Feeric Fashion Week made a remarkable comeback with its 16th edition in Sibiu, drawing a refined audience to experience innovative fashion presented in unique venues. The event featured a remarkable array of collections from more than 100 designers, turning the city’s renowned venues into captivating runways.
Echoes of Resilience: Ukrainian Fashion Education Group (UFEG)
The Ukrainian Fashion Education Group (UFEG) opened Feeric Fashion Week with their evocative collection, Existence, staged in the atmospheric bunker beneath Promenada Sibiu. UFEG began their presentation with a remarkable phone conversation between the students and Landiana, the vice president of Feeric Fashion Week, This was abruptly interrupted by the piercing sounds of an anti-aircraft alarm and nearby explosions, intensifying the setting and highlighting the resilience of the young designers.
Held in the evocative bunker beneath Promenada Sibiu, the Existence collection transformed these challenges into a powerful display of creativity and strength. The designs reflected the students’ ability to turn adversity into profound fashion statements, showcasing their innovative spirit amidst the backdrop of their difficult realities.
Ukrainian Fashion Education Group
Netkaldesigns by Kristina Netkal: “YOU BELONG HERE”
Kristina Netkal’s collection, YOU BELONG HERE, addressed the urgent issues of climate change and environmental degradation through innovative design. Crafted from upcycled materials, this collection anticipates a future where humanity must adapt to new planetary conditions. It features multifunctional garments, such as document-holding pockets, hydration-friendly elements, and face masks that blend utility with identity. The collection also challenges traditional gender norms, presenting gender-neutral designs that celebrate unity and equality, positioning itself as both a practical survival toolkit and a symbol of shared human experience.
University National Academy of Arts, Sofia: Surrealism in Fabric
In a striking exploration of surrealism, students from the University National Academy of Arts, Sofia – Gabriela Mihova, Ivaila Genova, Silvia Nikolova, Georgi Karantilski, Debora Todorova, Nia Yordanova, and Rim Ramadan – have crafted a collection that exemplifies both individual creativity and cohesive unity. Emphasizing sustainability, their work incorporated diverse design elements and principles, showcasing how individual narratives can converge into a cohesive fashion statement. This exploration highlighted fashion’s role as a medium for personal expression and environmental mindfulness, demonstrating a deep engagement with both design and ecological issues.
University National Academy of Arts, Sofia
University National Academy of Arts, Sofia: Iva Georgieva’s “Bouquet Bandit”
Iva Georgieva’s Bouquet Bandit collection fused gritty streetwear with sophisticated elements inspired by a fictional bank robber with a hidden passion for romance. The collection combined classic urban staples—such as bomber jackets, baggy jeans, and oversized tees—with subtle nods to business attire. A dark color palette contrasted with floral motifs and vibrant pink accents, while a custom dollar print reimagined currency, symbolizing a shift from traditional symbols of power to a redefined economic perspective. This collection reflects a nuanced blend of crime, romance, and evolving economic themes.
UNAA: Iva Georgieva
University National Academy of Arts, Sofia: Dimitar Avramov’s “Metamorphosis”
Dimitar Avramov’s Metamorphosis delved into the theme of human transformation inspired by the butterfly’s life cycle. The collection mirrored the stages of metamorphosis—cocoon to vibrant wings—by integrating elements of casual and sportswear with butterfly-inspired prints. This fusion of styles and motifs illustrated the fluidity and rapid change inherent in both nature and human behavior, celebrating the ongoing evolution of life and identity through dynamic and visually compelling designs.
NEWGIZA University, Cairo: Post-Apocalyptic Fashion Project
The Post-Apocalyptic Fashion Project from NEWGIZA University envisioned a future shaped by conflict, disease, and environmental catastrophe. The collection utilized salvaged and repurposed materials to explore themes of endurance and survival. Central to the collection was a narrative of a Middle Eastern muse who, after fleeing devastation, becomes a leader among survivors. Her distinctive style combined cultural heritage with futuristic design elements, offering a fresh perspective on beauty and fashion in extreme conditions and redefining traditional concepts in a post-apocalyptic context.
