“I met Branko a long time ago in Rijeka, at a time when new creative impulses and a powerful aesthetic revolution were emerging on our scene. He was among the first to participate in Fashion News shows, and even then it was clear that he did not accept mediocrity,” says Katja Restović.
“I will always remember his original collections, especially the one for dogs – how much passion, playfulness, and personality he poured into that project. It wasn’t just fashion; it was a well-conceived idea and a clear authorial statement. Branko never works superficially – he researches, thinks conceptually, and only then shapes the final result,” Restović emphasizes.
Dr. Branko Metzger-Šober, Professor, is an art historian whose scholarly work focuses on modern art, cultural-institutional practices, and urban cultural history. He earned his PhD in Art History from the University of Zadar and is the author of numerous academic and professional papers published in relevant national and international journals. His research is grounded in an interdisciplinary approach, archival analysis, and contextual interpretation of artistic phenomena.
He graduated in Graphic Arts and Art Education in Rijeka and completed his postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb, specializing in architectural heritage. Throughout his career, he has consistently bridged theory and practice—combining academic research, curatorial concepts, exhibition narratives, and collaborations with numerous cultural institutions. His fields of interest include modern and contemporary art, architecture, institutional history, and industrial heritage, particularly within the Rijeka and Istrian regions.
“I have attended several exhibitions he curated, and I was impressed by his sense of spatial dramaturgy and interpretative clarity,” continues Katja Restović. “The way he structures an exhibition narrative and establishes dialogue between historical context and contemporary readings of the works demonstrates depth and integrity. He does not observe the surface – he reads structure and meaning. Under his guidance, space becomes a coherent and meaningful whole.”
Recently, we have also collaborated within Istria Casting, in our Fashion Department, where his refined aesthetic sensibility and ability to precisely shape visual identity are equally evident.
“I am grateful that we met back then in Rijeka. Some collaborations grow into friendships, and some friendships grow into deep connections – that rare kind of closeness that happens only a few times in a lifetime,” concludes Restović.
