What if you could globe-trot in minutes, uncovering today’s hottest emerging designers? Meeting them, diving into collections—no sci-fi, just reality.
From Milan to Mumbai, Shenzhen, Paris, London and Shanghai, and via Florence, 7 stellar Fashion Design grads from Istituto Marangoni’s global schools transcend space and time to converge. Now, they await you, dear creative community. Dive into ‘I AM AI’, Istituto Marangoni’s digital fashion experience—your new adventure in The Talent District, our metaverse revolution.
Like her fellow top Istituto Marangoni graduates, Najjar Tia from Paris utilised CLO 3D to digitalise her collection, while AI elevated it with breathtaking animations
As the name suggests, this experience has these trailblazing alumni infusing AI magic into their journey. While they have used CLO 3D to translate their collections into virtual format, Artificial Intelligence has amped them up with mind-blowing animations. Engage and witness outfits unveil amidst landscapes representing each graduate’s city—a continuously morphing result powered by AI tools going through iconic yet never mundane spots.
The AI-enhanced collection by emerging designer Jin Leiyao from Istituto Marangoni Shanghai
This tour’s just the beginning; surprises await. You won’t just be a spectator but an active participant called to interact and enjoy these collections. What are you waiting for? Register here by December 7 to come on board.
Now, we know it’d be awesome for you to dive deep into these collections and uncover their stories. The most rewarding part of finding fresh talent is engaging in conversation with them, right? Well, we’ve got you covered. Allow us to introduce you to these seven Istituto Marangoni Fashion Design grads from seven corners of the world. They can’t wait to share everything about their work – in an AI-powered way, of course. Ready to meet their avatars?
Artist Julijonas Urbonas to 1960s Bronx Hip-Hop, Space Age to Grunge. In Milan, Meet the Designer Riding the Wave of a Thousand Inspirations
“Hi, my name is Anezka Novackova, and I studied Fashion Design and Accessories.” A smooth, artificial voice kicks in. Donning her own creation, complete with a headpiece of vibrant locks, this talent’s avatar is all set to lead the way. “This project is inspired by an artistic study into a hypothetical artificial planet made up of human bodies by Julijonas Urbonas, which he presented at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale 2021.”
Urbonas’s research studio, the Lithuanian Space Agency, envisioned a fictional world crafted from 3D-scanned individuals. In the pavilion, a central 3D scanner transported visitors into space as digital simulations, coalescing into a new planet entirely made up of these digital counterparts.
“In his project ‘Planet of People’, Urbonas questioned the impact of colonising space, and he came up with the idea of making our own planet instead of trashing other planets without asking them. In this way, we would be more sensitive to how we care about an environment,” continues the avatar. “Assembling virtual 3D scans of visitors’ bodies, he questioned the meaning of human life on a planet where our bodies are just the building material. My collection was influenced by AI, the Space Age, grunge and Hip-Hop lifestyle in the Bronx in the 1960s. With the awareness of the pollution we are causing, I reused waste fabric from wholesalers and designers.”
In addition, Anezka Novackova’s colorus were influenced by AI artist Refik Anadol, symbolising the diverse personalities shaping our “Planet of People.”
Unleashing a Mind-Body Bridge in Florence
Where does reality end and perception begin? That’s the query that propelled Alessia Ancillotti into creating ‘Oltre’ (Beyond). “I wanted to create a bridge between body and mind”. The lifelike figure of this Istituto Marangoni Firenze graduate isn’t just chilling there – it springs to life, courtesy of the marvels of AI. “This collection is an invitation to follow your instinct and go beyond sensory and physical limits to focus on small things,” she says.
“I started from a colour selection characterised by deep blue tones, soft and undefined shapes reminiscent of water in its most abstract scenes,” Alessia Ancillotti’s digital counterpart adds. “These elements represent energy and life to me, and I wanted to emphasise them with manipulations. Finally, metallic parts add a sound element, and the collection culminates with optical prints that create a dimensional effect to represent the perpetual motion of life.”
A London-Based Creative’s Sustainable Collection Rooted in the Splendour of Jodhpur
“Hi, my name is Ummehani Kanchwala, and I come from India. Recently, I completed my studies at Istituto Marangoni London, where I explored the integrated world of Fashion Design.” The avatar in the spotlight rocks a sleek mane and sports a jacket that’s straight from the future.
