Feeric memories.
Feeric Fashion Week is finally back. Inside the new normal, the 13th edition of the most creative fashion week in the world, took place between July 21st and 25th in Sibiu – Romania. Feeric supports each year the artisanal works of designers, through activities such as scouting, training and international promotion since 2008.
Feeric has become a very sought-after event. Once the dream of Mitichi Preda – Feeric Fashion Week President, it has now become an international point of reference of the summer fashion shows panorama.
Feeric started, as always, with old friends from the fashion world meeting up again in the lovely city of Sibiu. All was made even more pleasant thanks to the Yolo Party, an epic opening party hosted by the Vice President of Feeric, Landiana, with this year’s main theme being “Make simplicity great again”.
A grand reunion with plenty of laughter, drinks and fashion. What could go wrong?
Backstage is always the boiler room of the machine called Feeric. A hub where designers, models, MUAs & Hair Stylists plus crew all meet up, exchange ideas, work hard and make sure they deliver a great show for the audience to enjoy. Stressful yes, but also very stimulating and rewarding to all those involved.
The presentations started with a particular show in the centre of Apoldu de Jos village, in a traditional Transylvanian atmosphere. Apoldist proposes a selection of designers with a new fashion ethic, offering customers a sustainable experience that involves discounts on collectibles in exchange for old clothes, which will later be recycled and put back into use. Apoldist wants to show off the work of selected designers with the purpose of encouraging investments in longer lasting design, making conscious choices, being wiser about the used materials, wearing clothes that matter and never refusing to reuse fashion.
The forest was the setting for the presentation of Hooldra, a responsible brand of recycled clothing items passing through the hands of artists who brought them back to life before being put up for sale again. The concept of the entire brand fits perfectly with the international message that Humane Society International wants to send: “no fur in fashion”. All the process of upcycling reflects in the end the result of Hooldra: a universe of creativity open to all. Among the contributors, Jacqueline and Mira, two creative designers who have added lots of value to the project and the final presentation.
Bennu, is a brand of luxury bags made of vegan leather, as a result of processing scraps and fruit peels. The brand brought the guests to the old centre of Sibiu, on Cetatii Street, where the catwalk that connects the Potters’ Tower with the Carpenters’ Tower, perfectly framed the attires prepared by the designer. The brand appeared after 30 years of experience in luxury bags production and it elegantly blends tradition and innovation in its designs and functionality, while moving towards a sustainable direction.
The third day of Feeric was a remarkable one as well. There were several installations which helped frame the creativity of the designers even better. From minimalistic shows to fascinating locations, Feeric transformed again the city of Sibiu in the epicentre of design. For the end of a fashionable day, we must mention the cool art of creation afterparty hosted by Aqila Atak at Symphony by the Lake. Now let’s have a look at the recap of the shows.
Well-known Romanian designer Bianca Popp opened the third day of Feeric with the presentation of ‘Inner Diva’, a secret cruise collection. Dresses that we would wear on the red carpet of our dreams, in a holiday of lust, in a cruise as an object of desire until the end of the world. Life in black and white, where white is day and black is night. Between them, a few coloured brush strokes to remind us of the real life we want to leave behind.
For the third time at Feeric Fashion Week, Ramelle presented in the medieval setting of the Goldsmiths Square, the ‘I am Unique’ collection, full of colour and harmony, with a minimalist design and architectural details transposed into feminine clothing creations. This collection is about the awakened woman, who is aware of her value, of her natural beauty and lives in a state of gratitude to everything around her. Through this collection Ramona Mihaela, the creator behind the brand, invites all women to see their uniqueness, the divine gifts they are endowed with and which they offer to the world.
AList Designers Boutique, a project initiated by AList Magazine, presented on the top floor of a building under construction, where you probably get the most beautiful panorama over the historic centre of Sibiu. AList curated this show to support Romanian designers. Respecting international trends, while maintaining a local specificity, the creations of Romanian designers address people who love fashion, art and who have the courage to reveal their spirit, supporting the innovation and talent of local producers.
The fashion shows at Feeric Fashion Week ended on Saturday with a calendar full of presentations.
