Rescue. Rehouse. Reactivate.
We pair historic garments with their rightful counterparts and place them with new keepers—slow, informed wearing rooted in Romania’s vernacular heritage.

Identity

DRĂGAICA DALBĂ — THE EDIT is a curated online gallery devoted to historic Romanian folk costume and companion adornments. We present one-of-a-kind garments and historically informed jewelry for contemporary wear—offered one piece at a time, in conversation. DALBĂ is the shop sister to DRĂGAICA ROȘIE, our research collection and curatorial brand (separate inventories).

How we curate — and who we are

We read garments and adornments as visual culture—cut, weave, stitch, chromatics, and wear as evidence.

We are an interdisciplinary, Bucharest-based collective working between studio, archive, fieldwork, and exhibition. In daily life, we work in research across architecture, textiles, anthropology, and image-making. Here, we remain mostly anonymous and volunteer-driven.  We quietly sustain an old-world trade in wearable textiles: a personal, careful passing-on of our pieces and those of friends, updated for today with clarity and respect

Mission

Rescue. Rehouse. Reactivate. We rescue strong pieces found in the field, reunite garments into historically coherent ensembles where period/region allows, and reactivate jewelry forms for use today. We keep textiles and typologies in circulation—so they continue to be read, worn, and cared for—rather than slipping into storage or decay. This is slow, informed wearing: a counterpoint to fast fashion where care, quality, and meaning lead.

Materials & pairing

We pair historic garments with their rightful counterparts—either period adornments in strong condition or documented replicas made from period-consistent components. Household-made cloth (hand-spun/hand-woven, hand-dyed; braided cords; woven trims) meets workshop materials (glass, coral, pearls, garnets, metal fittings, silver coins). When originals are missing or too fragile, replicas are proportion-true, materially consistent, and clearly labeled.

Sustainability & stewardship 

Our practice is slow by design—reuse, repair, re-wear, and keep knowledge in motion.

Keep pieces in circulation: strong items return to wear; fragile/incomplete ones serve teaching, research, and workshops.

Consignment with care: we support small collectors; provenance and chain-of-custody are documented.

Minimal, reversible work: stabilization over overhaul; all treatments disclosed.

Craft kept alive: we commission local artisans and use NOS materials from winding-down stocks.

Repair-first: re-string, stabilize, re-assemble; modern additions are minimal and declared.

Quiet luxury, low impact: one-of-a-kind handwork; archival interiors and recyclable outers; consolidated, insured shipping.

Transparent by default: each listing states what is antique, vintage, NOS, or newly cast—and why.

In short: we reconstitute what was at risk, rehome what can be worn, and teach through what cannot—so objects, materials, and know-how move forward together.

Provenance & ethics

Pieces come from private holders, curated field finds (fairs/flea markets), and select consignments from Romania and, occasionally, the wider Balkans. We disclose context, known history, and any conservation notes. We do not work with duplicates; ensemble value matters.

How we sell

Private message on Instagram & Facebook. One piece at a time, in dialogue. 24-hour holds on request. EU & Schengen shipping (tracked, insured) from Bucharest; local handover by appointment. See How to Buy for details.

Related in spirit, distinct in function. DALBĂ is a curated shop; ROȘIE is a collection to be studied and admired. DALBĂ dresses the present; ROȘIE educates and safeguards living memory. Come to DALBĂ to wear; come to ROȘIE to understand and remember.