In today's article, part of the #MusaideVizitat / #MustVisit Campaign, Ioana Buru, the one behind the wonderful photos you'll find here, and I invite you to discover FIOR studio, a place where time seems to stand still somewhere in those days when patience, the love for the roots and craftsmanship were not virtues but the norm.
This week, I had the joy of sharing a virtual coffee with Loredana, founder of FIOR studio, my Buru. Even though I’m far from Romania, seeing Loredana’s studio through my screen felt like stepping right inside: the windows that led the sun to flood the space, the original fireplace, the wooden floors, every Romanian traditional detail… and, of course, Loredana’s sublime vases.
And because tomorrow, December 1, is Romania’s national day, I couldn’t imagine celebrating it any other way than by honouring the exceptional Romanian women we are lucky to have.
There is a raw, unmistakable beauty in the objects that come to life through their hands, as well as an equally profound beauty in the women themselves. Their creations transcend time and trends, inviting us to slow down, to observe, and to appreciate what is truly meaningful in a world overflowing with kitsch, mass-market items, and noise and chaos of all kinds.
In the lines below is a conversation with Loredana about the meaning of life and about creating intimate dialogues between clay and traditional materials, such as wool or straw. Raw beauty and endless inspiration.
We conducted our first interview back in August 2022, when your brand Wear Fior was still unfolding. Tell me, please, who was Loredana back then, and who is she now? How has your work shaped the woman you’ve become?
Time flies indeed... My current life is completely different. First of all, I have met the man of my dreams, and we got married in 2024, a thing I have never dreamt of. Finding love again and building a healthy relationship brought me more serenity and confidence in pursuing the next step in my artistic journey. Ceramics came into my life by mistake. Feeling amazed by how I can transform a piece of clay tamed by my hands, I decided to go fully into this incredible craft.
During 2022 I was dealing with sadness and loneliness after an intense breakup, but somehow I have never lost my confidence and faith. As context, I have always questioned the meaning of life and tried to find my own place. Along the way, I experimented with sociology, cultural management, calligraphy, art history, textile painting and set design, all the while feeling a sense of unease and fearing I wouldn't find inner peace. My work taught me discipline, perseverance, patience, to respect my pace and never compare myself to other people.
“Fior” is a Romanian word that gives me chills, and it makes my mind think that something called this way must be something truly personal and with a deep connection to one’s emotions and thoughts.
You previously created Wear Fior, and now you have established Fior Art Studio. What does this word mean to you, and what do you want to convey with it?
FIOR is a simple, yet powerful Romanian word that helps me visualise an emotion in a ceramic piece. It is like an invisible thread between my roots, my countryside memories, and my search for a new meaning.
Fior Art Studio is your newest creation. Tell me about the journey, the story behind what we see today in the studio and the ceramic items.
It is more an extension of who I am now. Clay reminds me daily to remain humble and present, to acknowledge my values, my ancestors, what the earth meant to them, and what it means today. When I found ceramics, it felt so right to me. I did not overthink; I just did it. I do believe actions create energy, and energy creates inspiration.
It's addictive. If you ask my husband, he will probably say I am a bit obsessed. I adore the process and being in the studio.
I went to the ceramics school in Tuscany, then to a workshop in Japan. This was followed by two additional courses in Bergamo and Athens. A vision gradually took shape that helped me have a clear direction in how I want to approach clay.
In September 2025, I launched my first ceramics collection (mostly vases and bowls), which honours simplicity, the circle of life, nature, rural memories, and the fragility of life.
I try to create intimate dialogues between clay and traditional materials, such as wool or straw.
Speaking of your studio… it is such a beautiful space: the doors, the old floors, the high ceilings… I’m in love with all of it. What does this studio make you feel, and what do people experience when they step inside?
My studio is based in central Bucharest in a 1930s building. It has character, featuring original elements like patinated wooden floors, wide windows, and charming architectural details. It became a co-creator in my process; that's why I have decided to organise an offline event here, called Open Doors Studio, 3–4 times per year. A different meet-and-shop vibe.
I am keen on people visiting the studio and having a visual and tactile experience. Collecting a handcrafted ceramic piece means you respect the craftsman and the woman behind it, and you offer continuity in your home, in your heart.
You’re preparing a new collection. What inspired it, what makes it special, and how can people purchase a meaningful Christmas gift for their loved ones?
It is surreal and exciting. I am truly grateful to be able to transform Earth into timeless pieces. The second collection launches on the 6th-7th of December at the studio, with around 70 pieces that combine functionality with uniqueness.
To get the full details, I invite all interested in ceramics and my work to subscribe to my website, fiorstudio.com.
Between the 8th and 12th of December, the website is updated with the pieces remaining after the Open Doors Studio event available to purchase online for a couple of days only. Then I close the shop to allow for better concentration on developing the next collection.
You already know how deeply I believe in the beauty of handcrafted Romanian pieces: clothing, ceramics, jewellery, and paintings. In a world that often feels overwhelmed by the fake, the kitsch, the low-quality, the loud, the rushed, and the uninspired… how does Loredana, through Fior Art Studio, bring something better into society? How do your creations contribute to a more beautiful, grounded, and meaningful world?
I appreciate that, Raluca. We need this kind of commitment!
It is a noble question, but honestly I never think of changing the world. I am more focused on constantly evolving, on being kind, loving and supportive, and if this can be helpful or bring meaning to others, it is already a great source of change. I believe more in a result of who I am, of how I choose to do things, rather than having this topic on my agenda.
In my work, creating handcrafted ceramics in a way that elevates myself, I will be able to create a door for other people. And that door always opens inward.
PHOTOS: Desene cu lumina
