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Knitwear has become a field of experimentation for second-year students of the Master of Arts in Fashion Design & Innovation, who are tasked with designing garments using one of the most pivotal techniques in contemporary fashion.
Creativity, adaptability, and inclusivity are the key words defining today’s knitwear. Yet at its core lies sustainability. Knitwear is an extremely versatile universe: it moves with the body, complements a range of silhouettes, adapts even to complex designs, and celebrates individuality. These elements are deeply aligned with contemporary sensibilities but require solid technical expertise, built through hands-on experience and mentorship from leading professionals. That’s why second-year Master’s students in Fashion Design & Innovation at Istituto Marangoni Milano have been given an ambitious challenge: to design a knitwear collection rooted in strong values. From eco-friendly materials and processes to gender-fluid design, their creations must embody a conscious approach and carry authentic meaning for those who wear them.
Marco Rambaldi and the «Threads of Identity» Project
Ambitious goals call for inspiring guidance. Leading students through this creative project, evocatively titled « Threads of Identity », is designer Marco Rambaldi, who has made knitwear a true stylistic language. Born in Bologna, Marco founded his eponymous brand in 2017. Having him as a mentor represents a valuable opportunity for young designers to engage with a vision that balances technique, identity, and ethics. Rambaldi’s insight will help them combine technical mastery with aesthetic sensibility, equipping them to create knitwear for a generation of consumers who value craftsmanship, ecological awareness, and inclusivity when choosing what to wear.
The Mid-Term Review
The project kicked off last November and is now entering its first evaluation phase: the mid-term review. This crucial checkpoint comes before the final delivery, scheduled from February to March. During these weeks, students refine their designs and add finishing touches, grow more skilled and confident with every detail.
Craftsmanship and Sustainability
Marco Rambaldi often reminds us that « craft culture is a specific heritage and the foundation of my work. I believe that the only way to make a difference is through personal, innovative, and social commitment. Sustainability is a necessary condition of our daily creative process. We actively adhere to the principle of “zero waste” ».
Fabrics and leftover yarns from industrial production find new life through sustainable processes, becoming tangible examples of respectful fashion. « In particular, crochet—because it’s free from the constraints typical of industrial processes, especially in knitwear—allows us to create unique garments and accessories from the remnants of our own production », he adds.
Knitwear: A Rediscovered Art that Has Become Essential Today
« Knitwear is a fundamental pillar of today’s fashion. On the runway, it’s become a true protagonist, » explains Carlotta Sadino, Programme Leader of the Fashion Design Masters. « Our Master’s in Fashion Design for Knitwear Innovation combines creativity and technical learning, allowing students to grow professionally alongside industry leaders ».
Even Jonathan Anderson introduced a series of knit creations for Christian Dior’s haute couture show—a technique rarely explored in couture—featuring sculpted forms that draped softly from the shoulder or were knotted at the front. These striking pieces signal a bold and welcome evolution for knitwear.
It’s no wonder that more aspiring designers are turning to knitwear—to master the art of “composing melodies with yarn” and give voice to a craft that resonates with rhythm, poetry, and identity.
