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Since the end of the 90s, the ROMANIAN FASHION WEEK team has set out to build a strong platform for established and emerging designers, generating a creative context aimed at providing mentoring, support and promotion for the endeavours of designers who, over time, have written important chapters in the recent history of Romanian fashion, with reverberations in professional international fashion environments.
RFW, one of the pillars of the ROMANIAN CREATIVE WEEK festival, has set itself the goal for the 2025 anniversary edition, to develop what has been built in over 25 years, namely – the platform for launching and supporting new generations. For young designers, the new dedicated section is called RFW New Wave, and RFW Academia is the name of the section that focuses on projects by BA, MA & PhD students from the six invited institutions: University of Art and Design of Cluj-Napoca, National University of Arts in Bucharest, National University of Arts “George Enescu” in Iasi, West University of Timisoara, Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” in Iasi and the Technical University of Moldova in Chisinau.
The RFW ACADEMIA Jury is composed of 6 professors representing the invited art institutions: Lecturer PhD Smaranda Bercea, University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca; Lecturer PhD Venera Arapu, National University of Arts in Bucharest; Professor PhD Cornelia Brustureanu, National University “George Enescu” in Iași; Professor PhD Antonela Curteza, Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” of Iași; Lecturer PhD Alina Tocarciuc, Technical University of Moldova in Chisinau; Lecturer PhD Cristina Lazăr, West University of Timișoara, and the RFW jury members: Alexandru Abagiu, Lucian Broscățean, Ovidiu Buta, Ioana Ciolacu, Sorin Stratulat.
On Friday, May 23rd 2025, will be presented both the collections of the finalists of the Call-for-Projects of the RFW Academia, the collection of the winner of the competition held in 2024 – FREUDENBERG Innovation, as well as six group collections, one from each of the Fashion Departments of the invited universities.
The curators and coordinators of RFW Academia are: Lucian Broscățean & Ioana Ciolacu.
Finalists

ALEXA CRÎȘMĂREANU
Alexa Crîșmăreanu, a graduate and master’s student at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, finds her inspiration in the melancholy of everyday life and the uncertainty of personal journeys. Through her design, she explores how emotional states can be translated into the work.
Her creative process often begins with sketches, intuitive doodles that capture the initial idea. These then undergo a meticulous and chaotic process, eventually evolving into a finished product. In this way, she aims to create a product that reflects as much as possible the sincerity of the initial sketch, the first idea.
Instagram: @alexacrismareanu

ANDRADA NEGRU
Andrada Negru is a second-year master’s student at the Faculty of Arts and Design, Fashion Design – Textile Design Department, within the West University of Timișoara. A graduate of the same faculty’s bachelor’s program in the Fashion and Clothing Design Department, Andrada has developed an artistic vision focused on responsible fashion and uniqueness. Through the exploration of materials and textile techniques, her creations reflect a conceptual approach where aesthetics and environmental responsibility come together.
The NOIR brand, created by Andrada, is the expression of her core values in fashion design. Inspired by her own name, NOIR embraces the concept of responsible fashion, eliminating the need for new resource consumption by exclusively using repurposed materials. Each piece is individually crafted, transforming into a unique style statement meant to celebrate the authenticity of those who wear it.
Instagram: @andrabia12

BEGHIM GENGHIZ
Beghim Genghiz is an emerging designer, a graduate of the Bachelor’s program, and a current Master’s student at the Fashion Design Department of the University of Arts and Design from Cluj-Napoca.
His work takes shape through the desire to create and showcase a profound and innovative creative universe. The relationship between his cultural and creative identity fuels a continuous exploration of what can become a distinctive aesthetic reference within the inner world of his creations. This duality reflects a constant struggle between conformity and authenticity, between the desire to belong and the need to assert oneself as a unique individual. With an oriental cultural background, his personal identity in relation to the contemporary social context becomes a defining element in his creative process.
A key aspect of his work is the versatility of the wardrobe. Fashion is seen as a tool that allows a single garment to remain essential in multiple social contexts. His focus on pattern geometrization, through intelligent tailoring and timeless design, ensures that each piece adapts to the wearer’s personal style and needs. This approach not only enhances the durability and functionality of the garments but also reduces excessive consumption, promoting a more conscious lifestyle.
His pieces reflect an inner desire to stand out through subtle refinement, making an impact without ostentation. The continuous reinterpretation of refinement and the deconstruction of preconceived notions remain among his ongoing creative pursuits.
Instagram: @genghizbeghim