“The ‘Blue City’ collection pays tribute to the radiant blues and angular geometry of Jodhpur’s architecture. Transcending trends and time, this collection effortlessly captures the beauty of timeless items and ideas,” she states.
The teachings embraced at Istituto Marangoni London fuelled Ummehani Kanchwala’s dedication to handcrafted, eco-friendly, and innovative design. That’s precisely why “form and functionality are at the heart of this sustainable, zero-waste line, creating modern silhouettes that are mindful of the materials used.”
“Employing the CLO 3D software, I was able to develop efficient designs that save fabric and construction time,” she concludes.
Be a Royal Farmer: Paris Unveils a Fresh Take on Jean de La Fontaine’s ‘La Cigale et la Fourmi’
“Hello, world. My name is Tia Najjar, a Lebanese fashion designer and Istituto Marangoni Paris alumna,” exclaims a fabulous gal sporting chic sunglasses against the backdrop of the iconic Tour Eiffel.
“Who are you, a farmer or a royal?” she challenges, infusing reflection into her collection ‘La cigale ou la fourmi’, inspired by Jean de La Fontaine’s ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper’. Here’s her solution: “Work hard, yet live generously. Get your shoes dirty, yet do it with style. Be a royal farmer.”
In her graduate collection, Tia Najjar masterfully blended opposites, revealing their deep ties to rural life. The ant embodies manual labour and clothing functionality, while the grasshopper bursts forth with vibrant colours in her designs. This vision materialises through voluminous bag-like silhouettes, patterns, and a harmonious fusion of futuristic and earthy tones and fabrics.
Shenzhen Mashup: When Gundam Meets Leigh Bowery, Inspired by Gaetano Pesce
“I was inspired by the 1994 Japanese animated TV series ‘Mobile Fighter G Gundam’. Compared to monotonous plastic toys, applying Gundam’s silhouette and design to clothing can make it more interesting.” This is how the digital alter ego of Gong Wenze, a graduate from Istituto Marangoni Shenzhen, spills the beans on his collection.
With his graduation collection ‘Titans’, drawing inspiration from the vibrant palette and futuristic, high-tech allure of Gundam, he embarked on a quest to fuse elements of this anime with human beauty. And he threw in a nod to Leigh Bowery’s avant-garde artistic flair. “I snagged the multi-saturation vibe straight from the artworks by the renowned Gaetano Pesce,” he reveals. “My goal was to merge subversive trends with avant-garde fashion, employing exaggerated silhouettes and wild colour combinations. Above all, [this collection] shatters the binary concept of gender, employing a dazzling colour palette as a disruptive twist. [...] In my view, fashion is freedom.”
Shanghai’s contemporary twist on Hippies and Punks
Behold, the digital manifestation of a gentle warrior stands before us. “Hello, I’m Leiyao Jin. This collection is called ‘Resist!’. For me, life 3.0 means a new era,” he declares, arms folded and draped in resilient khaki green.
“For the whole series, I refer to the two major rebel groups of the 20th century, the hippies and the punks, and distil their forms of expression in dress code and the influence their times had on them,” the avatar explains. “I crafted this collection by harnessing the stereotypes tied to rebels, intending to spotlight that the spirit of rebellion endures through time—and not every rebel is cast as the villain.”
According to the designer, the 3.0 era we’re living in symbolises a new age where technological progress and AI intersect with human society. However, he believes it’s crucial not to focus solely on the positive aspects of this evolution. Instead, he advocates for maintaining a critical mindset and considering the viewpoint of rebellious voices. Although often labelled as villains, these voices have consistently played a significant role in our social evolution by skillfully navigating through conflicts and contradictions.
In Mumbai, a Size-Inclusive Collection Exploring the Intricacies of Growing Up
“Hi, I’m Shreya. As a 20-year-old fashion design student, my journey into the world of design, creativity and beyond has been nothing short of thrilling.” This graduate’s photo steps up, brought to life by AI magic. “Exploring art, culture and literature alongside my studies has uniquely shaped my approach to fashion. For me, fashion is more than just clothing. It’s a canvas for self-expression and storytelling,” she goes on.
Her collection, Unread, takes cues from “the intricacies of growth and change, coupled with a nostalgic longing for the simplicity of childhood,” she reveals. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the creative process? Nailing the perfect balance between male and female elements within the collection.
“Additionally, perfecting patterns for plus-size models added a fulfilling layer to the journey,” as this animated portrait reveals.
Lucrezia Spina
MA student in Fashion Omnichannel & E-Commerce, Milan
