally meaningful across the Belt and Road regions.

This collection demonstrates fashion's potential as a cultural ambassador, highlighting shared human experiences of birth, growth, loss, and transcendence. It contributes to mutual understanding by finding common threads in diverse cultural expressions, embodying the spirit of cultural connectivity that defines both the historical Silk Road and its contemporary reimagining through the Belt and Road Initiative.