An innovative and interdisciplinary platform, New Talents X Kreep Agency is focused on unconventional and aesthetic productions. Formed by creative visionaries, they presented for the third time a mix of young talent and designers of aesthetic accessories from around the world, like USA, Germany, Belgium, Egypt or Pakistan. With a key interest in the sustainable aspect of the industry, the brands presented are ethical, handmade, with a handcrafted note on each piece.
Cine Gold – Promenada Sibiu welcomed mysticism and mythology as inexhaustible sources of inspiration. This concept inspired Sethei, a lingerie brand shaped around elegant and fine design lines, precious accents, superior quality materials and with inserts with traditional motifs representing the details that identifies those collections that follow a sustainable line of appreciation of local values and resources.
One of the most acclaimed shows was the concept of the Kikimra brand, by talented designer Alexandru Floarea and inspired by the desolate image of New York during the ’70s and ’80s: characterized by an overwhelming sexual and creative energy, the gloomy world of nocturnal life and accurately reflected in the photographs of the German artist Miron Zownir. The collection allows us to venture into a space beyond what the eye can see. Although poetic, it is at the same time real enough to bother and make us wonder and reflect. No wonder he won the Instituto Europeo di Design prize and got offered a summer scholarship in Barcelona.
The last individual presentation took place in Huet Square, where the new brand BLANCHE & BROWNIE presented a playful collection, a garden collection that does not take into account age. Inspired by all the reasons to be discovered during the lock-down, it was made in strong colours with the ‘pocket’ as the main point of interest: various pockets transposed into noisy materials.
The small square of Sibiu was ready, once more, for Feeric Gala. Everybody looking amazing in their best outfits ready to enjoy a special night. The opening was made by Lily of The Valley, who celebrates femininity inspired by the beauty of nature. Using refined natural materials and embroidery in organic shades mirroring nature, the collection suggests a feeling of refinement and elegance. Each piece is adorned with a fine golden touch, like a delicate caress of the sun’s rays.
Motion collection by Olga Mihoc puts the avant-garde point at the gala. It combines contemporary styles specific to the woman’s active lifestyle with artistic and constructive-decorative lines. The garments are produced in limited series, and some are unique, created from recycled materials. The collection finds its inspiration in the dynamics of today’s society in which women associate fashion with a tool for perfect expression of their identity and not just with a shape expressed by the need to cover the body.
As accesories, Bisoulovely, a jewelry brand who give magic and wonder a physical form, is inspired by the celestial, the magical, and the fantasy. Its sources of inspiration are from both imagined worlds and natural scenic beauty, to create dreamy jewelry akin to wearable magic. Each piece is made from high quality materials as silver or gold and natural gems.
Velmoda is the concept of the designer Valentina Zeed. Creations that bring to life the sensuality, emotion and power of being a woman, using materials such as natural silk, natural silk veil, but also hand-sewn gemstones in different shapes, harmoniously combined together. Modern, romantic, sensual women, but also business women, independent, confident and ready to conquer the world.
The last show of the Gala was held by Inessa Creations, a young visionary, award winner and eco responsible Monegasque brand which is building a human connection based on the social codes by touching people from the aesthetic aspect in order to resonate inside them and build a community where everyone can share and show their true colours by being and feeling unique. ‘Monte Carlo hills’ collection englobes the wide array of Monegasque luxury fashion while renewing it and creating new codes, new values and going further establishing a straight vision for the brand: it’s all about couture and ready to wear, paintings, high-end sophisticated and metallic fabrics as well as Swarovski crystals presented in unique craftmanship pieces.
And then, during the closing speech of Mitichi, you could sense a bittersweet taste. The gala closed another memorable edition, but it also felt like that final moment of something that you would not want to end. Seeing how it continues to grow from year to year is something magical. And I’m not exaggerating when saying that Feeric has magic!
If with the mere words you could perceive at least a part of everything that Feeric represents, I would be satisfied. Meetings, alive with passion and living every day to the fullest, positive energy and good vibes, a relaxed atmosphere among personalities of the fashion industry… and of course fashion shows. Plus… emerging talents. Every time I think that the countdown for the next edition has already started it puts a smile on my face.
Feeric should be a mandatory appointment at least once in a lifetime for every person in the industry. Observe first-hand the talent, the synergies that are created between attendees, international friendship ties and doors opened to this vast world that is fashion. What more could you want?
Feeric is opportunity. Feeric is Talent. Feeric is the 360º Fashion.
Written by Alejandro D Lomas