IOANA DODOLOI
The Ioana Dodoloi brand, founded by the designer of the same name, is a fresh initiative in the fashion industry, aiming to explore and represent relevant themes of contemporary society through authentic and expressive clothing creations. Each piece designed under this label is conceived as an artistic statement, blending historical, cultural, and modern concepts into an innovative and personalized design.
At Ioana Dodoloi brand, we seek to address significant themes and issues of the modern world, filtered through an artistic lens that integrates historical references and conceptual elements. Every garment is unique, reflecting a meticulous creative process and a clear vision. To emphasize this uniqueness, each piece is assigned a distinct code, reinforcing its individuality.
Sustainability is the core value of the brand, a fundamental principle that guides every stage of the creative process. We strive to use sustainable materials, ethically sourced and with minimal environmental impact, paying special attention to already existing resources. Our collections incorporate recycled fabrics, old, unused, or even damaged clothing, which we reinterpret and transform into new creations. We promote the concept of slow fashion, encouraging a more conscious and responsible relationship with clothing, focused on long-term wear, restoration, and the upcycling process. In doing so, we merge aesthetics with responsibility, proving that fashion and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.
Ioana Dodoloi is a master’s student at the Faculty of Decorative Arts and Design at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca. From the beginning of her studies, she has been deeply interested in the processes of deconstructing and reconstructing objects, exploring how various traditional and artisanal techniques can be reinterpreted in a contemporary aesthetic. Her passion for knitting, crocheting, unraveling, and other manual techniques is reflected in her creations, each carrying an experimental and innovative character.
Inspired by concepts such as the aesthetics of imperfection, social activism, and fashion history, Ioana explores ideas that go beyond the simple functionality of clothing, transforming them into means of personal expression and commentary on the world we live in. Her participation in various internships and artistic projects has given her the opportunity to work in diverse environments, enhancing her practical skills and deepening her passion for the process of creating garments from scratch.
For Ioana, fashion is not just about aesthetics but also about identity and social impact. Through her collections, she blends personal experiences, cultural influences, and historical references, creating pieces that are not only artistically valuable but also carry a profound message. In her vision, fashion should be authentic, sustainable, and thoughtful, offering not just a product but an entire experience.
Instagram: @ioanadodoloi

M STUDIO
M STUDIO is a brand founded by Mădălina Țăran out of a desire to share her artistic vision with a wider audience. It serves as an extension of her creative identity, blending her personal interests, passion, and aspirations with a sophisticated aesthetic approach.
Mădălina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca and is currently pursuing her Master’s studies at the same institution.
Dedicated to the modern woman, M STUDIO is rooted in the profound connection between clothing—as an expression of identity—fashion design, and the history of women’s rights. The brand aims to honor the legacy of the women who, throughout history, have contributed to redefining social and aesthetic norms, offering today’s women the freedom to express themselves authentically. Every M STUDIO garment is a statement piece designed to inspire confidence and elegance. The brand celebrates the contemporary woman’s freedom to be herself and to wear what truly represents her. Mădălina’s personal research and interests in this field have laid the solid foundation for the brand she aspires to develop.
M STUDIO is committed to delivering high-quality clothing, designed to instill confidence and comfort in the women who choose it. The brand focuses on complex cuts and patterns, premium fabrics, and responsible production practices, ensuring meticulous attention to the finest details.
M STUDIO celebrates contemporary femininity and is dedicated to strong, independent women who understand the value of authenticity, embracing each piece as a symbol of freedom and personal choice.
Instagram: @mstudio.clothing

SEBASTIAN CRUCIANU
Sebastian Crucianu is a third-year Fashion Design student at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, Bachelor’s degree program. Among the central points of the young designer’s creation are the manipulation of textile surfaces through innovative hand embroidery techniques and the development of digital prints inspired by phytomorphic and zoomorphic structures.
Another tool used by Sebastian is the hybridization of classic clothing elements, such as shirts, trench coats or jackets, which contributes to shaping contemporary silhouettes.
Instagram: @sebastiancrucianu

