Lost and Found

Womenswear designer whose work focuses on creative pattern cutting and extensive research, drawing inspiration from both historical archives and everyday life. Growing up in post-communist Romania, I was surrounded by objects preserved by those who lived through the era, sparking my fascination with uncovering beauty in seemingly forgotten things. My design approach intertwines the historical and the mundane, creating garments that tell stories through intricate construction and thoughtful details. I reimagine forgotten techniques and merge them with contemporary aesthetics, as seen in my collection ‘Lost and Found,’ which fuses Romantic Brutalism with Romanticized Capitalism. This collection reflects my fascination with 1920s silhouettes and the 1990s Eastern European obsession with tracksuits, as well as a nostalgia for sentimental household objects from my childhood. The silhouettes are inspired by oversized napkins, communist school uniforms, and Romanian folk costumes, embracing eclectic looks with playful combinations of fabrics and accessories. The fabrics and materiality of the collection are inspired by bits and bobs found around my grandparents' house. These items, each with their own story, have influenced the texture and feel of the garments, adding a layer of personal history and tactile richness to the designs.