MIHAELA MARTINAC
Master of Sea Silk
Fashion design, for me, is about pushing the very boundaries of materials, stretching them to their limits and beyond, merging the impossible with the tangible. Textiles are my endless playground, a realm where I can play, dance, and sing with the delicate hum of needles and threads. In this space, I find a freedom that transcends the rigid constraints of mass production and profit-driven minimalism. While the world of fast fashion thrives on uniformity and speed, I am increasingly drawn to the beauty of re-ornamentation, the intricacy of tradition, and the organic flow of reliefs and textures.
For me, garments are not mere functional constructs; they are like wearable sculptures, pieces of jewelry that adorn the body, enhancing and celebrating its form. I see every stitch, every fold, as an act of expression, a journey of time that elevates the creation process. The extended hours spent shaping each piece are not a burden but a vital part of the artistic narrative—one that celebrates both craftsmanship and the soul of the material itself. I embrace the slow, deliberate process of making, where every detail matters and every design carries its own story.
About
After honing her craft at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan and completing an MA in knitwear design at Nottingham Trent University, Mihaela’s true journey began. It was then that she founded Studio Markovic, later renamed Martinac, a space where she could bring her bold ideas to life. Her atelier was born from a desire to create something fresh, something timeless—designs that transcend trends, seasons, and superficiality. Above all, she sought to create pieces that would make a woman feel truly seen, appreciated, and empowered in the way she most desired.
