by Cosimo Baldi
In a world where fashion often looks forward, Ana Garbuz invites us to turn our gaze to our roots and family ties. Her collection “Dumana” is a vibrant exploration of traditional Moldovan costumes, enriched by meticulous attention to detail and deep cultural research. Through her garments, Ana demonstrates how our personal and family connections can positively influence our work, contributing to our professional growth. As a graduate in Fashion Design from Modartech Institute, Ana has presented a collection that not only celebrates her roots but also transforms traditional Moldovan costumes into modern and fascinating creations.
“My passion for fashion was passed down to me by my grandmother. When I was little, I always saw her sewing and knitting socks. Honestly, I never thought this could become my academic path and later my job. As I went on, I started to appreciate what this world represented and became really curious to understand and see how clothes were made, how they were constructed, and the creativity and work behind them. This led me to decide to pursue a university career in fashion design and enroll at Modartech Institute in Pontedera.”
What inspired your choice for your graduation collection theme?
“The recurring theme in my graduation collection comes from my origin country. I am Moldovan, and when we started discussing themes for the end-of-year collection, I decided to draw inspiration from my origins and family history. While preparing this project, I discovered many things about my grandparents and my homeland, especially their customs, which create a very particular fashion, almost homely, with a vast array of embroidery and strong cultural elements. From there, I began to ‘dig’ and tell my story and my origins. My goal was to remember my roots and make them known to the world.”
Do you think that know our origins and history is important for this kind of work?
“Rediscovering and investigating my origins helped me a lot because it allowed me to convey all my cultural background that I carry with me to this day. For a long time, I tried to hide it since I was a child until I decided, through this collection, to express this part of myself through creativity. I also think it is very important to accept one’s origins. Indeed, in my subsequent works, I noticed that this awareness helps me develop new ideas.”
What principles do you incorporate into your work?
“I try to stay true to myself as possible. I believe there is a connection between what a person wants and what they can express through their work. In the end, we all express who we are in everything that concerns us, whether it is a hobby or our job.”
Do you have any hobbies or passions?
“One of my favorite hobbies is reading. I love reading; I’ve read many books. I think reading promotes creativity. I have found many ideas from books. It pushes you to expand your horizons. For this type of work, drawing from anything that interests us, from anything that arouses our creativity, is really important, whether it is bubbles in a glass of sparkling water or artists from the past.”
The images of Ana Garbuz’s collection tell a story of tradition and innovation. Each piece is a celebration of her origins, a tribute to typical Moldovan costumes that, through her vision, are reinterpreted in a modern key. Attention to detail is evident in every garment, from elaborate embroidery to carefully selected fabrics.
Ana’s creations stand out for their ability to blend traditional elements with contemporary touches. For example, the first outfit features a long beige dress decorated with floral embroidery that recalls typical Moldovan motifs. This garment is paired with a white shirt with wide sleeves and a long blue skirt, all completed with a floral scarf that wraps around the model’s head. The ensemble is made modern by the use of streetwear accessories, such as open shoes and a checkered fabric bag.
Every detail tells a story. In Garbuz’s work, embroidery is not just decoration but symbols representing the traditions and values of Moldovan culture. The vibrant colors and intricate patterns were carefully selected to reflect the designer’s cultural heritage, while the modern cuts and clean silhouettes bring these ancient symbols into the present.
Ana’s collection is also a celebration of her identity. Each garment represents a piece of the puzzle that makes up the designer’s personal history, a story of family, traditions, and ties that span generations. Wearing one of her dresses means embracing part of this story, carrying a piece of Moldovan culture with you.
One thing is certain, this collection represents only the beginning of Ana Garbuz’s journey in the fashion world. With a clear vision and a strong connection to her roots, Ana is destined to become a prominent figure in the contemporary design scene. Her ability to tell stories through her clothes, combined with her dedication to quality and authenticity, makes her a designer definitely to know.
