On June 20, at the National Institute for Innovation in Cybersecurity “Cybercor,” the Faculty of Design at the Technical University of Moldova hosted the seventh edition of the “Students’ Fashion Day” festival—an event that has become a staple of the local creative scene. In front of an enthusiastic and sizable audience, 18 fashion collections were showcased on the runway, adding to the 112 collections featured in previous editions of the festival.
This year’s UTM-branded event once again carried a strong international flavor, featuring collections from graduates of some of the most prestigious fashion design schools in Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova. The 2025 edition brought together young designers from Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași, George Enescu National University of Arts in Iași, West University of Timișoara, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, the National University of Design and Technology in Kyiv, as well as graduates from UTM’s Faculty of Design, the event host.
During the event, the rector of the Technical University of Moldova, Professor Viorel Bostan, PhD, Habil., Full Member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, praised the efforts of the students and faculty, emphasizing the significance of the festival:
“I always attend this event with great joy; it’s a wonderful tradition of the Faculty of Design and the Technical University of Moldova. We aim to break the stereotype that UTM only trains engineers. This university is also a place where art and creativity thrive daily. I’m especially glad that this festival has evolved from something simple into a tradition. I’m convinced that this first runway show is just the beginning and that many more will follow—not only in Chișinău or neighboring countries but also on the major fashion stages in Paris, Milan, New York, or London.”
For the first time, this year’s edition was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova. State Secretary Andrei Chistol remarked:
“What’s being done at UTM—not just in architecture, construction, mechanics, etc.—truly makes it a model university. Investing in young people means investing in our future and the future of Moldova. We hope that ‘Students’ Fashion Day’ becomes a tradition we continue to support annually.”
The festival opened with the collection “Bloomtide,” created by first-, second-, and third-year students of the Faculty of Design at UTM, under the guidance of professors Alina Tocarciuc, Anna Palamarciuc, and Daniela Naval. The collection offered a visual journey through the world of flowers, reimagined through abstract forms, varied textures, and a symbolic color palette, expressing energy, sensitivity, and the force of renewal.
The students, along with their professors, managed to turn ideas into memorable pieces. Below is the full list of collections, along with the names of their creators and mentors:
- “NEMORUM” – Ana Lupu, mentor: Alina Tocarciuc, UTM
- “Dor de noi” – Victoria Turcu, mentor: Sergiu Tronciu, UTM
- “Barely Bound” – Victoria Skok, mentor: Kalyna Pashkevich, National University of Design and Technology, Kyiv
- “Ecoul copilăriei” – Mihaela Ceban, mentor: Iarîna Savițcaia-Baraghin, UTM
- “Unseen” – Alina Mîță, mentor: Alina Tocarciuc, UTM
- “Dryade” – Roxana Ciobanu, mentors: Cornelia Brustureanu, Cristina Hîrțescu, George Enescu National University of Arts, Iași
- “Vispera” – Anastasia Zavtur, mentor: Iarîna Savițcaia-Baraghin, UTM
- “Fragments of becoming” – Briada Zaplitnîi, Iuliana Streba, Raluca Lupu, Crina Croitoru, Theona Chelariu, Radu Firicel, Alina Iacob, mentors: Antonela Curteza, Aura Mihai, Ramona Budeanu, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University, Iași
- “Shebloom” – Vlada Patrașcu, mentor: Alina Tocarciuc, UTM
- “01” – Livia Căpățină, mentor: Alina Tocarciuc, UTM
- “Suflete” – Ana Farîmă, mentors: Diana Bota, Lăcrimioara Ionescu, Ondina Turturică, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad
- “Stitches” – Elizaveta Polyakova, mentor: Iryna Davydenko, National University of Design and Technology, Kyiv
- “Cosmic” – Miriela Țurcanu, mentor: Anna Palamarciuc, UTM
- “Redesenat” – Alexandra Țigăeru, mentors: Cornelia Brustureanu, Cristina Hîrțescu, George Enescu National University of Arts, Iași
- “Contrapunct” – Cristina Levițchi, mentor: Alina Tocarciuc, UTM
- “Manmade claws” – Claudiu-Raul Pașcalău, mentor: Dr. Sandra Chira, West University of Timișoara
- “BreakFree” – Marialina Efros, mentor: Anna Palamarciuc, UTM
- “Artifact” – Victoria Rusu, mentor: Dr. Sandra Chira, West University of Timișoara
In keeping with tradition, the audience was invited to vote electronically for their favorite collection. The winning title went to “Artifact” by Victoria Rusu, a student from the West University of Timișoara, mentored by Dr. Sandra Chira. This sustainable collection stood out for its use of worn materials and recycled accessories to create wearable stories—an impressive example of artistic responsibility and innovation.
“Students’ Fashion Day” is an event dedicated to showcasing young fashion design talent, encouraging collaboration between students and professionals, and bridging academia and the fashion industry through an international perspective.
Organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and with the support of the UTM Faculty of Design team, the event benefited from a number of partners and sponsors who played a key role in making this edition a success.
This year’s edition once again confirmed the role of the Technical University of Moldova as a center of educational excellence and a vibrant platform for promoting emerging talent in fashion design—one that transcends national borders.
Congratulations to all the students and mentors for the talent, dedication, and passion poured into each and every collection!
With each passing year, STUDENTS’ FASHION DAY proves that the future is being designed at UTM—with style!
