TRANSILVANIA FASHION FESTIVAL 2023

ESPLANADE OF THE URBAN CULTURE CENTER CASINO, CLUJ-NAPOCA
SEPTEMBER 08, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

Cluj-Napoca, September 13, 2023

The 2023 edition of the Transilvania Fashion International Festival – powered by Banca Transilvania concluded on Sunday after three vibrant days of creative exuberance that confirmed Cluj’s position at the forefront of European fashion.

The third edition of the Transilvania Fashion Festival (FTF) took place in Cluj-Napoca between September 8–10, 2023, in collaboration with the European Fashion Council (EFC) and FashionTV. Part of a series of galas dedicated to showcasing and rewarding excellence in fashion — organized by the Pro Transilvania Cultural Association and Dr. Matei Miko for over 30 years — the festival was designed to enhance the visibility of the participating designers’ creativity on the European stage.

Over three days, more than 60 models walked the spectacular catwalk on the Esplanade of the Urban Culture Center Casino, showcasing the creations of 43 designers invited to the 2023 edition of FTF.

“The appreciation received by the Transilvania Fashion Festival was a tribute to established creators and a positive boost for emerging designers. I am glad we can help strengthen international communication of fashion talent and creativity through the Transilvania Fashion International Festival,”
— Dr. Matei Miko, President of FTF

Nadya Valeva, President of the European Fashion Council, attended the event in Cluj and praised the festival’s artistic and technical level:

“I’ve witnessed a very well-organized fashion event. Congratulations to the organizers! It meets all the policies promoted by the European Fashion Council. The Transilvania Fashion Festival in Cluj has reached the artistic and technical standards of major international fashion events and competitions. I propose we now move to a more spectacular stage across the 28 member countries of the European Fashion Council, transforming it into a global format with strong innovative forces, more competitive elements, and spectacular showcases.”

Anca Bălan, Executive President of the European Fashion Council, emphasized the creativity and quality of the collections presented by young Romanian designers:

“The combined efforts of the organizers and designers — literally under the spotlight for three days — created a show of the highest artistic level. Young graduates of art universities from Romania and the Republic of Moldova shone brightly, being praised by our esteemed guests as outperforming their peers from other strong European countries. Congratulations to the professors who shaped them!”

She also reiterated her commitment to supporting the mobility and visibility of young designers at European fashion festivals.

“Moda cum Laude” 2023 Trophy Winners

On Saturday evening, at the Gala of Laureates, the organizers presented the “Moda cum Laude” trophies, traditionally awarded to outstanding personalities in the world of fashion whose vision, creativity, and work have made essential contributions to the development of the industry.

The 2023 trophies were awarded to:

Designer Oana Livia Badea
The National University of Arts Bucharest (celebrating 50 years of creative existence)
Designer Aidarkhan Kaliyev (Kazakhstan)

Since its first edition in 2011, the trophy has honored major fashion figures including Elena Basso-Stănescu, Zina Dumitrescu, Gai Mattiolo, Cătălin Botezatu, Doina Levintza, Lucian Broscățean, Liana Martin, Matei Miko, Adina Nanu, Unda Popp, Alin Gălățescu, Mia Poruțiu, Liborio Capizzi, and Kinga Varga.

Designers from 10 Countries at FTF 2023

This year, designers from 10 countries participated in the festival. Alongside Romanian designers, the international section featured creators from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Republic of Moldova, Hungary, Czech Republic, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Kazakhstan.

Romanian designers included: Kinga Varga, Paul Palm, Daiana Nealcoș, Cristina Lazăr, Mihaela Hanches, Tudor Halatiu, Oana Livia Badea, Inga Bragaru, Raluca Soare, Luminița Balazs, Mihnea Covaci, Anca Manea, Ioana Degău, Tessuto – Adrian Iliescu, Daniel Gorban, Alexandra Constantinescu, Raul Matiș, Mara Popa, and Renata Mihaly.

International guests included: Angelika Hirschler and Vincenzo Merli – Maison Fürstenberg (special guests), Monica Grüber, ORHA, Josephine Cosonatto, Carmichael A. Byfield – House of Byfield, Kárpáti Rebeka – KINDA Clothing, Milica Trickovic, Monika Pizur, Aidarkhan Kaliyev, and Galina Ivanova.

University Section

The academic segment featured seven prestigious art universities from Romania and the Republic of Moldova:

University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca
National University of Arts Bucharest
“George Enescu” National University of Arts Iași
Faculty of Arts and Design, West University of Timișoara
Faculty of Arts, University of Oradea
Faculty of Design, “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad
Faculty of Design, Technical University of Chișinău (Republic of Moldova)

A jury led by Prof. Dr. Elena Basso Stănescu selected five collections from over 100 submissions. Vanesa Ursu, Ioana Georgescu, Andreea Haidu, C’est Cher, and Maria Comisaru presented their creations on the FTF 2023 runway, confirming the impressive creative potential of the new generation.

Venue & Organization

As tradition dictates, the Esplanade of the Urban Culture Center in Central Park, Cluj-Napoca was transformed into a grand outdoor fashion arena, featuring a spectacular catwalk, sound, lights, and LED screens, set against the backdrop of the Casino building and the historic 1897 fountain, inspired by the famous Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam.

The FTF 2023 organizing team included:

Dr. Matei Miko – President & Executive Producer
Prof. Dr. Elena Basso Stănescu – Spiritus Mentor
Anca Elena Bălan – Associate Producer, President of Romanian Fashion Council & Executive President of European Fashion Council
Mirela Presecan Tiberi – Executive Producer
Diana Loșonți – Executive Producer
Victoria Pop – Associate Producer

The Transilvania Fashion Festival – powered by Banca Transilvania was organized by the Pro Transilvania Cultural Association, Top Model Management Transilvania Fashion Agency, and Future City Association, in collaboration with the European Fashion Council and FashionTV, with the support of the City Hall and Local Council of Cluj-Napoca, the Casino – Urban Culture Center, Visit Cluj, and the Cluj County Council.

Main partners: NTT DATA Romania and SDC Properties.