

OCTAVIA CHIRU
What hides the captivating creativity of Octavia Chiru, one of the most attractive designers of the moment? The passion for art, for the works of Antoni Gaudí, Javier Senosian and Vanessa Beecroft, the desire to tell stories through each creation.
Text: Oana Monoran Foto: Stefana Lupu
First, for you, were the clothes, and then the ceramic rings and accessories? Or vice versa?
I got my bachelor’s degree in fashion and my master’s degree in fashion and costume strategies. The love for clothing surrounds me from the moment I was able to dress alone, without my mother’s help, when I was a child. Arts were my main choices in all extracurricular actions and I learned the pleasure of carving in clay right from my kindergarten years. For me, art is paramount, and what emerges from it in different areas, all go hand in hand. In fashion, anything is allowed – from collaborating with other arts for a clothing product, to free expression by supporting a global protest and beyond. Long story short, I made for my bachelor’s thesis pieces of clothing with multifunctionality, and they were inspired by tapestries, pieces of clothing they turned into tapestries, decoration for the house, when you no longer wanted to wear them. So I learned textile art and handicrafts to merge two “distinct” arts. Then, for my master’s degree, I rediscovered my passion for ceramics and I wanted to integrate this dear material into the collection. When I create an outfit, I want it to be full “O.C” look, from clothing pieces to accessories – shoes, bags, to jewelry. Only in this way is my vision 100% fulfilled. I thought of ceramic buttons of products and followed to make jewelry, and finally ceramic bags. I chose to learn a new art to cultivate alongside fashion art, through reinterpretation and adaptation. Now I am going to perfect my techniques and, finally, add other arts to the “repertoire”.

What are the most exciting aspects of being a fashion designer?
I enjoy the whole journey I embarked on. From the creative process to the customer’s greeting of the finished product. The possibility of imagining an object, then taking shape and, finally, becoming reality is similar to a rollercoaster of feelings, each emotion being special and difficult to describe in words.
Where do you find the fashion you like? Who are the people you relate to, who you feel you think the same way with?
Fashion for me is art. A practical art or not, depending on what the artist wants to express. Art surrounds us every day and is called nature, the one that gives life. Inspiration takes me from a silent winter landscape to microorganisms that cannot be perceived with the naked eye. It’s about emotions, shapes, shades, textures and more. If I had to choose between fashion artists, it would be impossible. Each is unique, and their artistic perspectives have created today’s fashion world, which I cannot divide. I love a little bit of each, and everything is magnificent

What is the style of Octavia Chiru’s clothes? How do you want the world to perceive it?
“OCTAVIA CHIRU” products are timeless, they do not follow passing trends. They are statement pieces that offer a bold, free and courageous look. Those who choose to wear pieces created by me want to feel the pleasure of experimenting, of being free in choice and of feeling confident in themselves, without imposing barriers with standards created by society. “O.C” clothes and accessories are unique products that don’t just dress you physically, they have a much deeper purpose. They dress you up with stories, narrate them, to those who are willing to listen, stories about the hands that worked them, stories about the concept and the stories that will be written together.

What materials do you work with, how are the textures you choose?
“OCTAVIA CHIRU” is a sustainable brand, and the materials are chosen with care for the environment, for the people who make it possible to make the fabric and, of course, care for animals. It’s a process that requires a lot of research to give the customer a product with a story, not just marketing. I like to work with organic textures, from those that intrigue you visually and you want to achieve them. One style of fabric without which I would not see a collection is knitwear, especially handmade, with andreels or crochet. I like the opportunity to experiment with different yarns, especially wool, and the physical process by which you bring the fabric to life through knot/braided combinations.

Do you have any favorite colors?
I love all the colors and their shades. Each one gives me a certain mood, just like perfumes. Usually, every year I can say that only one shade catches my attention, which remains “preferred” until the next year. In 2020 I liked the shade “chartreuse”, a playful, fresh green. Then, in 2021, I was brightened by “sun yellow”, a bright orange that warms you just by looking at it. And in 2022 I was reassured by the shade “cyan”, a blue-green for which I have a weakness. Now, I’m waiting for the nuance for 2023, let’s see what experiences will inspire me in the new year.
What about colors you avoid?
I don’t avoid colors. I like to do experiments, to find unique combinations.

How important is innovation to you? Are you looking for this, is it a concern of yours? In what sense?
I want to create fresh products that bring a change for the better for our daily lives and, of course, for the future. A responsible, healthy and conscious world. This is a challenge I take on my own with each new collection. In the world of consumerism, it’s very hard to be the one who comes with a plus. There is no longer an emphasis on quality, only on quantity and a price as low as possible, hence the excessive consumption of products that wear out too quickly and need to be changed with new ones. So, through practicality, shape, cut, material, technology, I want to innovate the fashion world to be helpful to the industry and beyond.

An artist you really like:
I appreciate many artists, from different creative areas. If I had to choose one, it would be very difficult for me. Three great artists I appreciate and follow fondly are Antoni Gaudí, Javier Senosian, Vanessa Beecroft.
If you made a playlist to overlay with your clothes, what songs would you choose?
Each piece of clothing represents a character belonging to a collection or, as I like to say, to a chapter from the volume of stories Octavia Chiru. Some characters are more serious, finer in texture, while others are colorful and playful. Some momentary songs would be Natalie Taylor – Surrender, Alex Cruz – Sweet Child (feat. Gabbi Lieve), Topic, A7S – Breaking Me, Weezer – Island In The Sun.



