Seams & Chronicles
A glimpse inside the work and inspirations of a fashion designer and artist
I first started to cooperate with bridal and lifestyle photographer Elena Azzalini in 2015, I love her clean and crisp style and I am delighted that this year offered us the opportunity to cooperate in numerous occasions.
In November, we joined our creative skills and organised a little photoshoot for this year's Christmas & New Year card.
One year ago, on this day, I opened my little store – a place that I adore and cherish. Although not expected, this year was very similar to the first year of my original atelier, 2006. Regardless of all the years of consistent work, investment, learning and building up my label, it all came down to redoing everything from the start.
I’ve set up my online store about three years ago, as a digital showroom for a group of customers that didn’t have the time to frequently visit my showroom or atelier but were interested to see and buy my work. I didn’t advertise it, and when I opened my brick and mortar shop, I placed it on hold as some designs were selling before having the chance to be photographed and uploaded into the online space.
In the new shopping climate as many work from home or simply don’t feel like going on a physical shopping spree and the genuine request, and appreciation for quality and locally made products increased,
The fragrance "Le Cri de la Lumière" by Parfum d’Empire was my inspiration for a photo shoot concept, that I've developed to document a couture ensemble, that I designed for Mode Wien and Hofburg Palace. My desire was to expand on a classic couture aesthetic and a sense of drama, by infusing it with a soft, celestial expression.
I was born in Romania and I live in Austria since 18 years. I used to be a shy, introvert child. Started to develop stuttering after my mother was beaten up in a racist attack. The condition disappeared after some years but the scars and childhood memories remained part of my identity (equally as much, all the little miracles and love that I received). I don't like to talk or write about sensitive, painful matters but the past days have been heavy.
Last Wednesday, my shop was visited by friends, press, customers, colleagues and neighbours to have a closer look at Maria Christina's bridal ensemble, created in partnership with Albertina Museum. I was overjoyed to welcome everyone and I took all the measures to make my guests feel at ease and safe given the current state. The door was first opened at 10:30am and closed at 9pm, we were not more than 6 - 7 people at once from a total of 25... hands were washed, laughs and cheers were not spared.
I opened my store almost two months ago and shortly before that, I decided to not host an official opening event as I wanted to meet & greet everyone personally in a calm setting. I am so happy that this idea worked out so well! I fully enjoyed each visit, especially your genuine interest in my work and all your energy, compliments and joy when you found something that you love!
The idea of opening a store came from the desire of having a unique space where I can display my work, sell it first hand and meet my customers on a well coordinated schedule. It took me four months of constant search and about as double the amount of time to organize all the tiny details that makes a store functional, inviting and unique. From the moment I first entered in this space, I simply knew that it's the ideal one for me and all my designs: the casual line The Garden Suite, the formal line Pearl's Orangery, the bridal dresses from The Gentle Flowers and The Golden Fairies line and the accessories (hair adornments, jewelry and handbags).
I kept this set of portraits in my goodies "box" for a few months now. I like them so much, that I wanted to find the right time to share them with you! After a busy summer and start of autumn, looking at these photos now, I feel an influx of blooming scents and charm <3
Last Sunday evening, on the 15th of September 2019, I presented a selection of 20 outfits in front of an amazing audience during Vienna Fashion Week. As some of you already know, my label offers three "occasion lines" (casual, formal & bridal); for this presentation I picked two bridal dresses and an array of designs from the Pearl's Orangery formal line. Some outfits were adorned with headpieces (created by me as well) and jewelry created by one of the most beautiful jewelry designers that I know, Leonie Galen.
Tailoring, custom dressmaking, pattern making and sewing are basic aspects of constructing clothes. Knowing the types of textile fibers, their structure and composition and the working tools is mandatory. Fashion design is a distinct but interconnected profession. I studied fashion design and pursue it since almost 14 years as a primary profession; in parallel, along the years, I’ve learned from different sources the complete process from sketch to finished garment. During my hiatus two years ago, I decided that I would like to achieve more and get a degree in master tailoring.
Our beautiful Spring Salon lasted three days, the first of them being dedicated to the press guests. We, Mascha Lina Borodin, Jeannette-Renée Mang and myself found a few moments of calm before welcoming the first guests and wonderful lifestyle photographer Tanja Hofer took the occasion to capture candid shots of the general atmosphere.
Last Autumn, I was contacted by my friend and colleague, event planner Jeannette-Renée Mang with the tempting proposal to organize together with costume jewelry designer Mascha Lina Borodin, an event celebrating the International Women's Day by presenting a selection of our craft and art.
