Freedom of childhood: interview with the young designer Gergely Petra (UAD 2026) 

Her collection was like a fresh & funny pause for me between some of the black outfits of UAD Fashion 2026 runway.  Gergely Petra found her inspiration in LEGO pieces and Barbie pink and definitely caught my eyes with the huge pink puffer jacket and the cute little drawings. “I have learned that failure is part of the creative process and you should never give up”, the young designer said. And I am more than eager to see what she is going to present on the catwalk two days from now, in her Master collection. 

Gergely Petra – collection (BA) RE:PLAY – @gpetra16. 
More about all UAD 2026 collections – here – on the link. 
Photography: Ana-Maria Fronie „Cinci” – @five__fro / Make-up: Ana Metes – @anametes / Hairstyle: Bogdan Cîrdei – @bogdanc__

Your collection for 2026 UAD Fashion was inspired by…

My biggest inspiration was LEGO, my favorite childhood toy. I connected it with the creativity and freedom of childhood, and that’s how the RE:PLAY collection was born.

You chose these fabrics / these graphics / these patterns because…

I chose holographic fabrics because they are playful and eye-catching. Cotton provides comfort, while black lace balances the bright colors and shiny textures. The prints are based on my own drawings, where I transformed some of my favorite things into LEGO-inspired illustrations.

Tell me about the actual process of making the collection.

The whole process took around six months. I made the collection with some help, especially during the sewing process. The most challenging pieces were definitely the puffer jackets.

How can we solve the dilemma: why should we invest in a Romanian designer piece instead of one from a famous brand?

I think uniqueness is one of the most important reasons. Wearing a piece designed by a local designer feels special, and I think supporting local creativity is something to be proud of.

Tell me one personal story related to the fashion world.

I’ve always loved fashion and expressing myself through clothes. But during highschool I had to wear a uniform every day for four years. That’s when I realized that after graduation I wanted to study fashion and have the freedom to express myself through design.

One important lesson learnt at UAD Fashion department is…

I have learned that failure is part of the creative process and you should never give up. I also realized that being surrounded by the right people makes every challenge much easier.

The piece that will always be in your collection is…

The pink holographic puffer. It became the iconic piece of the RE:PLAY collection and, for me, it perfectly captures its playful spirit, bold colors and creativity.

The Romanian designers relevant right now for you are…

I’ve been following Ancuța Sarca’s work for many years and I really admire her designs. I also love the jewelry created by Diana Cojocaru.

One city, one song, one movie just perfect for your collection will be…

City: Los Angeles. Song: Arcadia (Boys Noize Remix). Movie: Barbie. 

What is next for you?

My goal is to build my own fashion brand, present my work at more fashion shows and continue designing new collections.

Thanks, Radisson Blu Cluj for the support! – @radissonblucluj