The exhibition dedicated to the China–Italy Fashion & Art Exchange 2025 project opens on 20 May at Istituto Marangoni Milano’s campus in Palazzo Turati. The initiative saw five students from Istituto Marangoni Milano engage with the artistic and textile heritage preserved at the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou.

The project forms part of the celebrations marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and China and stands as an example of cultural dialogue between heritage and contemporary design.

From Beijing to Milan

The collaboration began in 2025 with a trip to Hangzhou by Ayda Mahdavi, Nadia Andreea Alecu, Wang Vige, Erez Bitton and Renato Caggiano, all students from the Fashion Design & Accessories programme at Istituto Marangoni Milano. Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang, is renowned for the picturesque West Lake, which Chanel chose two years ago as the backdrop for an iconic Métiers d’Art fashion show.

Within this context, and thanks to a partnership involving the China National Silk Museum, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, the Italian Consulate in Shanghai and China Central Television (CCTV), the young talents took part in creative workshops alongside their Chinese counterparts, visited local fashion companies and developed garments inspired by the cultural heritage of China.

The creations resulting from this exchange were first presented at the Silk Road Cultural Heritage Innovation Fashion Show in Beijing last October and are now arriving in Milan, where they will be exhibited from 20 May at the Palazzo Turati campus.

“Cultural Relics Activation”

In the hands of the students, the treasures of ancient Chinese tradition and fascinating materials such as silk take on a contemporary dimension, expressing the sensibilities of a new generation. The museum’s heritage is revitalised and transformed into a modern creative language through the concept of “cultural relics activation”. A process that reinterprets ancient symbols and motifs so today’s youth can embrace and wear them.

Students from the Milan school collaborated with peers and professors from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (ZSTU), an institution founded in 1897 in Hangzhou and renowned for its multidisciplinary approach that combines traditional Chinese aesthetics, contemporary design and technology. Experiences like these are essential for a well-rounded education.

A Deep Dive into the World of Silk

This was not merely an academic project, but an immersive experience centred around research, travel, discovery, and experimentation. The journey also introduced students to one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to silk culture.

Opened in 1992 and expanded and renovated between 2015 and 2016, the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou tells the story of silk in China and the artisanal techniques behind its production. It also hosts thematic exhibitions exploring the influence of silk over time, not only on fashion but also on literature, poetry, and art.

A Workshop Dedicated to China

At the opening of the Milan exhibition, two students — one from the Milan school and one from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University — will present their works and share the creative journey behind them.

Alongside the exhibition, a workshop entitled Decorating Chinese Costumes with World Patterns will take place on 22 May and will be open to 20 students, further expanding the dialogue between different cultures. Participants will receive cards featuring silhouettes of traditional Chinese costumesand will have 15 minutes to create and photograph compositions using the campus as a backdrop, before sharing them with fellow students to compare their inspirations and creative interpretations.