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„We are actually at that point again, not unlike the disruptive ‘90s, when the industry must reckon with the newer beliefs and values if it wants to stay relevant. The question is whether the corporate executives who make many of the decisions about fashion will have the nerve and know-how to spot such a talent and then help bring that individual along. It could change the world again.”
Cathy Horyn – The Cut (credit: https://www.thecut.com/article/fashion-world-talent-problem.html)
„I want to see somebody who’s actually made clothes. If you want to do something original, fashion is very personal. What I really, really look for is designers who live it, who design clothes that have no division between what they design and who they are or how they dress.”
Sarah Mower – 1Granary (credit: https://1granary.com/interviews/critics/sarah-mower-woman-on-a-mission/)
RFW, one of the pillars of ROMANIAN CREATIVE WEEK festival, has set itself the goal for the 2025 anniversary edition to build on what it has built over more than 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 Academy is the name of the section focused on the projects of BA, MA & PhD students from the six invited institutions. The fundamental mission of RFW New Wave is to discover, mentor, support and promote young designers working in the fashion world. RFW appreciates, encourages and supports young designers who have been entering the fashion industry for 25 years. Innovative ideas, personal visions, current aesthetics, design revolutions, reinterpretations, out-of-the-ordinary approaches, cultural references are all seen through the eyes and hands of the future creators of the fashion industry. The four aesthetic directions the collections fall into are Game-Changer, Neo-avant-garde, Upcycling/Sustainability/Responsible Design, Conceptual Fashion.
The RFW NEW WAVE jury is composed of Alexandru Abagiu, Lucian Broscățean, Ovidiu Buta, Ioana Ciolacu, Sorin Stratulat.
On Saturday, May 24th 2025, the collections of the RFW New Wave Call-for-Projects winners will be presented, as well as the collections of the designers in the curated selection.
The curators and coordinators of the RFW New Wave section are Lucian Broscățean & Ioana Ciolacu.
Curatorial Selection

CARAVASILI
CARAVASILI carries forward a family tradition where, for three generations, a passion for tailoring and fashion has been passed down with care, dedication, and expertise.
Young designer Corina Caravasili’s journey is rooted in a deep respect for quality and timeless elegance. This philosophy is reflected in every piece, crafted in a demi-couture manner, made-to-measure for each client, offering a true appreciation of a garment’s value.
CARAVASILI brings a bold yet refined approach to outerwear, balancing sophistication with a fresh, contemporary edge. Always pushing boundaries, the brand redefines elegance with a dynamic and forward-thinking perspective.
Our mission is to offer a transformative experience to our clients. We don’t aim to simply add clothes to a wardrobe. Through carefully designed cuts, we seek to inspire confidence, strength, and determination, adding value to every piece we create. Our goal is not just about dressing the body—it’s about shaping an attitude.
Sustainability is one of CARAVASILI’s core values. We believe in responsible fashion—one that honors the craftsmanship behind every creation and ensures each piece stands the test of time. That’s why we embrace made-to-measure, work exclusively with natural materials designed for longevity, and produce only ultra-limited editions or unique pieces. In our vision, fashion should be personal, almost intimate, adding true value to the wearer. This is how fashion becomes truly responsible.
Instagram: @_caravalisi_

CONSTANTINE
CONSTANTINE is a Romanian brand that draws its inspiration from the raw energy and audacity of the ‘80s punk scene—a time when rebellion and self-expression collided. We channel the power of this era, combining its bold, anarchic spirit with modern design.
Our aesthetic is rooted in deconstruction, where the boundaries of traditional fashion are pushed, torn, and redefined. Every piece we create carries the essence of the past while looking toward the future, embracing the eclectic mix of fabrics, shapes, and cutting-edge design techniques that define our work.
Every design is custom-made, and the creative process is deeply collaborative. Our clients are integral to the journey, actively involved in shaping their garments, ensuring that each creation is a true reflection of their unique personality.
We believe in craftsmanship and individuality, with impeccable attention to detail that elevates every piece. By upcycling high-quality fabrics, we breathe new life into these materials, creating designs that are as sustainable as they are striking. Our commitment to authenticity means that no two garments are alike, and each one tells its own story.
The CONSTANTINE brand is also built on inclusivity, celebrating the diverse spectrum of individuals who choose to wear our designs. From drag queens to musicians, actors, dancers, and beyond, we pride ourselves on empowering people from all walks of life to express themselves boldly and authentically. Our pieces transcend gender, identity, and profession, offering a platform for those who dare to stand out and break boundaries. Whether on stage, in the studio, or as part of everyday life, our garments are designed to make a statement, empower creativity, and embrace all forms of individuality.
Instagram: @dragos.constantine

DANIEL RADU
Under the creative direction of Daniel Radu, the eponymous brand was founded two years ago. Its aesthetic is a refined combination of innovation, functionality, and contemporary direction. By blending sportswear elements with modern elegance, the brand successfully delivers clothing pieces that cater to the needs and aspirations of 21st-century individuals, redefining the standards of Romanian fashion.
Daniel Radu, a graduate and master’s student of the Fashion Department at the National University of Arts Bucharest, has developed a deep passion for fashion design. Throughout his creative process, he has experimented with patterns and tailoring techniques, reaching a point where he intentionally breaks traditional rules to create unique garments. This approach reflects his desire to push conventional boundaries and offer a fresh perspective on fashion.
In a world where the pace of life is becoming increasingly fast, Daniel Radu meets everyday challenges with collections designed for an active lifestyle. Each piece is created to provide comfort and functionality without compromising aesthetics. Carefully selected materials, such as lycra and cotton, ensure flexibility and durability, while the innovative design allows for seamless transitions between different settings, from sports activities to formal events.
Instagram: @danielradu.visual

