Our Story
Activism, Wool, and Education
The Beginning: A 19-Year-Old’s Journey
The story began in the summer of 2012. Tică Darie, then a 19-year-old Romanian student living in Copenhagen, cycled all the way from Denmark to Roșia Montană to raise awareness about a controversial gold mining project that threatened to destroy the village.
In 2013, at the age of 20, he returned on his bike. This time, he made a life-changing decision: he dropped out of his university studies in Copenhagen and moved alone to Roșia Montană. He chose to dedicate his life to fighting alongside the locals against the destruction of their home and to building a sustainable future for the community.
From Activism to Social Entrepreneurship
That winter, a pair of hand-knitted socks gifted by a local woman sparked an idea. Tică realized that the village could thrive through craftsmanship, not cyanide mining.
A simple picture posted on Facebook generated hundreds of orders in just a few days. What started as a small initiative helping 20 local women earn an income evolved into Made in Roșia Montană – today, a professional manufacturer of 100% Merino Wool clothing.
Investing in the Future: The Scouts
Our mission goes beyond clothing; we build character. Since 2013, Tică has been deeply involved in youth education. He founded the Local Scout Centre, part of the National Organization of Romanian Scouts and WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement).
The goal was to provide non-formal education and values to the children of Roșia Montană to become responsible citizens in the community. To this day, profits from Made in Roșia Montană support these educational activities.
Made in Roșia Montană Today
We are a community-driven ecosystem. We have transitioned from a strictly handmade operation to running our own professional tailoring workshop right in the heart of the village.
- Production: A workshop creating premium Merino wear (T-shirts, leggings, thermal gear).
- Retail: Physical stores in Cluj-Napoca and Roșia Montană.
- Global Reach: Shipping worldwide to customers who believe in our story.
A New Chapter: Restoring Heritage (2025)
We are rebuilding the village, brick by brick. Our commitment to sustainability includes saving the local architectural heritage.
We successfully restored a historic monument in the village center, and on February 6, 2025, we opened Bistro Roșia Montană. It serves as a vibrant meeting place for the community and visitors alike.
Visit Us
Whether you are in Cluj-Napoca or visiting the beautiful Apuseni Mountains, we welcome you to our physical stores to feel the quality of our Merino wool.
