Vidrașcu Valentina

About

Valentina Vidrașcu, born on January 5, 1955, a graduate of the Faculty of Philology at Moldova State University, is an iconic fashion designer from the Republic of Moldova, recognized for her reinterpretation of Romanian folk costume. Her career began in 1997 when she founded the country's first modeling agency, Viva Models, and imported luxury clothing from Italy from brands such as Versace or Dolce & Gabbana. Since 1999, she has launched her first folklore-inspired collection, "Deo Sole," followed by others such as "La Blouse Roumaine," "Drăgaica," or "Regina Maria," transforming the ia, catrința, bundița, and brâul into stylized pieces, handcrafted from silk, chiffon, and natural fabrics, which combine tradition with contemporary elegance. Her success has been marked by awards such as "Man of the Year 2016" in the fashion industry and participation in international festivals. The designer has collaborated with cultural institutions and events in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, such as Romanian Design Week, the exhibition "Veșminte" at The Art of Living Gallery in Bucharest (alongside architect Attila Kim), Wood & Wool, or projects by The Institute, promoting creative industries. Her brand, rebranded in 2016 as VALENTINA, has a showroom in Bucharest on General Berthelot Street, where she exhibits artisanal collections made by an extended team, emphasizing the details of traditional embroidery and fluid transparencies. Her creations have been featured in magazines such as VIP Magazin, Forbes România, or Revista Tango, positioning her as "the lady of authentic iis" and a symbol of Romanian cultural identity. In her personal life, Valentina Vidrașcu is a mother of two boys, Tiberiu and another, for whom she created her first shirt, inspiring her to continue in fashion with authentic values. Coming from a story of perseverance – from a tourist guide during her studies to an entrepreneur in luxury fashion – she promotes folk costume as a symbol of cultural belonging, accessible to modern women. Discreet and dedicated, Vidrașcu sees folklore as a living source of creativity, overcoming economic crises with her vision of bringing the ia back into the contemporary wardrobe, from Moldova to Romania.