STELIANA MACSIMOV-FARCAȘ
Steliana Macsimov-Farcaș is a fashion designer and a master’s student at the National University of Arts in Bucharest, whose creations reflect a bold and refined artistic vision. Passionate about costume history and glam aesthetics, Steliana reinterprets classic elements through a modern approach, adding playful and eccentric accents that turn each piece into a statement of style.
Her creative signature stands out through an innovative visual play on the feminine silhouette, where optical effects and elaborate details create a balance between elegance and audacity. Her emblematic color, fuchsia, symbolizes her strong artistic personality, bringing energy and vitality to each creation. Whether it is architectural shapes, dramatic volumes, or surprising contrasts, every piece signed by Steliana exudes a unique expression of contemporary femininity.
Another defining element of her style is creative perfection, reflected in meticulous attention to detail and the impeccable execution of each product. Every creation results from in-depth research and technical mastery, emphasizing her high standards and passion for fashion design.
Through her vision, Steliana Macsimov-Farcaș aims to redefine the boundaries of fashion, blending luxury with a playful spirit and creating pieces that not only dress but also tell stories, inspire, and impress.
Instagram: @stelianaf
Curator

Lucian Broscățean
Fashion design, academic career, curatorial projects, artistic direction are creative extensions of the personal branding built by Lucian Broscățean.
In October 2001 he was awarded by Doina Levintza in the contest of the TV show “Levintza Presents”, a moment that marked his discovery and launch. He has been actively involved in fashion for over twenty years.
He has been teaching since 2008 at the Fashion Department at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca. He is the director of the department (from October 2022), having as main missions: “transforming passion for fashion into professional jobs” and internationalizing UAD•FASHION.
His own collections (realized between 2008-2023) and lines created for the brand irina schrotter (where he signed the artistic direction between 2011-2017) have been presented in prestigious contexts, including Romanian Fashion Week — Romanian Creative Week, Romanian Design Week, Transilvania International Film Festival — TIFF, Mercedes-Benz Berlin Fashion Week, International Fashion Showcase — London Fashion Week, MQ Vienna Fashion Week, etc. Lucian has won several important awards, including the Beau Monde “Crystal Globes” for “Debut” and “Best Designer”, the YKK and Wendy & Jim awards at Arts of Fashion, MOMA San Francisco, was nominated five times at the ELLE Style Awards Romania, “Best Designer”category, and won the trophy in 2023, etc.
In 2019 he was on the jury of the Arts of Fashion competition at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakesh, Morocco and in 2023 he curated the “Fashion” section with Julian Roberts & Mari Bendeliani at Romanian Design Week in Bucharest.
Since 2021, from the first edition of Romanian Creative Week Iași, he is involved in the Romanian Fashion Week pillar. Together with Irina Schrotter, Ovidiu Buta, Ioana Ciolacu, Alexandru Abagiu, Sorin Stratulat and with the support of the festival teams, he develops platforms for emerging designers. Together with Ioana Ciolacu, he coordinates and curates two sections: RFW Academia & RFW New Wave.
At the beginning of 2024 he made the decision to stop doing fashion/commercial projects and to stop presenting collections on the catwalk, to focus solely on visual research, history of costume, fashion theory, teaching, Fashion-Art projects and curation.
The consistency of historical perspectives, exploring the relationship between tradition and innovation, “Thinking Processes” as methods of investigating clothing, de(re)construction of shapes and volumes, mentoring as a sign of empathy — these are aspects that shape Lucian Broscățean’s professional path.
Instagram: @lucianbroscatean

Ioana Ciolacu
Ioana Ciolacu is a visionary fashion designer known for her architectural approach to silhouettes, bold use of colors and patterns, and strong commitment to sustainability. As the founder of her eponymous brand, Ioana seamlessly blends innovative design with craftsmanship, creating collections that redefine modern femininity.
Her work has been recognized internationally, showcased on runways and exhibitions in London, Berlin, Tokyo, and featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue, Vogue Brazil, Vogue Russia, Vogue Ukraine, Elle Germany, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire Germany, Glamour Germany, WWD, Dazed & Confused, Vogue Runway, and many others.
She has also been awarded by and associated with Stella McCartney, a testament to her dedication to ethical fashion. With a strong global commercial presence, the Ioana Ciolacu brand is sold worldwide, reaching a discerning audience that values creativity, individuality, and sustainability.
Beyond her own brand, Ioana plays a key role in Romanian Creative Week (RCW) / Romanian Fashion Week (RFW), working alongside Lucian Broscățean to support and mentor the next generation of designers through Academia and New Wave. Together, they create an environment that nurtures emerging talent, bridging education with the fashion industry and shaping the future of Romanian design.
Instagram: @ioanaciolacu