Christina Manelidi Designs: The Funghi Project
Christina Manelidi’s The Funghi Project drew inspiration from the diverse world of fungi, including yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. The collection showcased innovative fashion silhouettes influenced by the unique forms and textures of fungi. Emphasizing environmental sustainability, the designs incorporated eco-friendly materials and practices, reflecting Manelidi’s commitment to marrying natural inspiration with responsible design. This collection represents a forward-thinking approach to fashion, blending natural beauty with contemporary ecological concerns.
International Balkan University, Skopje: Moonbow
This year, students from the Faculty of Art and Design at International Balkan University in Skopje embarked on a journey to uncover their unique creative voices. Each student delved into personal themes and inspirations, translating them into fashion narratives with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Dualitae by Alina Lazariu: The Primadonna Fall-Winter 24/25 Capsule Collection
Alina Lazariu’s The Primadonna capsule collection for Fall-Winter 24/25 offered a blend of ready-to-wear and couture, designed for both daily elegance and evening sophistication. Utilizing luxurious fabrics like fine wool, leather, poplin, neoprene, and satin, the collection featured dramatic shapes and silhouettes. A palette of deep blacks, vibrant reds, and striking grays created a visual narrative where masculine lines met extravagant corsets and tulle, embodying a sense of romance and grandeur. This collection transformed every moment into a personal story of grace and distinction.
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile Technology: Vicko Racetin’s [grand]-PA Collection
Vicko Racetin’s [grand]-PA collection from the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Textile Technology explored 1990s Croatian fashion through a lens of personal nostalgia. Inspired by his grandfather, the collection combined childhood memories and seaside influences with contemporary design. Featuring natural cotton fabrics and robust hardware, the collection also marked Racetin’s debut into knitwear, using crochet techniques to create intricate pieces. The warm, symbolic palette of black and brown infused the collection with a deep sense of personal significance, honoring familial connections and personal history.
HOOLDRA: Pioneering Sustainable Elegance
On Day 1 of Feeric Fashion Week, the HOOLDRA project set a new benchmark for sustainable fashion. Coordinated by Daiana Stăncioiu, this collection focused on creating an ethical fashion standard with minimal environmental impact. Using deadstock materials, HOOLDRA’s fluid geometry theme reimagined classic silhouettes like jackets and trench coats with innovative designs.
Collaborating with six top art universities in Romania, students crafted unique ensembles blending conventional and unconventional techniques. The project’s emphasis on manual interventions and detailed embroidery highlighted its commitment to sustainable fashion. Supported by Feeric Fashion Week and Humane Society International Romania, HOOLDRA championed the integration of eco-friendly practices with creative design.
West University of Timișoara: Group Collection
The group collection from West University of Timișoara brought a dynamic array of designs to Feeric Fashion Week. This collective showcase featured fashion students Francisca Balint, Florin Breje, Gabriela Besenszky, Violeta Mujdar, Claudiu-Raul Pașcalău, Denisa Adelina Popescu, and Victoria Rusu, highlighting their graduation projects.
The collection offered an eclectic mix of outfits exploring contemporary themes with a sustainable approach, such as social inclusion, diversity, personal memory, digitalization, and the evolution of neural capacities. Each piece reflected innovative responses to modern challenges, highlighting the students’ creative vision and commitment to relevant fashion issues.
A Legacy of Excellence: Feeric Fashion Week’s Collaborative Vision
Feeric Fashion Week exemplifies a collaborative spirit, supported by the Sibiu City Hall and esteemed partners like NEPI Rockcastle, Promenada Sibiu, CineGold, and Ford.
Written by: Adela Cioruta
Photo credit: Cornel Petrus, Anca Nicolae
Photo credit cover picture: Adrian Murgea
