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.
"A Romanian designer with multiple interesting collections. Three young creatives from the accessories sector. An authentic capsule collection, filled with traditional motifs made by craftsman. These are the details of the IDentity collection, Andra Clitan's new project, the founder and designer of MA RA MI".
This is how the interview played out.
We not only explore stories and places, but also fabrics, old and new sustainable textiles. In this collection we used wool felt, silk, velvet, merinos spun wool and mohair, making one of a kind pieces made together with craftsman from Maramures county. This exploration was possible through a grant offered by the Romanian Ministry of Culture.
For the IDentity collection we worked closely with several craftsmen from Maramures, Transylvania. From fabrics, to working techniques and accessories, we tried to embed these elements and reframe them in a modern design. The collection is about people, their national costumes and beautiful traditions, about amazing places and stronger communities.
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!
The International Textile Fair Dubai 2015 is an excellent place to meet professionals in fashion - this year's edition was a great selection of people, trends and topics.
I had the chance to attend this event as a speaker, presenting my work as a true showcase of multicultural diversity: a glimpse of Transylvanian crafts in the Middle East.
It is more and more obvious for everybody that MA RA MI is rather an international brand than simply a Romanian oriented one.