Romania
Romania joined the European Fashion Council in 2007. It is a founder member of the organization.
President EFC Romania
Anca E Balan
Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council
romanianfatexcouncil.ro
Anca Balan is the President of the Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council and a prominent figure in advancing the Romanian fashion and textile industries. Under her leadership, the Council plays a pivotal role in promoting local designers and fostering cross-border collaboration. Its initiatives include providing professional development for emerging talent, facilitating access to international markets, and encouraging innovation through technology transfer and digitization programs.
Established in 2015, the Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council is dedicated to advancing the fashion industry through strategic initiatives that foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation. It plays a key role in connecting local designers and producers with global opportunities, while also ensuring the continuous growth and modernization of the Romanian fashion ecosystem.
Objectives of the Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council
The Council’s objectives focus on supporting its members and the broader fashion community in achieving sustainable and impactful growth:
- Empowering Members in Fashion Design
The Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council offers tailored support for its members, promoting their work in fashion design while helping to build strong networks that showcase Romanian talent on international platforms. - Facilitating Transnational Mobility
The Council aims to enable fashion designers to participate in international collaborations and access career opportunities across borders, fostering global connections and cultural exchange. - Providing Development Consultancy
The Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council provides expertise in coordinating and implementing development programs funded by diverse sources. These programs are designed to enhance the creative and innovative value of Romania’s fashion industry. - Promoting Technology Transfer
The Council supports the digitization and automation of local fashion production industries, offering consultancy services to modernize the sector and improve its global competitiveness. - Expanding Access to Global Markets
The Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council actively works to connect creative teams—including textile producers specializing in clothing, footwear, and leather—with non-EU markets, opening new avenues for international growth and collaboration. - Fostering Next-Generation Vocational Training
The Council advocates for the development and expansion of national and EU programs dedicated to vocational training, ensuring that the next generation of fashion professionals is equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving industry.
The Romanian Fashion and Textiles Council is committed to being a transformative force in fashion, driving innovation, sustainability, and international recognition for Romania’s rich creative talent.
About Romania
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia — for centuries under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire — secured their autonomy through the Treaty of Paris in 1856. They were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country joined the Allied Powers in World War I and subsequently acquired new territories — most notably Transylvania — that more than doubled its size. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist “people’s republic” in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.