Heritage Reimagined: Romanian Culture Through Design
- RCI USA
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 21
About The Event
Ce Fain! - a platform connecting visionary designers and artisans with a global audience, is launching in New York with a special event co-organized and hosted by the Romanian Cultural Institute. Celebrating the modern, innovative, and stylish side of Romania, it curates extraordinary pieces that redefine what it means to be Made in Romania, giving design a bold, contemporary voice.
Named after the colloquial Romanian expression meaning “how cool,” Ce Fain! showcases Romania’s creative spirit across fashion, jewelry, ceramics, and art objects. Founded by Raluca Bucur and Andreea Rebaltescu, and guided by their deep connection to cultural roots and passion for sharing beauty across borders, the platform envisions a space where tradition is reimagined for today’s world, linking Romanian creators with audiences worldwide.
This inaugural event brings together a remarkable group of designers whose works reinterpret heritage through fresh, contemporary voices. From timeless elegance to bold new statements, the evening highlights pieces that embody both cultural continuity and modern flair.
Featured Designers
PUER Designs
Founded in 2023 by the architect Cătălina Graure, PUER Designs blends clean aesthetics and sustainability, exploring the intersection of minimalism and innovation. The brand thrives on reimagining traditional concepts—turning them into bold designs that feel like they’ve arrived from a future yet to unfold. Its story is not bound to seasons; instead, it’s a narrative of progress, experimentation, and individuality.
RAE Atelier
Blending structure and softness, digital and tactile, RAE, founded by Raluca Bucur, creates jewelry that embodies rhythm, tension, and raw expression. Each piece is more than an accessory — it’s an invitation to connect with presence over perfection.
Senin
Envisioned by Ruxandra Căpușan, each piece is crafted from 50+ year-old fabrics woven by our grandparents, reimagining dowry items into modern creations. Wearing SENIN means carrying timeless stories, preserving a craft on the brink of extinction, and feeling closer to your roots.
Wagner Arte
Ana Wagner, the creative force behind Wagner Arte Frumoase și Povesti, transforms porcelain into wearable and functional art. Her work, recognized nationally and internationally, has earned awards like the “AUTOR Fair 2024” prize at Milano Fashion&Jewels.
Little Forest
Founded by self-taught designer Roxana Pădure, Little Forest blends the old with the new — natural materials, simple cuts, and timeless tradition reimagined for a cosmopolitan reality. With resilience and creativity, Roxana transformed her journey from advertising into a brand rooted in authenticity, balance, and innovation.
UAU
Founded by artist and designer Vanessa Singenzia, UAU explores the expressive and functional potential of ceramics through a deeply personal, tactile approach. Each hand-built piece blends raw materiality with sculptural intention — turning everyday objects into living works of art.
Onīrik
Born from dreams yet rooted in strength, beauty, and wildness, Onīrik, founded by Katie Vasilescu, creates timeless pieces inspired by vintage patterns and reimagined for modern, free-spirited style. Each garment is crafted in Romania in limited editions, using natural fabrics and old-world craftsmanship — designed to endure and to be cherished as future heirlooms.
T.A.G. Creative
Founded by artist Andreia Gliga, T.A.G. Creative transforms Romanian folk motifs into timeless, modern design. Each hand-shaped ceramic piece blends traditional inspiration with minimal, contemporary style — made to be displayed, gifted, and cherished.
Hyperborean Folklore
Created by artists Iraida Florea and Vlad Dumitriu, Hyperborean Folklore transforms traditional sacred geometry, once embroidered on Romanian folk costumes, into refined, custom-made jewelry. Each piece carries the wisdom of ancient stories and symbols — talismans of luck and spiritual connection that bridge past and present.
Catrinel Săbăciag
Founded by multidisciplinary artist Catrinel Săbăciag, the studio creates interactive, sensory objects and lighting that blur the line between art and experience. Each piece invites viewers to pause, reflect, and rediscover the extraordinary hidden in the everyday.
Arc Studio
Founded by designer Claudia Nemeș, Arc Studio blurs the line between art and fashion creating contemporary pieces that are both expressive and wearable. Each design carries a sculptural quality, defined by clean lines, bold forms, and a minimalist aesthetic that resonates beyond trends.
Zestal
Known for transforming Romanian traditional attire into modern couture, Zestal creates one-of-a-kind pieces that merge ancestral heritage with bold, contemporary design. From intricate embroidery to architectural silhouettes, every creation is a bridge between past and future, meant to endure as iconic fashion.
