BALKAN TRAFIK! FASHION SHOW

Marija Handmade is a brand that has been nurturing tradition, authenticity and sustainable fashion for many years.

The atelier holds a certificate for traditional handicrafts and is based on the preservation of historic textile techniques.

Its approach also supports women, social entrepreneurship and environmentally responsible production.

Its founder, Marija, is a textile designer who explores and reinterprets traditional production techniques and stylises Serbian folklore motifs through contemporary clothing.

She works with natural fibres such as wool, cotton, silk, linen and hemp. Many fabrics are also hand-dyed in her studio using natural pigments.

Her work combines traditional craftsmanship with ecological and sustainable fashion principles.

https://marijahandmade.com

Fashion designer Catalina Jitaru launched Catalina J in 2016 with the ambition of building a strong visual identity dedicated to modern and individual femininity.

Catalina J develops refined contemporary silhouettes through precise construction, geometric cuts and details inspired by couture techniques.

Her collections express a distinctly modern urban spirit and are based on an ongoing exploration of proportions, materials, structures and colour.

https://catalina-j.com

Rage Room is an upcycling fashion house created by Mia Strazicic and Ira Ribaric in reaction to uniformity, waste and overconsumption in the fashion industry.

From their Amsterdam atelier, Rage Room transforms old and discarded garments into unique pieces and canvases for creative expression.

Their rejection of the fashion industry’s status quo becomes a source of creative energy, while the industry’s discarded remnants become their raw material.

Instagram: @rage.r00m

A mother and daughter duo that revives the rich tradition and heritage of Slavonia (eastern Croatia).

Slavonia has a long and rich history of customs and traditional crafts, each carrying a story. Every village had its own unique style of crocheting, weaving, and even processing materials and dyeing wool. Women—our ancestors—worked day and night to decorate their homes, especially for special occasions like weddings, baptisms, saint celebrations, and even funerals. Handcrafted bed linens, tablecloths, even woven blankets and cloths with embroidered messages were traditionally gifted during weddings, childbirth, and similar life events. Behind each piece of fabric or decoration lies a story.

Yet, the rise of fast fashion and a quicker pace of life, this story has been increasingly forgotten—so much so that it was nearly discarded and thrown away. That’s why Dada i Dunda use old and traditional fabrics and decorations to create new items, especially women’s fashion pieces, in hopes of blending or at least bringing urban trends closer to tradition.

Instagram: @dadaidunda

Solena Romani is more than a space dedicated to traditional Roma clothing; it is an initiative rooted in cultural pride, creativity, and the preservation of Roma heritage. By bringing together tradition and modernity, Solena Romani creates a space for dialogue, cultural exchange, and the celebration of an identity shaped by generations of history and resilience.

The garments and creations reflect the richness of Roma culture through vibrant colors, traditional motifs, and materials inspired by those passed down by our ancestors. Each piece carries a sense of belonging and continuity, transforming fashion into a powerful form of cultural expression.

At the heart of Solena Romani is the desire to bring generations together. Children, young people, and older members of the community are encouraged to reconnect with their roots, appreciate the beauty of Roma traditions, and carry them forward with confidence. Particular attention is given to young people, inspiring them to embrace and express their cultural identity proudly within an increasingly multicultural world.

Through fashion and cultural expression, Solena Romani seeks to preserve and promote Roma identity at both national and international levels. It is a celebration of heritage, but also a vision for the future—one in which Roma culture continues to be seen, valued, respected, and passed on to generations to come.

“Culture is the soul of a people, and traditions are the bridge that connects the past to the future.”

Instagram: @solenaromani

Shahash Akrimski is a DJ, producer and instrumentalist whose sets combine electronic music with musical traditions from around the world.

Blending house, techno, world music and Balkan influences, his work reflects a deep interest in culture, diversity and musical encounters.

For the Balkan Trafik! Fashion Show, Shahash will create the musical environment accompanying the dialogue between traditional clothing and contemporary design.

Tena / Thinking Threads

Tena is a Brussels-based fashion activist, speaker and event organiser.

With a background in anthropology and a strong commitment to education, ethics and sustainability, she founded Thinking Threads in the summer of 2020.

Since then, she has worked with organisations including Fashion Revolution Belgium, Fair Trade and the Clean Clothes Campaign, as well as several ethical fashion brands.

Through talks, events and educational projects, she challenges mainstream ideas around clothing, style, ethics, consumption and sustainability.

Instagram: @thinking.threads