Here comes the new wave of fashion designers: meet the graduates from MDVTM 2026 generation

A lot of explorations of techniques, a good mix of soft and tuff fabrics, a lot of overlays, a mix between urban and traditional, ancient symbols or mythologies, a continuous quest for the identity in contrast with the contemporary world. And a cool vibe given by music, the atmosphere and the models. The graduates of MDVTM 2026 generation have searched for themselves through their collections. How the designers from the Faculty of Arts and Design (West University) Timișoara see the fashion of the coming years? See below, in the collections presented at the MDVTM Gala 2026. (photo up – Ioana-Andrada Demian, backstage by Valentin Oniciuc)

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You can follow their collections and projects on Instagram –  @mdvtm.uvt/ @arte_uvt. MDVTM Fashion School Timișoara 2026 Gala included 20 collections. HERE – a video with the collections.

The collections to put on my favorite list… 

I will start here with Lavinia Maria Toader and her Sea of Imperfections collection – loved the technique of transforming the fabrics, the mix between white, blue and black and the story that tells us that wrinkles, transformations and the sea dynamic caught into the volumes and asymmetries are, in fact, an expression of experience and evolution. Then, I put on my fav list the white and black outfits signed Mihaela Levința (God is a Woman) – rigid lines & cuts inspired by the masculin suit, tulle and delicacy that creates a subtle dialogue between exterior fragility and the power of feminine spirit. The third choice is Victoria Rusu (Predania) that I saw, actually, winning the big prize at Romanian Creative Week in the spring: a very well put together moodboard, cool inspiration from ancient symbols of wedding ceremony. 

I put on my fav list the Japanese-inspired pieces of Angela Pop (Finding Identity) with wood and stone accents, overlayed on a minimalist structure. But also the powerful outfits of Mihaela Maria Cernescu (Born Unique) – a collection that talks about the beauty of being different, inspired by minerals and crystals, well composed in black and white. And the Giulia Brata collection (Neuro) that explores the link between body, mind and restrictions of the society – I liked the way that hospital elements are integrated into the outfits. 

P.S. – Stay tuned for the upcoming interviews with some of the favorites!

The details to love… 

… those from the very happy and pink collection signed by Loredana Valentina Firan (Suflet de Pluș) where a very loved item of the childhood (teddy bear) is integrated into the outfits as a bag, as a cut, as a big jacket. Also, I liked the shoulder details at Ana Maria Percea (Conosci Me! collection) – a mix of human fingerprints and modern QR codes that compose a collection that creates a dialogue between fragility, expression and contemporary innovation. I found very interesting the details at Leea Nathalie Vâlcu (Re/motion) where some pieces from sport garments are upcycled into some different structures, with the help of some corsets and elements borrowed from haute couture. And, speaking of corsets, it was so refreshing to see the use of the leather corset combined with fluid materials at Ioana Andrada Demian (After the Silence) the designer said that, in this way, the collection can illustrate the road from trauma to healing. 

And speaking of details, I won’t pass this chapter without saying that I liked the use of frills and ruffles, the earthy tones and the contrast between fabrics, from tulle and organza to rigid cotton in Dora Vargyasi (Carved Time) collection. Also, in the same note, Andra Ichim and her Roots of the Bloom collection explored the cultural memory and, in particular, one detail – the embroidered rose on traditional clothes, which has been remodeled and reinterpreted in urban looks. 

And many nice things I have seen… 

Well, I can write a novel, but I think that images are speaking for themselves. Therefore, I will notice here Vlad-Cristian Baleanu (Bodyplus+) collection, that investigates the relation between body, identity and the contemporary defense mechanisms; Narcisa-Emilia Moldovan (Lighst and Shadows) nice overlayed textures and the contrast between clean shapes and volumetric details; Denisa-Iuliana Talpă (The Layered Self) with recycled fabrics mixed with new ones and crocheted pieces; Francisca-Antonia Balint (Anomaly Bloom) collection, inspired by punk and grunge subcultures that explores the authenticity and freedom of expression. 

I admired the intention of exploring old traditions of Romani in Alexia-Bianca Talpă (Ederlezi) and the vivacity of Delia Văduva (Saudade) collection, inspired by a Portuguese mood of living the life. I have noticed the bioplastic details in Laura Ștefania Merăuți (Synth) collection and the teen vibe in Who is She? collection, by Violeta Mujdar. 

The coordinators of the graduation projects are: Conf. univ. dr. Cristina Lazăr, Conf. univ. dr. Andreea Palade, Conf. univ. dr. Valentina Ștefănescu, Lect. univ. dr. Eugenia Riemschneider, Lect. asoc. dr. Corina Mutu, Asist. univ. dr. Andreea Matei, Asist. univ. drd. Evelina Tănasie, Asist. univ. drd. Mihaela Vișovan.. 

(Photo – Iuliana Balint – backstage photo by Bogdan Marchevca)

Photography: Ewald Gruescu, Valentin Oniciuc, Bogdan Marchevca.