Réka Kinga Bartha, young designer UAD 2025: “The only constant in my life is change”

First, I’ve noticed the shades of blue. Than, I admired the prints and the ingenuity of layering the hard plastic skirt and a silky beautiful coat. I was intrigued of the designer and her theme (the cocoon & butterfly transformation). And finally, I had to meet the designer. I talked to Réka Kinga Bartha, a young designer from UAD 2025 alumni, about inspiration, fashion stories to remember and the things that define her as an artist. 

#FashionBlogger #FashionTrend #RomanianDesigner #English

We can find Réka Kinga Bartha designs on – Instagram @reka.bartha07.
More about UAD Fashion 2025 collections – here.

How would you define your collection? Why this name, why this story? 

My collection is built around the metamorphosis metaphor. I chose this theme because the only constant in my life is change. Transformation and renewal play a crucial role in our daily lives. The butterfly’s metamorphosis serves as the most fitting symbol of this process.

The hardest part in the process of making the collection was…

The most challenging part of the collection was bringing the sketches to life. I created all the patterns myself, which is a highly time-consuming and complex task. Additionally, I had to sew every piece by hand as a prototype. Overall, the execution was the most difficult part of the process.

Name 5 elements that were on your daily mood-board during the collection making… 

Butterfly, cocoon, artistic sketches, subtraction cutting exercises, handmade prints.

Your first love story with the fashion world was…

My first love story with the fashion world was Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty collection.

The most important lesson that you have learnt in school years at UAD   Fashion was…

You always run into problems you didn’t expect — ones you have to solve. Never give up. Work, work, and work. Inspiration can come from anywhere.

The piece that will always be in your future collections will be…

The corset.

The trend that you hate (now and ever) is…

I don’t have any trend that I particularly hate. Everyone should dress authentically according to their personality.

What is next for you?

The next step is to get into a master’s program at university and discover new places, maybe with an Erasmus exchange. 

Name 3 fashion things that define you… 

Preferred color palette, wearing earth tones. Favorite style or silhouette: vintage inspired, consistent vibe or mood: bohemian. 

Music: Eric Clapton Layla
Movie: Hannibal Lecter – “The Silence of the Lambs”
City: Cluj Napoca
Food: stuffed cabbage rolls 
Painting: Paul Gauguin, Nevermore
Object design: bridge
School: art school
Colour: brown
Fabric: leather
Fashion: vintage 

Photography: David Kato @davidkato__
Video: Andra Roman @aandraroman
Make-up Ioana Mălai @im.beauti10
Hairstyle: Mira @mira.elenaa
Thank you, Radisson Blue Cluj!