Virginia Linul

Costume maker

©Dana Tole for WhyWeCraft

Keeping traditional Romanian dress current

Virginia learned her craft at an early age from her mother
She makes traditional Romanian costumes by using traditional techniques
She completed a PhD in history and ethnography

Virginia Linul inherited her passion for traditional art and costume-making from her mother, who is considered to be one of the most skilled embroiderers in Tara Nasaudului (a historical region in north-eastern Transylvania). Over the years, Virginia has been involved in many projects that marked her professional path. Her participation in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., in 1999, led her to fully commit to the promotion of Romanian traditional costume both nationally and internationally. In 2011, she collaborated with French designer Philippe Guilet on a fashion event that brought Romanian art into the spotlight by creating an haute couture collection with the help of Romanian artisans. In 2020, she opened the House of Traditional Costume Virginia Linul, a unique space that combines both a retail area and a museum displaying hundreds of costumes. She is also affiliated with the WhyWeCraft Association, coordinating stitching and bead embroidery, and as a mentor in co-design projects.

Interview

©Dana Tole for WhyWeCraft

©Monica Moisin

What kind of costumes do you make?: At first, I created costumes specific to my geographical area, applying the knowledge I received at home. Later I learned to create traditional costumes from all regions of Romania, mainly by replicating models from various museums. In our country, there are 450 ethnographic areas and sub-areas, all of them with specific elements.
What does well made mean to you?: A well made costume should be crafted from a very good, quality material. It should be sewn correctly and completely, be well-finished with double stitching so that it does not come apart when cleaned in the washing machine, for example. It should last at least three generations.
What do you recommend to young people interested in your craft?: I advise them to turn towards craftsmanship. It is therapy through art. It is fulfilling because it offers the personal satisfaction of a job well done that lasts over time. This profession can be pursued anytime, in any season, and is truly enjoyable. It involves a lot of work, but the outcome is worth it. The beauty that comes out of your hands is a work of art.
Can you tell us a memorable moment in your professional life?: There are several remarkable moments, including a historic event through which we showed the world what dowry we Romanians have. In 2017, with the support of the authorities, we organised an event in Bistrita-Nasaud that entered the Guinness World Records, as it was attended by almost 10,000 people in traditional costumes. We established two records then: the largest number of people simultaneously wearing traditional costumes and the largest synchronised Romanian traditional dance.

Virginia Linul is a master artisan: she began her career in 1980 and she started teaching in 2002