DRAGAICA DALBA — THE EDIT is an online gallery with sales, focused on Romanian folk textiles—garments and select household cloth—sourced from field finds (fairs and flea markets), private holders, and consignment. Most pieces are intended for wear; collection-grade items are available occasionally and are clearly labeled as such. Our focus is the material culture of Romania’s villages: historic and vintage costume components and domestic textiles vetted for material integrity, coherent cut, and honest wear.

What this is

Related in spirit, distinct in function: DALBA — THE EDIT is a curated shop; DRĂGAICA ROȘIE is a collection to be studied and admired. DALBA self-sustains and advances our sister mission by rescuing strong textiles encountered in the field—pieces that would deteriorate if left behind—and placing them responsibly with new keepers. This is slow commerce and emotional dressing, not fast fashion.

Mission (Textiles)

Rescue. Rehouse. Read. We rescue strong textiles found in the field, reunite them into historically coherent ensembles where period/region allows, and place them responsibly with new keepers. We read each object as a cultural document—cut, structure, materiality, traces of wear. This is slow commerce and emotional dressing—an alternative to fast fashion where care, quality, and meaning come first.

Uniqueness as Luxury Today

Each piece is one of one—household handwork, never replicated. We do not offer duplicates; they simply do not exist. Uniqueness is inherent in the act of making—produced within families, inherited across generations—and in ensembles composed for specific uses, anchored in time and place.

These garments were made for real bodies, shaped by region, rite, and season. Cut and proportion follow human measure, not standard charts. Materials were home-produced for strength and longevity: fibers spun, woven, and dyed at home; seams that record intention; color palettes and motifs shaped by the eye of anonymous village makers.

What was once everyday practice now reads as quiet luxury: care for the wearer, durable cloth, craft at every join, handwork in every seam, and time layered into use. The result is an emotional wardrobe rooted in heritage—the opposite of fast fashion.

What you’ll find

Garments & complete looks: blouses/chemises (ii), overskirts & skirts, double aprons, bodices/vests, jackets & coats, sashes & wraps, head-covering textiles.
Where historically coherent, we reassemble costumes (compatible period/region) and label them clearly. Jewelry & headpieces are presented separately on Jewelry (Vintage, NOS & Replicas).

What’s included: every listing states precisely what is offered (e.g., blouse + double apron + sash). Belts, pins, or jewelry are included only if specified.

Categories (by age & intent)

1. Historic pieces (≈ ≥70 years) — primarily for collectors; internally checked as free of heritage-trade restrictions.
2. Contemporary vintage (<70 years) — primarily for wear.
3. Editorial & complementary items — small editions aligned with our field (books, calendars, prints; hand-made accessories using mostly local materials).

We do not work with duplicates. Ensemble value matters; where “sister” pieces exist, we retain a study reference and release others into circulation.

Provenance & documentation

Sources include private holders, curated market finds, and consignment from Romania and, occasionally, the wider Balkans. Each listing states period, region (where known), materials/techniques, measurements, condition, wearability, and fit guidance. Imagery is extensive to support close, remote evaluation.

Techniques & materials

Mostly home-made by anonymous makers using traditional household methods: hand-spinning & weaving; natural and early-synthetic dyeing; embroidery (counted-thread, cross-stitch, satin, couching, whitework); lace/crochet; braids & trimmings; occasional metallic thread. Fibers include wool, hemp, linen, cotton, and silk.

Authenticity & condition

Patina, sun-softened color, reinforced seams, and minor irregularities are markers of authenticity, not flaws. To preserve historical character, we avoid structural alterations.

Condition key: Excellent · Very Good · Good · Fair (with honest wear)
Status key: Available · On Hold (24h) · Placed (sold)

Provenance & documentation

Sources include private holders, curated market finds, and consignment from Romania and, occasionally, the wider Balkans. Each listing states period, region (where known), materials/techniques, measurements, condition, wearability, and fit guidance. Imagery is extensive to support close, remote evaluation.

Techniques & materials

Mostly home-made by anonymous makers using traditional household methods: hand-spinning & weaving; natural and early-synthetic dyeing; embroidery (counted-thread, cross-stitch, satin, couching, whitework); lace/crochet; braids & trimmings; occasional metallic thread. Fibers include wool, hemp, linen, cotton, and silk.

Authenticity & condition

Patina, sun-softened color, reinforced seams, and minor irregularities are markers of authenticity, not flaws. To preserve historical character, we avoid structural alterations.

Condition key: Excellent · Very Good · Good · Fair (with honest wear)
Status key: Available · On Hold (24h) · Placed (sold)

Release cadence & audience

Releases are periodic, not scheduled—often after complete photography/research, when a comparable study piece is retained, or when not required for current exhibitions. We serve collectors, wearers, galleries, and editors seeking pieces with biography—to study, to style, and to keep.

Care guidelines (conservation-informed)

Handling — Clean, dry hands for plain cloth; nitrile gloves for metal/beads/dark dyes. Support weight with two hands; never lift by the neckline, sleeves, or belts. Remove rings/watches; avoid food, drink, perfume when handling/trying on.

Environment (display & storage) — Cool, dry, stable (~18–21 °C, 45–55% RH). Low, indirect light; UV-filtered if displayed. Use breathable boxes/bags; no plastic against fabric.

Integrated pest care — Quarantine new arrivals; inspect folds/seams. Home freezing (double-bag, −20 °C for 72 h, thaw bagged, repeat) can work, but avoid for sheepskin/fur, weighted silks, or complex mixed-media; consult a pro.

Cleaning—decision path — Do nothing (preferred for fragile) → Surface clean → Wet clean (only if safe) → Professional conservation. Always test colorfastness (white swab; stop if color lifts).

Safe washing (when appropriate) —Plain linen/cotton with stable dyes: gentle hand-wash cold, pH-neutral, no brighteners; short soak; support seams; no wringing; thorough rinse. Dry flat in shade; reshape damp; press on reverse through a cloth (low–medium steam). Never immerse wool, sheepskin/fur, heavily embroidered, or mixed-media garments—use professional cleaning.

Embroidery & embellishment — Silk/wool threads, couching, sequins/spangles, metallic thread/coins: avoid soaking; spot-clean only; seek a textile conservator for soiling/tarnish/corrosion. Treat the piece to the most fragile component.

Drying & finishing — Dry flat, out of sun; change towels; reshape while damp. Prefer humidification (steam above, not on, the cloth) over heavy pressing. Never iron directly over beads/metal.

Storage — Store flat where possible; otherwise, wide padded hangers with a muslin sling. Pad folds with acid-free tissue; rotate folds. Cool/dry/dark; natural repellents (lavender/cedar) in ventilated containers.

Wearing historic garments — Use a base layer and underarm shields; avoid heavy bags/jewelry that snag; limit wear time and rest the garment; air flat after wearing before storing.

Color & screens — We aim for faithful representation, but colors vary by monitor/lighting. Ask for natural-light photos or a short video if needed.

Emergency (water/spills) — Keep flat; blot gently; no rubbing/heat. Increase air movement (fan at a distance). For stains, stop and seek professional advice.

Dispatch & reach

EU & Schengen-area shipping only.

Dispatch point: Bucharest.

Tracked, insured shipping; pickup by appointment.

See How to Buy for payment, shipping, and returns.