Spooky season may still be weeks away, but Chopova Lowena was already embracing the supernatural. The brand’s trademark sense of community was unmistakable as guests made their way through the winding staircases of Bloomsbury Lanes and into its cavernous bowling alleys, passing a cobweb-covered picket fence before entering the deep red glow of the venue. Fortune-cookie messages greeted guests at the door, including one that jokingly declared: “I went to the Chopova Lowena show and all I got was HAUNTED!”

For the collection, Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena explored the world of Slavic folklore, drawing inspiration from figures including the woodland witch Baba Yaga, house fairy Kikimora and winter goddess Marzanna, alongside monsters and mermaids. Each character inspired a different section of the show. Modular aprons and dresses referenced Polish folk costumes, while laser-cut chiffon sleeves evoked witches. Shaggy patchwork faux fur and deadstock toweling represented the creatures, before a final series of elegant bias-cut skirts and dresses introduced an ethereal fairy-like mood.

The beauty looks amplified the fantasy, with gel tears, metal teeth inspired by Baba Yaga and pearlescent skin created by Kiyoko Odo and Lauren Reynolds. For Chopova, who grew up with Bulgarian parents in the United States, these stories were more than mythology. The superstitions surrounding them were part of everyday life and remain celebrated through festivals today.

Bowling provided the collection’s second major influence. Inspired by Marion Ladewig, the 1950s housewife who became a professional bowler, the designers incorporated mid-century silhouettes such as voluminous circle skirts, dropped waists and exaggerated hairstyles. Bomber jackets were designed with enough freedom through the arms to accommodate a powerful bowling swing.

The casting added another layer of charm, with 60-something twins Joanna and Julia appearing one after the other. But the crowd’s biggest reaction came from the canine stars: a tiny Chihuahua in a neon green puffer jacket and a schnauzer wearing black goggles and a brightly braided leash. When the schnauzer finally jumped across the bowling-lane gutters for a treat, the audience erupted.

That sense of fun and togetherness continued after the show, with guests lingering to admire one another’s vintage-inspired knits and punkish carabiner skirts. While “community” is often used loosely in fashion, Chopova Lowena has genuinely cultivated one. Their shows feel like gatherings of devoted followers, and now that community has a permanent home in the Chopova Lowena Clubhouse, the duo’s first physical store in Bethnal Green.

Opened in August, the Clubhouse features eclectic interiors created by the designers alongside artist and designer David Pringle, including Polish pine cupboards with peephole video screens, Bulgarian tapestries and a sticker-covered “skirt bar” where customers can create custom carabiner skirts from their preferred fabrics and hardware.

The store also reflects the designers’ interest in making the brand more accessible. Inspired by Marc Jacobs stores she visited as a teenager, Chopova wanted customers to find affordable items even if they could not purchase the main collections. As a result, accessible pieces and Clubhouse merchandise were incorporated into the show.

True to Chopova Lowena’s irreverent spirit, the collection brought together folklore, sport, fashion, humor and community, creating a world where there was something for everyone.