Andra Camelia Clitan

Andra Clitan is internationally renowned for her unique reinterpretations of tradition and translation of cultural concepts into art and design, merging contemporary design aesthetics with long established techniques of craft and local artisanship.

Proud of her roots and committed to promoting authentic design and her cultural heritage worldwide, Andra has firmly established herself as a global cultural ambassador for Romania. Over the years, she has been involved in various influential cultural projects continuing her mission to support local artisans and craftsmen and create artefacts that reflect the traditions and values of the community.

In 2011, she took part in the “Fashion Road: Dialogue across Borders,” a two-year project initiated by the Union National Institute for Culture aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue and cross-border collaborations with various designers across Europe. In 2013, she was selected to display the “Sola Scriptura Collection” at Mercedez Benz Berlin Fashion Week. In 2016, Andra was awarded the CultIn grant by the Ministry of Culture in Romania for the project “Fashion and Crafts: Perpetual Dialogue”, and in 2017, the designer was invited to present her latest collection, “Identity” in a private exhibition at the Romanian Cultural Institute, London, UK. The next year she was awarded a grant by AFCN for the project entitled “Wool Journey: From Fashion to Art Installation,” which was exhibited 2019 in Bucharest, Romania.

With an emphasis on sustainability, she founded the brand MA RA MI in her desire to merge Romanian traditional art and crafts with different cultures from around the world. MA RA MI contributes to preserving traditions by introducing the latest sartorial approaches in design, empowering self-sufficient and independent communities whilst sustaining ancestral artisan practices.

Andra Clitan studied fashion design at the University of Arts and Design Cluj Napoca (Romania) and L’École Superieure des Arts Decoratifs de Strasbourg followed by courses at Central Saint Martins in London. She completed her MA and PhD in Fine and Decorative Arts at UAD Cluj where she further explored her passion for textiles and fashion design.

At present Andra has returned to Transylvania, strengthening her ties with the communities and craftsmen at the heart of her practice. She also founded an NGO to continue her initiatives in heritage, crafts, and research, creating new opportunities for artisans while fostering intercultural collaborations across Europe and beyond. From this base, she continues to work internationally, developing projects that connect local traditions with global contemporary design.