Otilia Mahu

'Fir din Fir (feer-din-feer)' is a collection that honours the rich textile heritage of Moldova, a culture that has shaped both my identity and creative process. My work begins with inherited crochet patterns, passed down through generations in my family. Each design starts in soft form, crocheted by hand, printed in watercolour, digitised, and transformed into silver jewellery. By combining traditional craft with modern processes, I explore how generational knowledge can be preserved and reimagined.

This project is deeply personal but also widely relatable. It reflects on the overlooked stories, skills and objects we inherit. I aim to carry these traditions forward, preserving and reimagining their beauty. The title, meaning thread by thread, speaks to the meticulous making process and the cultural threads woven through each piece. By naming each work in my mother tongue, I give voice to Moldova’s identity and invite others to reconnect with their own roots.