Note from the founder and creative director

Note from the Creative Director & Founder, Antoaneta Mares

In 2013 my life changed forever. Fashion has always been my passion , along with travel and technology, but it was a single moment—the Romanian Blouse appearing in Tom Ford’s collection—that set me on a path I never imagined.

I asked myself: What if? What if the artisans who have been making these treasures for centuries could share their work with the world? What if, instead of imitations on the runways, people could own the original, crafted with history, skill, and soul? That idea became Blouse Roumaine Shop.

Along with a friend, I started a project that would evolve into a platform dedicated to artisans. With the support of National Unions of Crafts, I traveled across Romania, discovering cooperatives and workshops that held generations of craftsmanship. I found a world I didn’t know existed—where the old was new to me, where beauty was hidden in plain sight. These were not souvenirs. They were art. They belonged in every wardrobe, not just in museums or folkloric showcases.

Over the years, the vision expanded. I integrated designers, explored the traditional craftsmanship of other cultures like Vyshyvanka, and opened a physical shop. The journey was anything but easy. I navigated a pandemic, faced the struggles of running a startup, and experienced countless rejections from investors who didn’t see the value in slow fashion. Yet, I kept going. I created a hub that helped designers build their brands through powerful storytelling, and pushed artisans to embrace technology—one of the hardest challenges. And, most importantly, I owe so much to our clients—those who believed in this vision, who wear these pieces with pride in cities like New York, Sydney, Rome, Milan, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Rio de Janeiro.

I am deeply grateful to the clients who continue to support us, understanding that true craftsmanship takes time. Every order comes with a mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and immense joy when it is finally shipped and everything is in perfect order. Their patience and appreciation for the process keep this vision alive, proving that slow fashion has a place in our fast-moving world.

Blouse Roumaine Shop is not just a marketplace. It is a vision and the proof of the shift to a modern of world.  A bridge between past and future, between tradition and modernity, between artisans and a global audience. This road is not easy, but every stitch, every embroidered symbol, every connection made has been worth it.

Sustainability is the future. I have always been an activist for an ecological lifestyle. I prefer walking through the city instead of driving, I choose my clothing by carefully selecting fabrics, and I maintain a minimal wardrobe. I truly believe the world would be a better place if we were more mindful of our choices. A polyester dress with a high-end label does not represent luxury—it represents waste and a tacky choice. The future is about conscious choices in food, fashion, transportation, home, and lifestyle. Common sense has to be in fashion again.

I'm honored to contribute to this chapter in new age of fashion  — one that continues to evolve, shaping the future of craftsmanship and sustainability.