Mărțișor as a contemporary vestimentary adornment bridging heritage and sustainability

Abstract

The mărțișor transcends the simple image of the red-and-white thread, constituting a symbolic universe that spans time and space. In 2026, in the Republic of Moldova, this tradition remains alive, manifested through fairs, exhibitions, and museum workshops, exemplified by the Târgul Meșterilor in Chisinau. The study analyzes how the mărțișor is reinvented as a contemporary wearable adornment through generative design, sustainable materials, and the integration of traditional techniques with current aesthetics. The research explores mărțișor classifications and the impact of kitsch on authenticity, highlighting the coexistence of collective memory, individual creativity, and cultural responsibility.