The future of Romanian designs looks pretty amazing

As always, Cluj rocked! Maybe is the special vibe, maybe it is about the zen mood all around… One thing is for sure: the young designers, alumni of University of Arts and Design from Cluj are year after year more and more surprising. Look at the UAD Gala Romanian designs.

What UAD Gala meant this year? 27 collections (16 diploma, 11 master), over 60 models, a catwalk long over 70 meters and more than 1000 people watching the graduation collections of the next generation of Romanian designers.

What I saw? A lot of overlaying, plenty of black and white with shaking details of neon fuchsia and yellow, the unlimited use of transparency, the handmade printing and painting on fabrics, the unusual silhouettes inspired by architecture, origami, geometry and futurism, the Romanian traditions going beyond the form and method, a lot of deconstructive techniques, more men’s collections than ever and (again) a lot of black. Plus two special collections, Book Cover Tee (Noemi Meilman) and Syoss (T-shirts and scarfs made by students).

What I loved? The carefully designed and executed Emese Bakó collection, “The Lies Have To Travel”, the perfect details of the embroidery and use of volume. Than, Liliana Timiș coats from “Fără gen”, “Nostril Bleeders” colours in Luis Drăjan vision (one of the most colourful and interesting collections), the simple yet sophisticated models of Anamaria Puț in “Tranziții”, the combo of prints and textures in Sabina Pop “Fragment din Ea”, the nostalgia of uniform colours in “Ceau!” of Ramona Manghiuc. And, of course, the cool T-shirt collection made up by Noemi Meilman, “Book Cover Tee”.

Veronica Tomoș

Smaranda Buc

Sabina Pop

Raul Lazăr

Ramona Manghiuc

Nicoleta Botnaru

Mădălina Stan

Luis Drăjan

Liliana Timiș

Laura Vidican

Georgiana Giuroiu

Evelin Demeter

Emese Bakó

Daniela Tamaș

Crina Rusu

Carla Puț

Carina Breban

Borbola Ferencz

Bogdana Firu

Bogdan Druța

Beata Malnassy

Ariela Grumaz

Anamaria Comanici

Ana Puț

Alina Lipotchi

Adriana Chiluti

Adriana Timofti

Book Cover Tee

The history of the UAD Gala: is a beautiful platform that promotes young alumni of University of Arts and Design from Cluj. And it is the launching point of a lot of young designers that started their career with internships (thanks to the scholarships sustained by the University) at some well-known international brands as Ann Demeulemeester, Craig Green, Ann Sophie BACK, Nasir Mazhar, BLESS, Erdem, Marios Schwab, Meadham Kirchhoff, Barbara i Gongini, Ashish, Michael Sontag, HAAL, H&M etc. The latest achievements: former alumni Andreea Castrase is now hired in H&M design studio in Stockholm and Ancuța Sarca was one of the finalist of Designer for Tomorrow contest (mentored by Alber Elbaz).

ARTICLES FROM LAST YEAR GALA 

Interviews with the designers: Sorana Barb, Nadejda Iacubina, Linda Szabo

(Coordinators: Prof.univ.dr. Elena Basso Stănescu, Lect.univ.dr. Lucian Broscățean, Prof.univ.dr. Anca Pia Rusan)

Scenography: Matei Miko. Make-up: MAC Cosmetics Romania. Hairstyle: Foarfeca de Aur, Vestige Atelier des Beaux Arts, POP Academy, Catwalk by Ramona Mîndru. Models: Transilvania Fashion. Music: Dj LeXi & Lorant

Photography: Emil Costruț / Styling: Diana Flore