Roma Designers in Hungary Build Fashion Line and Awareness
2021-12-25
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1A fashion company in Hungary wants to challenge centuries-old ideas about the country's Roma minority.
2Another goal of the company, Romani Design, is to make a place in the world of high fashion for this historically marginalized group.
3In 2010 when Erika and Helena Varga established Romani Design, they were clear about their goals.
4They want to use fashion and other arts to build social and cultural standing of the Roma community.
5They also want to re-establish Roma culture in modern terms.
6The two sisters spoke with the Associated Press in Hungary.
7"We were one of the first brands that actually gave the answer to how to rebuild (Roma) traditions in a contemporary, modern way," said Erika Varga, co-founder of Romani Design.
8The Roma are Hungary's largest minority.
9They represent as much as 10 percent of the population in the Central European country.
10Like other Roma throughout Europe, Hungary's Roma often do not have the same social and economic opportunities as others.
11They also face discrimination, segregation, and poverty.
12Present in Hungary since the 15th century, many Roma traditions run deep in the larger Hungarian culture.
13Yet many of their customs, occupations, and language have been slowly dying due to centuries of official and unofficial marginalization.
14Before starting Romani Design, the Varga sisters worked as jewelry makers and designers.
15But they said they still did not feel accepted into the larger society.
16Their work was not being accepted in the world of high culture.
17They also worried that valuable Roma traditions were being lost.
18Erika Varga said they want the social majority to get used to Roma as being part of the community and part of high culture.
19She said this was important because those of high social ranking in Hungary often decide, in her words,
20"who is valuable and what position they can occupy in the social" structure.
21Erika added: "We also wanted to communicate messages to our own community that we don't have to give up our traditional values."
22Romani Design creates clothing, jewelry, and accessories that show Roma culture in a modern way.
23They use many flowers and colors.
24And images of the Virgin Mary are common in traditional Roma clothing and old stories.
25Helena Varga oversees the design of their products.
26She said many of the dresses and accessories -- like jewelry, bags, and belts - show their lived experiences growing up Roma in Hungary.
27"When I design, I absolutely live my own Gypsy identity, and my roots are absolutely here in my heart and soul," she said.
28The term "Gypsy" for the Roma is seen as an insult in some places.
29However, it is commonly used by Roma in Hungary as well as Roma living in other places.
30"I've seen how (Roma communities) live, what they wear, what kinds of houses they live in..."
31Helena thinks of these memories and experiences when she designs something.
32Some human rights groups in Hungary push for the acceptance of Roma music and dance.
33However, the Varga sisters say that fashion is one of the most powerful means of changing the relationship between their culture and the rest of society.
34"Fashion -- the way we dress, the clothes we wear on our bodies --
35can send a message so fast and so intense that it reaches its target audience very, very quickly," Helena said.
36 "It's very effective."
37Most of the people who buy from Romani Designs are "people who want more from fashion," Erika said.
38She explained they want to "represent values that are important in their personal lives and communities, such as the values of multiculturalism."
39Six dresses by Romani Design are on display at an exhibition in the Museum of Applied Arts in Hungary's capital, Budapest.
40After being displayed, the new contemporary works will become part of the museum's permanent collection.
41This will secure their place for others to see and consider for generations to come.
42Judit Horvath is the head of the museum's contemporary design department.
43She says it is the mission of the museum to give shape and form to social problems.
44The Romani Design's appearance in the exhibition, she said, has done so successfully.
45Horvath said that in the exhibit the social problems that the museum wants to show are clear.
46"What is this problem? The conflict, fear, discord and anger that often exists between Roma and non-Roma communities," she said,
47 "...things that we wish were not there."
48I'm Caty Weaver.
1A fashion company in Hungary wants to challenge centuries-old ideas about the country's Roma minority. Another goal of the company, Romani Design, is to make a place in the world of high fashion for this historically marginalized group. 2In 2010 when Erika and Helena Varga established Romani Design, they were clear about their goals. They want to use fashion and other arts to build social and cultural standing of the Roma community. They also want to re-establish Roma culture in modern terms. 3The two sisters spoke with the Associated Press in Hungary. 4"We were one of the first brands that actually gave the answer to how to rebuild (Roma) traditions in a contemporary, modern way," said Erika Varga, co-founder of Romani Design. 5The Roma are Hungary's largest minority. They represent as much as 10 percent of the population in the Central European country. Like other Roma throughout Europe, Hungary's Roma often do not have the same social and economic opportunities as others. They also face discrimination, segregation, and poverty. 6Present in Hungary since the 15th century, many Roma traditions run deep in the larger Hungarian culture. Yet many of their customs, occupations, and language have been slowly dying due to centuries of official and unofficial marginalization. 7Before starting Romani Design, the Varga sisters worked as jewelry makers and designers. But they said they still did not feel accepted into the larger society. Their work was not being accepted in the world of high culture. They also worried that valuable Roma traditions were being lost. 8Erika Varga said they want the social majority to get used to Roma as being part of the community and part of high culture. She said this was important because those of high social ranking in Hungary often decide, in her words, "who is valuable and what position they can occupy in the social" structure. 9Erika added: "We also wanted to communicate messages to our own community that we don't have to give up our traditional values." 10Romani Design creates clothing, jewelry, and accessories that show Roma culture in a modern way. They use many flowers and colors. And images of the Virgin Mary are common in traditional Roma clothing and old stories. 11Helena Varga oversees the design of their products. She said many of the dresses and accessories -- like jewelry, bags, and belts - show their lived experiences growing up Roma in Hungary. 12"When I design, I absolutely live my own Gypsy identity, and my roots are absolutely here in my heart and soul," she said. 13The term "Gypsy" for the Roma is seen as an insult in some places. However, it is commonly used by Roma in Hungary as well as Roma living in other places. 14"I've seen how (Roma communities) live, what they wear, what kinds of houses they live in..." Helena thinks of these memories and experiences when she designs something. 15Some human rights groups in Hungary push for the acceptance of Roma music and dance. However, the Varga sisters say that fashion is one of the most powerful means of changing the relationship between their culture and the rest of society. 16"Fashion -- the way we dress, the clothes we wear on our bodies -- can send a message so fast and so intense that it reaches its target audience very, very quickly," Helena said. "It's very effective." 17Most of the people who buy from Romani Designs are "people who want more from fashion," Erika said. She explained they want to "represent values that are important in their personal lives and communities, such as the values of multiculturalism." 18Six dresses by Romani Design are on display at an exhibition in the Museum of Applied Arts in Hungary's capital, Budapest. After being displayed, the new contemporary works will become part of the museum's permanent collection. This will secure their place for others to see and consider for generations to come. 19Judit Horvath is the head of the museum's contemporary design department. She says it is the mission of the museum to give shape and form to social problems. The Romani Design's appearance in the exhibition, she said, has done so successfully. 20Horvath said that in the exhibit the social problems that the museum wants to show are clear. "What is this problem? The conflict, fear, discord and anger that often exists between Roma and non-Roma communities," she said, "...things that we wish were not there." 21I'm Caty Weaver. 22Justin Spike reported this story for the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. 23_________________________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25challenge - v. to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal 26marginalize - v. to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group 27brand - n. a category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name 28contemporary - adj. living or occurring at the same period of time 29segregation - n. the practice or policy of separating a race, class, or group from the rest of society 30accessory - n. an object or device not necessary in itself but adding to the beauty or usefulness of something else 31exhibition - n. an event at which objects (such as works of art) are put out in a public space for people to look at : a public show of something