About

Since September 2016, Neven Mihic has served as an Instructor, and Assistant Professor in the College of
Design at the American University in the Emirates, Dubai. He began his artistic journey as a dancer with
the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek, performing in numerous operas, musicals and dramas over four
years. After graduating from the School of Textiles, Design and Applied Arts, in Osijek, Neven pursued a
Master’s degree in Costume Design from the Faculty of Textile Technology in Zagreb. Following his
academic achievements, he showcased six significant solo exhibitions of costume and set design. Neven’s
career as a designer spans over twelve years, during which he created costumes and sets for more than
thirty theatre productions. He collaborated with a diverse range of theatres, from major national
institutions to smaller, experimental companies. Among his notable projects are Bizet’s opera Carmen,
Puccini’s La Bohème, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Lehár’s The Merry Widow, Ivo Tijardovic’s The Aquarelle of
Split, Minkus Don Quixote, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Hérold – Hertel La fille mal gardée, Tchaikovsky’s Onegin, and The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen/Davor Bobic. In addition to his theatrical work, Neven led several individual fashion shows and projects, receiving numerous accolades in his field. In the UAE, he created hats and fascinators for Dubai World Cup 2017, 2018 and 2019. His work is concentrated mostly on complex opera and ballet costumes, as well high and experimental fashion. Neven received three nominations for the Croatian Actor Awards 2023 for his contributions to the ballet Onegin (Set and
Costume Design) at the Croatian National Theatre in Split and the operetta The Merry Widow (Set Design)
at the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek. Neven Mihic finally received the Croatian Actor Award 2025 for Best Set Design in the ballet The Snow Queen, together with video designer Zdenko Basic. His future project is operetta Gräfin Mariza by Emmerich Kálmán planned for May 2026. In December 2025, he completed his role as Assistant Professor in Dubai and returned to his home country to dedicate himself exclusively to theatre design. Since 2013, he has been proud member of the Croatian Association of Dramatic Artists.

EDUCATION
2010 – 2012 MA Costume design – University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
2006 – 2009 BA Fashion design – University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
2002 – 2006 High school diploma Fashion design – School of Textiles, Design and Applied Arts, Osijek, Croatia

CURRENT POSITION Freelancer Set & Costume Designer based in Croatia

PREVIOUS POSITION September 2016 – December 2025, American University in the Emirates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates College of Design – Fashion Department – Assistant Professor – Full time position

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – THEATRE
OPERA / OPERETTA
2026 (In progress*)
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Emmerich Kálmán GRÄFIN MARIZA Operetta Director: Damir Lončar – Set and Costume Design
2023
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Franz Lehár THE MERRY WIDOW Operetta Director: Damir Lončar – Set and Costume Design
CROATIAN ACTOR AWARDS 2023 (Nomination for the best Set Design)
2018
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Georges Bizet CARMEN Opera Director: Kobie van Rensburg – Costume Design
2015
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
W.A.Mozart DON GIOVANNI Opera Director: Robert Bošković – Costume Design
2014
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Giacomo Puccini LA BOHEME Opera Director: Petar Vujačić – Costume Design
2014
Komedija Municipal Theatre, Zagreb
Ivo Tijardović THE SPLIT AQUARELLE Operetta Director: Richard Simonelli – Costume Design

BALLET / DANCE
2025
Croatian National Theatre, Split
P.I.Tchaikovsky CLASS CONCERT / Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov SCHEHERAZADE Ballet, Choreographer: Denis Matvienko – Costume Design
2024
Ljubljana Opera House, Ljubljana (November 2024)
Teatro Verdi Trieste, Italy Tour (December 2024)
Ludwig Minkus DON QUIXOTE Ballet, Choreographer: Denis Matvienko – Set and Costume Design
2024
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek (February 2024)
Croatian National Theatre, Split (November 2024)
Hans Christian Andersen / Davor Bobic THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet, Choreographer: Svebor Sečak – Set and Costume Design (Collaboration between two national theatres)
CROATIAN ACTOR AWARD 2025 for the best Set Design together with animation designer Zdenko Basic
2022
Croatian National Theatre, Split
P.I. Tchaikovsky ONEGIN Ballet, Choreographer: Vasily Medvedev – Set and Costume Design
CROATIAN ACTOR AWARDS 2023 (Nomination for the best Set and Costume Design)
2021
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
P.I.Tchaikovsky THE NUTCRACKER Ballet, Choreographer: Dinko Bogdanić – Set and Costume Design
2020
American University in the Emirates, Dubai
P.I.Tchaikovsky THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Ballet, Selected ballet costumes – experimental creative work
Adolphe Adam LE CORSAIRE Ballet, Selected ballet costumes – experimental creative work
2015
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Ferdinand Hérold – Ludwig Hertel LA FILLE MAL GARDEE Ballet Choreographer: Svebor Sečak – Set and Costume
Design
2013
Croatian National Theatre, Zagreb
Sven Copony CHOREOLABOS – HOMO FABER Ballet Choreographer: Sven Copony – Costume Design and making
2011
Croatian National Theatre, Zagreb
P.I.Tchaikovsky THE NUTCRACKER Ballet, Chor. Derek Deane Tiaras – Jewellery design for complete ballet
2005
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Antun Marinić LET’S DANCE THROUGH THE HISTORY Ballet – Costume Design

