MIHAELA MARTINAC
Master of Sea Silk
Fashion design is about pushing materials to and beyond their volumetric limits, merging the impossible. For me, textiles represent a playground of infinite possibilities where I play, dance, and sing using needles and threads. Unlike the imposed minimalism driven by economic profitability, uniformity, and the speed of factory production, I am increasingly drawn to re-ornamentation, tradition, reliefs, and organic aesthetics. These compositional elements extend the creation time, as I see garments not merely as functional components but as jewelry that adorns us.
This might be the last opportunity for anyone to work with sea silk. Recent studies indicate a massive mortality of Pinna nobilis, threatening the species' survival in its natural habitat due to parasites and mycobacteria. Biologists are striving to protect the species, and we are now more aware of the detrimental impact of exploiting natural resources on certain species.
It is a great honor that this material has chosen me to explore it, create new designs, and pass its story to future generations. From the beginning, I knew these pieces had to showcase a range of skills, from crocheting and knitting to embroidery, while also considering their transformative and multifunctional properties. This is the essence of the project: timeless creations that live with us and outlive us, their uniqueness akin to the most precious heirlooms, like jewelry.
