These days it takes much more than a BA degree to become a true fashion designer. Three years of university studies provide fashion students a certain amount of knowledge, specific skills and techniques to be developed and completed further with other experiences, internships, additional courses and a proper job in the field.

Therefore, it is not easy at all for a fashion student in the last year to put himself/herself together in order to articulate a mature discourse and to make a personal statement with the first collection. Yet, some of the students that presented their collections on the catwalk of the UAD Fashion Gala 2014 (the graduation show of Fashion Department at University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca), succeeded to make a strong impression.

Definitely, Giorgiana Giuroiu was one of them. Her graduating collection titled Folcloriada stood out through the originality of the inspiration source, the novelty in interpreting a traditional theme and the innovative materials introduced.

The collection has its roots in Romanian folklore and the title refers to a “healing” journey meant to recover the authentic values of cultural heritage. In many ways, this collection epitomizes designer’s personal quest, that moved from her passion of studying specific elements of Romanian traditional costume (headpieces, peasant coats, masks and belts) to the challenge of converting them into comprehensive contemporary outfits. The ironic twist also helped a lot.

The clothing ensembles resulted from this creative experiment succeeded to integrate folk elements in contemporary style, abstracting the traditional costume silhouette and proposing new solutions for the textile surfaces. The techno shepherds on the catwalk wore outfits made out of quilted plastic filled with raw wool, holographic leather jackets, impressive belts and handmade knitwear paired with sneakers and metallic leggings.

Below, there are  a few sketches and moodboards from designer’s lab, giving some hints of her creative process.

And here are some close-ups of the final products.

Giorgiana Giuroiu’s graduation collection from University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca/ coordinators: Professor PhD Anca Pia Rusan, Lecturer PhD Lavinia Ban, Tutor PhD Smaranda Bercea/ Catwalk photos by Daniel Robu, backstage photos by Raisa Hagiu.

A fresh graduate from University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca (MA studies), Gabriela Dejo  explores the concept of ‘imperfection’ in her eponymous collection presented at UAD Fashion Design Gala 2014. The notion of beauty as imperfection has become more significant over the last years, a direction which has grown as ‘human’ reaction against the rapid advances in technology and the idealized world of the digital era. In her own way, Gabriela searches an emotional version of reality in asymmetric cuts, printed fabrics inspired by nature, straw accessories, clothes that could easily melt into the natural landscapes. In designer’s words: “…in a chaotic world, there are still simplicity, principles and good taste; these can be found in the culture of the Far East, in the Japanese aesthetic. Reduced to pure essence, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity of nature, in accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay and death.”

“IMperfection” – MA collection by Gabriela Dejo/ Coordinating teacher: Prof. PhD Anca Pia Rusan
Photography : luviar.ro by Mihai Andrei Popa/ Photo Assistants : Maria Balea & Marius Dobra/ Make-Up & Hair : Anca Marchis/ Model : Fica Balancan