The second FEEL THE EARTH collection continues the legacy of working closely with craftsmen from Maramures, Transylvania, whilst introducing modern and authentic cultural designs, including a new line of fine jewellery, both featuring Lily of the Valley, 'Lacramioare' in Romanian, as its main motif.
O nouă conștiință umană, în armonie cu Pământul, perceput ca o ființă vie, este viziunea, dar și manifestul colecției MA-RA-MI pentru 2021.
Our new collection is dedicated to the powerful, yet soft and vulnerable women. The ones who are not afraid to speak their minds, who work hard every day to be a better version of themselves. The business women, the mothers, the daughters, the rebel souls, the women who enjoy every moment of their lives. The brave ones. The unfearful. We recognize you!
We embarked on a journey of authenticity where we can connect to our ancestors and rediscover the beauty of the simple things.
Our craftsmen from Maramureș taught us all the secrets they learned from their parents and their grandparents. What comes from their hands is pure magic, a real work of art created with love, passion and patience.
A wool journey: from fashion design to art installation
MA RA MI continues its mission to promote Romanian authentic design with a new project - “A wool journey: from fashion design to art installation”. Andra Clițan creates a collection based exclusively on wool, working closely with craftsmen from Maramureș.
The project, which started at the beginning of 2019, has two main objectives: to create a collection using natural fabrics as wool, adding traditional motifs and inspiration from different parts of Romania, and to document the entire process of processing wool, creating an art installation that follows this journey.
The first step was to create the sketches of the future pieces of the collection, followed by the close collaboration with each craftsman in order to choose the fabrics. The next stage implied the actual manufacturing of the garments, documenting the entire journey of wool processing and the photo shooting. The final step is represented by the art installation, which will include both the fashion collection and the photo-video documentation elements made during the project. In the space dedicated to the art installation there will be a conference on smart textiles and new trends in sustainable fashion, with international guests.
The art installation, that will include the pieces of the collection and the documentation of the entire process, will be exhibited from October 27 to November 10, 2019.
MaRaMi takes you on a journey back in time when simplicity was the most important aspect of life. Our ancestors used natural fabrics, like wool, to create beautiful pieces of clothing - functional, comfortable and easy to wear.
A year ago, beginning of February 2015, Abu Dhabi: the most important festival celebrating Emirati culture is gathering early what is most representative for this country in terms of art, crafts, food, traditions, architecture and many others.
Absorbing and getting inspired from all the events scheduled during Qasr al Hosn Festival, simply to highlight to the world how important ones culture is, through all its aspects.
Once upon a time, when MA RA MI was just a dream, the Romanian traditional elements crafted by local artisans where used for a one of a kind "couture" collection - signed by Philippe Guilet in 2011/2012 for 100%.RO project. Back then Andra Clitan, the founder of MA RA MI, was the Studio Director for this great project, and one of her most important duties was to give consultancy on Romanian traditional art and crafts.
100%.RO was a unique project that inspired many people, not just the team and the public, but also the craftsmen from different areas in Romania, showing them that their work is highly appreciated and can be the fundament of an exquisite haute couture collection.
I feel a bit nostalgic these days, therefore I will treat you with a special story from my previous life. The life before coming to live in Far and Middle East.
It was the spring of 2011, and together with other four European designers we visited Armenia, meeting the four selected Armenian designers to be our pairs in a EUNIC/unique project: “Fashion Road: Dialogue across Borders”.
And the adventure started. From the Paradjanov Museum to the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran), from the Armenian Genocide Museum to the ancient churches such as Etchmiadzin Cathedral, everywhere you look you find something extraordinary – under a very ordinary appearance.
From tasting Ararat brandy to enjoying the delicious different fruits in chocolate, but nevertheless savoring the impressive healthy Armenian cuisine, all this trip was a delight for the senses.
What about our exploratory trip for fashion purposes? Here I let my pics to tell the story. Vivid in my memory like it happened yesterday...
It’s time to touch and feel the textures!
Starting this October, you can even try on the MA RA MI designs, if you visit the newly opened Molecule F concept store, in Promenada Mall, Bucharest.
My latest collection but also a few pieces from my previous ones are ready to be discovered by you.
And if you aren’t in Bucharest, don’t forget you can always buy something special from MA RA MI online shop.
Some pics from the opening last evening – great people, tasteful clothes, electric atmosphere. And no sleep before my flight back to Abu Dhabi!