BALKAN MRACONIA Exhibition
The inaugural exhibition MRACONIA marked the public debut of BALKAN, a new creative project by Stefan Dragic and Vasilis Marlantis. Presented within the neoclassical architecture of Palatul Cina, formerly Cesianu-Boerescu House, the event presented as a dialogue between heritage, material memory, and contemporary expression. The atmosphere of the historic residence, with its weathered details and silent grandeur, framed BALKAN’s vision of dark romanticism and modern refinement.
“Its metal structure, reminiscent of Romanian gates, embodied both architectural precision and symbolic passage.”
Named after a region along the Danube central to Stefan Dragic’s childhood, MRACONIA assembled sculpture, fashion, painting, and design into a cohesive visual narrative. Aurel Contras contributed a sculptural work in wood and bronze that embodied symbolic craftsmanship and permanence. Lucian Pruna’s hyperrealistic still lifes captured ordinary objects with cinematic intimacy, while Korina Gallika collaborated with the brand on a series of silk bandanas that reinterpreted Balkan motifs as tactile luxury.
At the center of the exhibition stood the Portal Bag, BALKAN’s new signature accessory. Designed by Stefan Dragic and Vasilis Marlantis in seven color variations, its metal cage structure evoked the geometry of Romanian gates, turning architectural relics into functional design. Each piece reflected the brand’s philosophy of transforming regional heritage into contemporary vocabulary.
The exhibition attracted leading figures from Romania’s creative and fashion scenes, including Maurice Munteanu, Domnica Margescu, Ioana Hintz, and Lucian Broscatean. Their presence underscored the significance of BALKAN’s debut as part of Mercedes-Benz Bucharest Fashion Week SS26.
MRACONIA positioned BALKAN as a multidisciplinary platform bridging art, fashion, and design while preserving the poetic essence of Balkan identity. The exhibition’s precise curatorial direction and symbolic use of materiality established the Stefan and Vasilis vision: a conversation between the past and the present, where memory acquires contemporary form.
“A vision rooted in memory, architecture, and dark romanticism. A dialogue of art, fashion, and heritage created as form, matter, and symbolism.”
MRACONIA Exhibition
October 15-19, 2025
Palatul Cina, 10 Benjamin Franklin St, Bucharest
Founder and Creative Director: Stefan Dragic
Founder and Chief Creative: Vasilis Marlantis
Creative Team: Konstantinos Ntasios, Jița Alexandru Daniel Sinc, Andrei Defta, Izabella Dezso, Mihai Popinciuc
Artists: Aurel Contras, Lucian Prunǎ, Korina Gallika
Strategy Consultant: Beniamino Marini
Press: Connie Preda
Special Thanks: Tudor Ciurescu, Dimitra Louana Marlanti, George Koutivas, Robert Ionicioiu, Victor Sintejudean, Leon Oros Octav
We are grateful to the entire team at Balkan Atelier for welcoming us and allowing us to experience such a thoughtful encounter with Balkan-Romanian heritage, history, and contemporary fashion.
Words by Donald Gjoka
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