HAMZA
HAMZA is not about clothing; it’s about how you feel wearing it. It’s about the silence that speaks louder than noise, the failure that opens new paths, the moments when presence is everything.
Each piece holds an intention—a state of mind, a memory, a thought. The lines are simple, yet full of meaning. The materials aren’t chosen for a season, but for time. Nothing is random.
We don’t chase trends, we don’t mass-produce, and we don’t rush the process. Each collection is a story, and those who feel it become part of it.
HAMZA is not about showing. It’s about being.
Instagram: @atelier.hamza

IONUȚ RĂZVAN
Ionuț Răzvan is the creative director of the eponymous brand and a graduate of the University of Arts in Bucharest, Fashion Design department. He made his runway debut at Romanian Fashion Week 2024 with the collection “the shirt you left me”, a highly acclaimed project that secured his return for the 2025 edition.
Through his creations, he aims to evoke emotions, construct visual narratives in the minds of viewers, and bring theatricality and drama to Romanian fashion. For him, each collection is akin to poetry, and the creative process is a profound act of reflection, much like a poet composing verses.
His approach incorporates elements of deconstructivism translated into modern cuts, shaping innovative silhouettes that challenge traditional aesthetic conventions.
Ionuț Răzvan believes that fashion should be more than just a commercial product—it should tell a story and spark discussions about meaningful topics. Pop culture is a primary source of inspiration for Ionuț Răzvan, and he has successfully collaborated with artists such as Antonia, Delia, Theo Rose, EMAA, MIRA, Erika Isac, Stefania, and Jo.
Instagram: @ionutrazvan_

RAMONA BIZBAC
“Ramona Bizbac” is a Romanian fashion brand founded by the designer of the same name, distinguished by its dedication to the slow fashion concept.
With a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in fashion design from the National University of Arts in Bucharest, Ramona has shaped her vision of fashion, focusing on natural materials, artisanal techniques, and a timeless style.
The brand emphasizes the use of high-quality natural fabrics, ensuring both comfort and durability for each garment.
Inspired by childhood memories, the diversity of textures, and traditional crafts, she began developing her first collections, exploring not only fine fabrics but also unconventional materials such as wood and glass, integrated into accessories.
The collections are characterized by a sophisticated aesthetic, blending elegance and refinement with contemporary design. Each piece is created with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting the brand’s commitment to sustainability and timelessness.
Instagram: @ramona_bizbac

ROBERT ROCA
Robert Roca is an emerging Romanian designer, a graduate of the National University of Arts in Bucharest, known for his distinctive style and fluid approach to men’s fashion. In his graduation collection, Himeros, he explores human beauty beyond gender boundaries, blending both masculine and feminine elements.
Robert’s next collection will mark a radical departure from his first collection, presented in 2024 at Romanian Fashion Week. While his debut stood out for its fluid aesthetic and bright color palette, the new collection will take a much darker direction, both visually and conceptually.
This collection will bring to the forefront a deeply personal theme for Robert, one that has fascinated him since childhood.
Through this shift in direction, he aims not only to expand his creative horizons but also to convey a powerful emotion, exploring the contrasts between light and darkness, dream and reality. The new collection will be an invitation into a mysterious world, where each garment tells a profound and personal story, revealing another facet of his artistic vision.
Instagram: @robertrocaa

THE CABIN
THE CABIN is a brand driven by two visionary creators, united by their desire to transform refined aesthetics into a manifesto of balance between the classic and the unexpected. In their universe, the bow tie is not just an accessory but a symbolic element that transcends the boundaries between masculine and feminine, giving each piece a unique character.
The new collection explores the idea of responsibility in fashion, emphasizing sustainable materials and a design that surpasses fleeting trends. The color palette—white, beige, and black—metaphorically reflects the life cycle of a garment, from creation to its disappearance under the pressure of consumerism. Through this vision, THE CABIN proposes a timeless aesthetic, where precise tailoring and subtle deconstruction become a means of expression.
Instagram: @enterthecabin

VICTORIA RUSU
Rusu Victoria is a young designer from the Republic of Moldova, currently pursuing a master’s degree at the West University of Timișoara. She is the creator of KIWAKULT, a brand that embraces sustainability and individuality. Her debut collection, “ARTIFACT,” was launched as part of her undergraduate program at the Faculty of Arts and Design in Timișoara.
Dedicated to those who form deep connections with their belongings, the collection is inspired by the “bag-for-bags” syndrome—our tendency to accumulate objects. Each piece is crafted from repurposed materials, vintage or broken jewelry, and deadstock fabrics, weaving together wearable stories with historical significance. “ARTIFACT” is a fully sustainable project that reclaims discarded materials and appreciates their hidden value.
KIWAKULT continues to champion sustainability by creating 100% upcycled garments—each one unique, with an unrepeatable texture and color composition.
Instagram: @kiwakult
Curators

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