Traditional Mask-inspired Sustainable Fashion Collection

Lessons learned from the 3^rd iteration of the Romanian Pilot

Aura Mihai, Antonela Curteza, Ramona Budeanu and Dorin Ionesi, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi with the support of REGINNOVA

Romanian traditional masks reinterpreted by TUIASI students at Romanian Fashion Week

On 23 May 2026, during Romanian Fashion Week, students and PhD candidates from the Faculty of Industrial Design and Business Management of the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) presented a fashion collection inspired by Romanian traditional masks. The collection represents an approach that valorises cultural heritage through contemporary design and sustainable innovation.

The collection continues the research and creative direction developed within the European project CRAFT-IT4SD – Craft Revitalization Action for Future-proofing the Transition to Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Development, which promotes the integration of traditions, craft techniques, and emerging technologies into creative processes dedicated to sustainable development within the cultural and creative industries.

The collection was developed in collaboration with specialists from the Reginnova NE Association and Katty Fashion, bringing together academic expertise and the experience of professionals in design, manufacturing, and the creative industries. The realisation and presentation of the collection at Romanian Fashion Week were made possible through the support of Irina Schrotter, as well as the contribution of Papucei and Nicolis Prod.

TUIASI Academia Collection. Designers: Diana Ariton, Diana Budău, Theona Chelariu, Radu Firicel, Petrea Gabriela, Raluca Lupu, Elena Secară, and Iuliana Streba. Photo credit: Romanian Creative Week (RCW) 2026 and @danielbulat

Under the supervision of professors Antonela Curteza, Aura Mihai, and Ramona Budeanu, the works created by Diana Ariton, Diana Budău, Theona Chelariu, Radu Firicel, Petrea Gabriela, Raluca Lupu, Elena Secară, and Iuliana Streba offer a contemporary reinterpretation of Romanian traditional masks, viewed as symbols of tradition, identity, and cultural memory. Through volumes, textures, and artistic interventions, the collection reimagines the expressive qualities of archaic forms within a contemporary fashion language situated at the intersection of art, design, and cultural heritage.

The garments were created using felting techniques, which enabled the development of surfaces characterised by organic textures and sculptural volumes. The collection was complemented by 3D-printed accessories, establishing a dialogue between traditional textile craftsmanship and digital manufacturing technologies.

Through their participation in Romanian Fashion Week 2026, TUIASI students and doctoral researchers presented a contemporary perspective on Romanian cultural heritage, in which the traditional mask serves as a visual research source and a contemporary fashion expression.

The development of the mask-inspired fashion collection was a complex, multidisciplinary process that successfully brought together cultural heritage, sustainability, craftsmanship, and emerging technologies in a contemporary fashion design context. The project demonstrated the potential of traditional Romanian cultural elements to inspire innovative fashion products while preserving their symbolic and cultural significance.

One of the most important achievements of the project was the successful reinterpretation of Romanian traditional masks through a contemporary fashion language. Starting from extensive cultural research, participants explored the symbolic meanings, forms, textures, and visual characteristics of traditional masks and transformed them into modern garments and accessories. Rather than reproducing traditional artefacts, the designers sought to capture their essence and translate it into contemporary design solutions. As a result, the collection established a meaningful dialogue between tradition and innovation, demonstrating that cultural heritage can serve as a valuable resource for creative development.

Sustainability played a central role throughout the entire design process. The use of deadstock fabrics, reclaimed materials, handcrafted techniques, and locally available resources encouraged participants to adopt more responsible and resource-efficient design practices. Working with limited and unconventional materials often required designers to adapt their original concepts, stimulating creativity and encouraging innovative problem-solving approaches. The experience reinforced the understanding that sustainability should not be viewed as a constraint but rather as an integral part of the design process capable of generating unique and meaningful outcomes.

The project also contributed significantly to the appreciation and revitalisation of traditional craft techniques. Through felting workshops, surface manipulation experiments, and studies of traditional mask-making practices, participants acquired practical skills while exploring the creative potential of handcrafted processes. These activities demonstrated that craft techniques continue to offer valuable opportunities for innovation in contemporary fashion, particularly by enabling the creation of distinctive textures, material effects, and visual identities. The integration of handcrafted elements became one of the defining features of the collection, strengthening its connection to local cultural heritage.

At the same time, the project highlighted the opportunities offered by digital technologies in fashion design. AI-assisted visualisation tools supported concept development and facilitated the evaluation of design alternatives before physical production. Additive manufacturing technologies were successfully applied in the development of innovative accessories, allowing participants to explore new forms, structures, and production methods. The experience demonstrated that digital technologies and traditional craftsmanship are not opposing approaches but complementary tools that can enrich the design process and expand creative possibilities.

Collaboration was another key factor in the project’s success. The collection was developed through the active involvement of students, academic staff, researchers, craftspeople, and industry partners, creating a highly collaborative learning environment. This interdisciplinary approach facilitated knowledge exchange, encouraged experimentation, and exposed participants to professional practices within the fashion industry. The project provided valuable opportunities for teamwork, communication, project management, and problem-solving, contributing significantly to participants’ personal and professional development.

Throughout the development process, several challenges were encountered, including interpreting cultural references in a contemporary context, sourcing suitable sustainable materials, integrating handcrafted and digital elements, and coordinating production activities within a limited timeframe. However, these challenges became valuable learning opportunities that encouraged flexibility, adaptability, and critical thinking. Participants learned to balance creative ambitions with technical feasibility, material availability, and production requirements, gaining a deeper understanding of the realities of contemporary fashion development.

The presentation of the collection at Romanian Creative Week 2026 represented the culmination of this extensive design and production process. The final outcome successfully showcased the integration of cultural heritage, sustainable materials, traditional craftsmanship, artificial intelligence, and additive manufacturing technologies within a coherent and innovative fashion collection. The public presentation provided visibility for the participants’ work and demonstrated the relevance of interdisciplinary approaches within fashion education and creative practice.

Enjoy the entire collection presented at Romanian Fashion Week at this link!

Acknowledgements:

Companies:

Katty Fashion
irina schrotter
Papucei
Nicolis Prod

Romanian Creative Week (RCW) 2026 #RomanianFashionWeek #RomanianFashionWeek2026 #rfw #romaniancreativeweek

Makeup & Hairstyle: Alexandru Abagiu | Sorin Stratulat

Photo credit: @ralucaciornea and @danielbulat

Reference:

https://craft-it4sd.eu/