The city of Sibiu became a beacon of creativity as Feeric Fashion Week celebrated its 16th edition. This year’s event seamlessly combined avant-garde fashion with a new educational focus, offering a platform for emerging talents worldwide.
Designers from regions such as Eastern Europe, North Africa, Balkans and Central Asia gathered in Sibiu to unveil their collections. Over 100 young designers, presenting their pinnacle projects, prepared to step onto the global fashion stage. The event began with two days of insightful fashion discussions and international workshops. Industry experts, including Giovanni Otonello from IED, Donald Gjoka from COEVAL Studio, Sara Sozzani Maino, and professors from the University of Westminster, provided comprehensive insights into design, as well as the financial and commercial aspects of the industry. Roxana Baias from NEPI Rockcastle further enhanced participants’ understanding of the fashion ecosystem.
The fashion shows that followed were visually stunning, capturing the essence of Feeric Fashion Week’s innovative spirit. Students from the Ukrainian Fashion Education Group presented a collection that transcended clothing, telling a moving story. Inspired by love, nature, and the passage of time, they showcased the true power of creativity amidst challenging times. The ambitious choice of venue—a bunker nestled beneath Promenada Sibiu—served as an evocative backdrop, amplifying the emotional resonance of these poignant creations.
In the ethereal setting of Cinegold, home of Feeric Venue, University National Academy of Arts, Sofia displayed surrealist and floral street style collections, Kristina Netkal representing Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design (SAPU) presented her upcycled “You Belong Here” collection, and Egypt showcased dynamic designs from Newgiza University and Galala University, featuring post-apocalyptic themes, innovative knitwear, and sustainable fashion. Christina Manelidi’s “Funghi” project representing Athens Fashion Club emphasized eco-friendly, fungi-inspired garments, while International Balkan University students explored personal and sustainable themes. FashionxNbu and Atelier Veredia combined unique shapes with symbolism, Alexandra Țigăeru tackled societal labels, Aurel Vlaicu University reimagined myths, and Ceban Laurenția’s “House Shadows” blended traditional techniques with modern design.
The grand columned Brukenthal Museum featured Dualitae’s “The Primadonna,” a collection merging dramatic couture with ready-to-wear to empower women with luxurious fabrics and bold silhouettes. Vicko Racetin’s nostalgic collection interwove 1990s Croatian fashion with personal memories through textured knitwear and coastal-inspired designs. Ciorna Teodora’s “Wasabi” showcased vibrant streetwear-inspired outfits, highlighting individuality and confidence. From the University of Arts in Tirana, Xheksil Muça’s “The Brides” combined traditional Mirdita motifs with modern elements in dramatic designs, while Francesko Berati’s “Roots” reimagined Elbasan’s heritage through tufted and screen-printed garments inspired by local folklore and personal history.
Hooldra project, created by students of all Romanian art universities, followed the theme of fluid geometry, with a runway designed to reflect this concept: the Belvedere Park located in Sibiu. The collection highlights the fluidity and dynamic nature of the garments, blending traditional and innovative techniques, creating a striking synergy between fashion and sustainability.
The fashion journey then continued with an eclectic group collection from the Faculty of Arts and Design at West University of Timișoara, presenting graduation projects that delved into social inclusion, diversity, personal memory, digitalization, and sustainability, with more shows yet to follow.
The innovative spirit continued at Sibiu International Airport, where the University of Art and Design in Cluj infused the arrivals terminal with artistic flair. This was followed by Raluca Elena Cînean’s Synergia x Promenada collection in the enchanting green garden of the Promenada mall, and an adrenaline-fueled presentation at the Venom Karting track, merging elegant clothing with electric go-kart excitement, showcasing the boundless creativity and ingenuity of the event, featuring Alina Kusaitė and Dovilė Deveikytė from Kauno Kolegija Higher Education Institution, Kaunas, Lithuania ; and Olari Cezara representing the Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.
At Boromir factory, a series of compelling fashion collections brought an artistic flourish to the historic flour mill: Kinga Palider representing Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design (SAPU) showcased her “Le Mans” collection, which merges dynamic automotive-inspired elements with eco-leather and 3D features to address body dysmorphia and celebrate self-acceptance; Ana Majdandžić from the University of Zagreb explored the theme of personal identity loss through her “Actor’s Mask” collection, which uses distorted prints and innovative fabric manipulations to depict the complex interplay between reality and delusion; and the Technical University of Moldova’s showcase with collections highlighting the complexity of black, avian-inspired elegance, and deconstructed forms critiquing societal issues.
Despite the unpredictability of weather, the Feeric Gala materialized into a mesmerizing showcase of talent, where the unwavering dedication of models and organizers persevered amidst rain-soaked runways, captivating the audience with collections from esteemed institutions worldwide and designers such as the National University of Arts, Bucharest, IDA- International Design Academy, Jabalpur, India, Faculty of Applied Arts Belgrade represented by Aleksandra Perović, Marko Ječmenica & Isidora Petrovic, IED – Istituto Europeo di Design, Athens Fashion Club represented by Triamia, Daiana Stăncioiu, Munira Usmanova from Uzbekistan and the final presentation of this year’s Feeric Fashion Week festival and gala was signed by Anelle Maison, featuring a collection that stands out for its attention to detail and creative approach, offering pieces that combine elegance and modernity.
The legacy of Feeric Fashion Week continues to evolve, transcending boundaries and inspiring a new generation of designers to push the envelope of creativity and redefine the very essence of fashion innovation.
Feeric Fashion Week is an event co-financed by Sibiu City Hall, supported by NEPI Rockcastle, Promenada Sibiu, Cinegold and Ford.
words. Landiana Cerciu
runway photography. Cornel Petrus
cover image. Anca Nicolae
