From May 14 to 25, the capital of historic Moldova became a platform for hundreds of events, including fashion shows, exhibitions, art installations, educational panels and project presentations. This year RCW gathered more than 1.5 thousand participants from 15 countries, and 40 designers presented their collections in the Romanian Fashion Week program. Among them were representatives from Moldova, whose participation was an important step in promoting national design on the international arena.
RCW has been organized since 2021 and in a short time has managed to gain the status of one of the most influential festivals of creative industries in the region. Its mission is to bring together designers, architects, artists, start-ups and researchers in a single space where ideas take shape and culture is dialogued.
The festival consists of several strands: Romanian Fashion Week, Visual Arts Platform, Innovation & Digital, Architecture & Design, Performing Arts and others. RCW has become an important point of attraction for young designers and entrepreneurs, as well as an effective platform for establishing professional connections and entering the international market.
Within the framework of Romanian Fashion Week three brands from Moldova presented their collections: Sannat and Caravasili, as well as students of the Faculty of Design of the Technical University of Moldova. Each of them showed an individual approach to the theme of the collection, work with materials and forms – from conceptual exploration of identity to rethinking the image of a modern woman.
The Sannat brand presented the Out of Roots collection, which became part of the fall season. The designer described it as a visual exploration of the state of losing one’s roots and searching for personal identity. “The collection reflects the inner conflict between a sense of belonging to a homeland and emotional detachment. I used fabrics reminiscent of the natural textures of Moldova – green wool is associated with moss, beige and gray fabrics with hills,” notes the designer. Participation in RCW was the first international experience for the brand, which opened up opportunities for professional growth: there were offers of shoots and new contacts.
Caravasili brand presented a collection dedicated to the image of a modern woman and her strength. “Each model is an answer to the questions: who am I today and how do I express my strength? A woman can be spontaneous or restrained, and clothes in this case become either armor or a way of liberation,” says the designer. The collection is inspired by the image of femme fatale and reveals different forms of female energy, from vulnerability to determination.
The team also appreciated the festival’s opportunities: “RCW is not only a show, but also a space for real meetings. We met Romanian stylists and discussed potential collaborations. Such events form a community and give support to young brands, which is especially important in today’s environment”.
The participation of Moldovan designers in Romanian Creative Week 2025 demonstrates that local fashion is increasingly moving beyond the country’s borders and resonating in the international professional environment. At a time when interest in local identity and sustainable production is growing worldwide, support for emerging designers becomes especially important.
