Made in Belgium by a Romanian

The graduation project “Made in Belgium by a Romanian” comes as a response to seeing too many Made in Romania labels on garments. Would the location make a difference in the quality of the product? Probably not, but it surely would make a difference in the quality of life of the maker.

The concept took shape around the idea of one’s value, specifically about the value of labor and craftsmanship. The work comments on the conditions under which products are being manufactured, viewed through the lens of fair labor compensation.

The pieces communicate about craftsmanship through the absence or excess of essential parts. In some cases, the emphasis falls on the value of the making process using a particular technique to reveal usually unnoticeable signs of labor. The work highlights that apart from the precious materials, what is also essential is the preciousness of craftsmanship and the value of labor.