Jeannette is the creative soul and manager behind Bellas Vienna, a small, exclusive shoes label selling handcrafted Italian mules. The Spring Salon event marks the label's official launch and I feel proud that I have the chance to join such a special anniversary. Mascha Lina creates since 2012 luxury costume jewelry, with a focus on earrings. I love her designs and creative capacity, she is absolutely fascinating.
The Spring Salon will offer me the opportunity to show you a selection of my leather handbags, dresses and hair adornments designs - a curated assortment of pieces that I adore.
Dr. George Severeanu Museum, located in a 19th century palazzino, is the former residence of doctor George Severeanu (1879 - 1939) and his wife Maria.
I’ve discovered this gem during a museum spree in my hometown, Bucharest, on May 10th, 2018. On that day, I took the occasion, during “The Long Night of Museums”, to visit five small museums, each of them providing me with inspiration and enriching my perspective, be it artistically, culturally or educationally.
“Slow Living Hungary” is a non-governmental organization with the fundamental mission to strengthen and spread the value-based way of thinking in the pulsating everyday life of modern people. It is focusing on four main areas: Slow Travel, Slow Art and Culture, Slow Food Movement and Farm & Urban Life. When the invitation arrived, through my friend Silia, to attend one of their events, I was absolutely thrilled as I am a fond and true believer in the value of having a slower life in all aspects.
Julia von Bohem (née Julia Spidusova) first e-mailed me end of June last year with just a question and warm regards, being interested if I am looking for models. I usually get collaboration requests by models, photographers, fashion interns, make-up artists quite frequently, so I wasn't surprised. I asked her for some recent photos and I loved to discover that she is an artist - always a strong inspiration to my work. We scheduled a fitting for autumn, after my sabbatical break, and from then on I started to put together a photo shoot concept that would best depict her charm & joy wearing my designs and her classical piano playing. I chose dresses and headpieces that would bring an unexpected relaxed air, not losing the classic spirit that I so much adore.
A couple of days ago I've received, with a lot of enthusiasm, the November issue of World Traveller magazine, featuring Vienna, for which I was interviewed at the recommendation of Silia Eleftheriadou, the lovely photographer and blogger behind theviennesegirl.com.
World Traveller magazine was launched in 2005 and is part of HOT Media Publishing. It is the Middle East’s biggest and best source of travel inspiration, it enjoys unique, independently audited distribution to the region's most frequent travelers, including those in Saudi Arabia. It focuses on luxury travel, with tips, holiday ideas and in-depth destination features written for those with a sense of adventure.
I like to see my 2018 as obtaining, in one time-frame, all the key puzzle pieces that I prayed for, worked hard for, hoped and dreamed for since about seven years ago. Before that time, I subconsciously channeled my energy into learning, discovering, growing, exploring, building up the person that would one day reach the clarity and maturity to ask from God, from life, everything that I received today. 2019 will be a year of appreciation and, equally important, carefully putting all the puzzle pieces together in the frame. A structure that will define not only my future years, but my existence.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure to be invited by my creative friend Izabella Petrut to visit her during Schmuck Skulptur event organized at Nordbahnhalle. I loved to see, admire and closely feel jewellery designs of 20 selected local artists such Elisabeth Habig, Konstanze Prechtl, Verena Krems or mysouldesign.
“Pearl” is part of my line “Pearl’s Orangery”, which I slowly started to develop over the last year. It features formal and semi-formal occasion attire designed for fresh autumn and spring months. The result represents my personal artistic interpretation of a fusion of the contemporary Scandinavian “Hygge” approach and the neo-classical Gustavian style, both of which I am equally inspired by since many years.
The first impression that almost everyone has, is that this spring I created a wedding gown for one of the customers recommended by one of the best wedding planners in Salzburg, Austria. And every time, there is a wow effect when they find out that I actually designed the dress FOR the wedding planner.
A ten day escape to Gozo Island was exactly what I needed, after an insanely intense work schedule before and during the Fashion Week. Malta welcomed us with everything we knew it will offer and were longing for: a warm salty breeze, solar energy, beautiful country and sea side views, calmness.
The Fashion Week ended four days ago and while I am sitting on our holiday garden suite’s terrace, I fondly recollect images and impressions from a week full of high spirits, new & familiar faces, lots of talks, fashion and design.
"I am the fruit of my journey more than of my roots" Michèle Francillon, Itinerary
Sabbatical or a sabbatical (from Hebrew: shabbat (שבת) (i.e., Sabbath), in Latin: sabbaticus, in Greek: sabbatikos (σαββατικός), literally a “ceasing") is a rest from work, or a break, often lasting from one month to a year.
My 2020 has been a year of discipline, improvement, surprises and awareness. I summed up all the positive aspects that happened to me personally and professionally and I will look back with pleasure, pride and peace – the best side of what my 2020 also represented. Putting losses, disappointments and heartache aside.