DRAMA
2013
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Mira Perić Kraljik HANA & HANA Drama Director: Mira Perić Kraljik – Set and Costume Design
2012
Castle/Kaštel Morosini Grimani, Svetvinčenat/Istra
Petra B. Blašković WITCH MARE Drama, Director: Petra B. Blašković – Costume Design and making
2012
Satirical Theatre Kerempuh, Zagreb
Jean Poiret LA CAGE AUX FOLLES/THE BIRDCAGE Comedy, Director: Krešimir Dolenčić – Costume Design
2012
Croatian National Theatre, Zagreb
CROATIAN THEATRE AWARDS Director: Mario Kovač – Selection of costumes and styling
2011
The Dubrava Children’s Theatre
Tomislav Zajec PIGS Drama Director: Helena Petković – Costume Design and making

CHILDREN THEATRE
2015
Children Theatre „Žar Ptica“, Zagreb
Carlo Collodi PINOCCHIO Children’s performance
Director: Želimir Mesarić – Costume Design
(NAJ, NAJ, NAJ FESTIVAL, 1st Prize for Costume Design „Pinocchio“)
2015
Teatar Orange Pula/ Istra
Lewis Caroll ALICE IN WONDERLAND Children’s Musical Director: Marijana Matoković – Costume Design and making
2014
Teatar Orange Pula/ Istra
Alexandre Dumas – Boris Senker THREE MUSKETEERS Drama Director: Majkl Mikolić – Costume Design and making
2015
Teatar Orange Pula Istra
Franjo Tončinić CLEOPATRA Children’s Musical Director: Luka Juričić, Franjo Tončinić – Costume Design and making
2014
Teatar Orange Pula Istra
Franjo Tončinić SANTA FROST Children’s Musical Director: Luka Juričić, Franjo Tončinić – Costume Design and making
2014
Teatar Orange Pula Istra
Franjo Tončinić HERKUL Children’s Musical Director: Luka Juričić, Franjo Tončinić – Costume Design and making
2013
Teatar Orange Pula/ Istra
H.C.Andersen / Majkl Mikolić THE LITTLE MERMAID Children’s Musical Director: Majkl Mikolić – Costume Design and making
2013
Teatar Orange Pula/ Istra
Brothers Grimm HANSEL E GRETEL Children’s Musical Director: Luka Juričić – Costume Design and making
2013
Teatar Orange Pula/ Istra
Charles Perrault – Majkl Mikolić CINDERELLA Children’s Musical Director: Majkl Mikolić – Costume Design and making
2013
Teatar Orange Pula/ Istra
Franjo Tončinić ENCHANTED EASTER, Children’s performance Director: Franjo Tončinić – Costume Design and making
2013
Children Theatre „Žar Ptica“, Zagreb
Johana Spyri HEIDI Children’s performance Director: Želimir Mesarić – Costume Design
2012
Teatar Naranča Pula/ Istra
Majkl Mikolić ALADDIN Children’s Musical Director: Majkl Mikolić – Costume Design and making
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – FASHION
2019
DUBAI – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Dubai World Cup 2019, Millinery Design – Fascinators and Hats, Competition for the best dressed man – Topic – Purple suit – Finalist
2018
DUBAI – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Dubai World Cup 2018, Millinery Design – Fascinators and Hats, Competition for the best dressed man – Topic – World Map – Finalist
2017
DUBAI – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES International Fashion Week, Workshop Millinery Design
2017
DUBAI – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Dubai World Cup 2017, Millinery Design – Fascinators and Hats
2016
OSIJEK – FASHION SHOW (White collection) School of Applied Arts and Design Osijek, Croatia
2014
OSIJEK – FASHION SHOW (Black collection), Croatia
2013
MARIBOR – FASHION SHOW (Black collection), Slovenia
2012
ZAGREB MOVIE FESTIVAL Hostess Dress Zagreb, Croatia
2011
FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW Dresses for Chevrolet Frankfurt, Germany
2011
GENEVA MOTOR SHOW Dresses for Chevrolet Geneva, Switzerland
2009
JOY AND GALA STYLE Fashion, female magazine Fashion stylist (Over one year)
2008
FASHION WARDROBE, Zagreb/Croatia Competition – Fashion design Participant
2007
FASHION INCUBATOR, Osijek/Croatia FASHION SWEETNESS Competition – Fashion design Participant
2006
FASHION INCUBATOR, Osijek/Croatia FASHION MANOR Competition – Fashion design Participant

INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITIONS
2021
Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai/UAE
EXHIBITION OF CLASSICAL BALLET COSTUMES – Exhibition of ballet costumes (The Sleeping Beauty and Le Corsaire)
2017
American University in the Emirates, Dubai/UAE
EXHIBITION OF THEATRICAL SKETCHES – Exhibition of fashion and theatre drawings
2014
Museum of Slavonia, Osijek/Croatia
CONVENTIONS AND INCONVENIENCES OF THE STAGE – Exhibition of theatre costumes and sketches
2012
Komedija Municipal Theatre, Zagreb/Croatia
50 YEARS MARILYN MONROE – Miniature dresses from paper – Exhibition of dresses
2010
Ministry of Beauty and Photo Gallery, Zagreb/Croatia
BEFORE THE PREMIERE – Exhibition of theatre costume sketches
2009
Institut Francais de Zagreb/Croatia
COSTUME & STAGE – ONE AUTHOR – Exhibition of Costume and Set design
NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS
2023
CROATIAN ACTOR AWARDS 2025
Hans Christian Andersen / Davor Bobic THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet, Choreographer: Svebor Sečak – THE BEST SET
DESIGN with coauthor Zdenko Basic (video projections)
2023
CROATIAN ACTOR AWARDS 2023
Ceremony at Croatian National Theatre, Zagreb
A. Franz Lehár THE MERRY WIDOW Operetta Director: Damir Lončar (Nominations for the best Set Design)
B. P.I. Tchaikovsky ONEGIN Ballet, Choreographer: Vasily Medvedev (Nominations for the best Set and Costume
Design)
2016
Children Theatre „Žar Ptica“, Zagreb/Croatia
NAJ, NAJ, NAJ FESTIVAL, 1st Prize for Costume Design „Pinocchio“
2013
Kaptol center, Zagreb/Croatia
BUDI.IN, 1st Prize Award for Fashion Illustration
2010
CROATIAN TOP STUDENT 2010. The highest scholarship in Croatian higher education, Zagreb
2008
Faculty of Textile Technology, University of Zagreb/Croatia
DEAN’S AWARD for Excellence in Innovation, Second Year of Study.
2008
National Cinema Museum, Turin/Italy
Pan-European Competition „Young? Creative? Chevrolet!“ Award: 3rd Prize Award, Discipline – Fashion
2008
The Mimara Museum, Zagreb/Croatia
Chevrolet – National Competition „Young? Creative? Chevrolet!“ Award: 1st Prize Award, Discipline – Fashion

SET DESIGN
2024
Ljubljana Opera House, Ljubljana (November 2024)
Teatro Verdi Trieste, Italy Tour (December 2024)
Ludwig Minkus DON QUIXOTE Ballet, Choreographer: Denis Matvienko – Set and Costume Design
2024
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek (February 2024)
Croatian National Theatre, Split (November 2024)
Hans Christian Andersen / Davor Bobic THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet, Choreographer: Svebor Sečak – Set and Costume Design (Collaboration between two national theatres)
2023
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Franz Lehár THE MERRY WIDOW Operetta Director: Damir Lončar – Set and Costume Design
2022
Croatian National Theatre, Split
P.I.Tchaikovsky ONEGIN Ballet, Choreographer: Vasily Medvedev – Set and Costume Design
2021
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
P.I.Tchaikovsky THE NUTCRACKER Ballet, Choreographer: Dinko Bogdanić – Set and Costume Design
2015
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Ferdinand Hérold – Ludwig Hertel LA FILLE MAL GARDEE Ballet Choreographer: Svebor Sečak – Set and Costume
Design
2013
Croatian National Theatre, Osijek
Mira Perić Kraljik HANA & HANA Drama Director: Mira Perić Kraljik – Set and Costume Design
2009
Humanitarian concert ANA RUKAVINA “I want life”, Zagreb/Croatia – Set Design
2009
Children’s music Festival, Avenue Mall – shopping centre (cinema), Zagreb/Croatia – Set Design
2009
Children’s music Festival
Children’s theatre Branko Mihaljevic, Osijek/Croatia – Set Design

OTHER IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
2025
Museum of the Future Dubai / Abu Dhabi University Dubai – IEREK Conference
Sustainable Creative Art: Inspiration from the Future 1st Edition 22-24 April 2025
Research paper/topic: „Modernizing tradition: Sustainable and Digital Methods in Don Quixote’s ballet production”
2023
The University of Glasgow and Historic Royal Palaces
Online course: A HISTORY OR ROYAL FASHION
2022
American University in the Emirates, Dubai/United Arab Emirates
AUE International Research Conference: Digital Future of Design

1. Paper: The Elements of Costume Design for The Classical Ballet and Application in Fashion Design
2. Paper: The Process of Making Fashion Collection inspired With the Roman Draped Elements
   2021
   London College of Fashion and Kering/United Kingdom
   Online course: FASHION AND SUSTAINABILITY: Understanding luxury fashion in a changing world

2021
London College of Fashion and Kering/United Kingdom
Online course: FASHION AND SUSTAINABILITY: Understanding luxury fashion in a changing world
2015
Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Rome/Italy
„Fabbrica“Young Artist Program – Category: Costume/Set Designer
Finalist (with other three European designers)