Istituto Marangoni
The new wave of young aspiring fashion designers may find it an exciting world out there in the fashion industry, attracted by the glitz and glamour. However, it’s easy to forget that there’s a large business and industrial side accompanying the creativity flair. Studying to become a fashion designer may have its attractions, but when young and excitable, one might not know the best direction to take.
The Marangoni Institute prepares such interested and excited individuals for the fashion industry. Taking core values from it’s Italian roots, the school applies an old-school approach of teaching where students go through all forms of the fashion design process. Built upon the foundation of the Italian fashion industry, the school aims to equip their students with the skill sets to best prepare them for their careers.
The school believes that design must be considered. From the initial idea, through to the communication process. It therefore provides necessary tools to students in order to be able to express themselves creatively.
It endeavors to equip its students with the broad skill sets required by fashion brands and industry alike. Preparing them to be ready to hit the ground running wherever they go – helped by a 6-month placement at various brands closely tied with the fashion school.
Speaking with Director of Education, Adrien Parry Roberts, he explains how they don’t expect students to have the skills when they start. “We follow the Italian system to fashion education which is to teach from the beginning. They don’t need to have had fashion experience. We teach them to be industry ready. We want the students to think and learn the basics. They will learn from history of art, including costume while being taught how to use fabric in various ways. Our courses are founded upon the core roots of the Italian industry. We encourage students to be very much hands on and to be prepared to experiment.”
Professionals within the industry have been drafted in as teachers and mentors to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. The students train in pattern cutting, sewing, fabric manipulation – incorporating all aspects of the design process. The facilities offer professional grade equipment such as the first floor sewing room. Of course there are the de rigueur computer suits with an army of Apple Macs, as well as photo studios, but the onus still remains on being able to draw, cut and sew.
Expectations of employers nowadays is so high that the requirements needed to seamlessly fit into a design studio are ever more crucial. The Marangoni Institute do well then to utilise their ties to brands within the industry, and organises internships that give their students the best possible preparation for stepping into full-time work.
With only 20 students per class there’s a generous amount of mentor to student time that allows for good nurturing of talent and honing in on skills that suit the individual in their progress. The physical spaces are either glass walled or open shared workspaces.
Don’t be surprised if a lot of the future fashion industry talents will come through the doors of the Istituto Marangoni. The Italian model for fashion education is steeped in rich history that it’s practically inevitable to produce talents that will serve the industry well.
