Istituto Marangoni Supports Emerging Talent With The I’M Mentors Project

A top-ranking fashion institution with 9 schools worldwide, Istituto Marangoni places great importance on the value of mentorship and its power to impact students’ academic and personal journeys. At the world-renowned fashion school, students can rely on the support of prominent industry experts who have carved out a successful career in fashion, design and art.

Mentors serve as inspiring and supportive partners, empowering students to become careful listeners, curious inquirers, critical thinkers and active agents of their own learning as they explore future career paths.

With its recent I’M Mentors Project, Istituto Marangoni has selected a pool of the world’s most influential fashion and design experts to provide additional guidance, advice and support to emerging fashion talent, so as to help them set and achieve their career goals.

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Massimo Giorgetti, Istituto Marangoni Milano

Fashion Design Mentors at Istituto Marangoni Milano include one of the most promising young designers to come out of Milan, MSGM founder Massimo Giorgetti. After a two-year stint as creative director at Pucci from 2015 to 2017, the designer left the LVMH-owned fashion house to focus on his own burgeoning label. Since launching in 2009, MSGM has built cult status among a youthful fashion crowd and Giorgetti’s bold, technicolour prints became his signature. Today, MSGM collections are available at over 600 stores and e-commerce platforms worldwide, as well as flagship stores in the main international fashion hubs including Milan, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul.

Olivier Rousteing, Istituto Marangoni Paris

Fashion Design students at Istituto Marangoni Paris will be lucky enough to have fashion’s Wonder Boy Olivier Rousteing as their career mentor. Born in 1985, Olivier Rousteing has been Balmain’s artistic director for more than 10 years now. Combining his distinctive style with the house of Balmain’s legacy, he has skillfully risen to the challenge of creating a distinctive Balmain look. Rousteing studied Fashion at the Ecole Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in Paris and moved to Italy at the age of 18, where he worked for Roberto Cavalli for five years, growing from intern to designer of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections. At just 25 years of age, Rousteing was put in charge of the creative team, becoming one of the youngest designers in history to run a historic French fashion house. 

Related article: Balmain Celebrates 10 Years With Olivier Rousteing With A Supermodel Spectacular

Paul Andrew, Istituto Marangoni Firenze

Fashion Design students at Istituto Marangoni Firenze can draw on the expertise of British fashion designer Paul Andrew. A leading voice in the new generation of design talent, Andrew cultivated his expertise alongside Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Narciso Rodriguez and the late Alexander McQueen. Andrew was named creative director of all Salvatore Ferragamo product categories in 2019. His work is at once daring and pragmatic, balancing luxury with sustainability and environmental consciousness, craftsmanship with the latest materials and technologies. His passionate work ethic, dedication to brand building and entrepreneurialism have earned him critical praise and respect internationally.

At Istituto Marangoni London, Fashion Styling & Creative Direction students will not get caught unprepared as they transition into the industry with Katie Grand as their mentor. A highly regarded stylist and creative consultant, Grand is working on some of the most style-defining shows and advertising campaigns of recent years. She is also senior contributing fashion editor of Interview Magazine, contributing fashion editor of GQ, and regular contributor to Vogue Paris, Vogue Japan, and Vogue Homme International. Katie has recently set up the new content agency and magazine The Perfect Magazine In addition to her previous role as editor-in-chief of LOVE Magazine, the biannual Condé Nast style title she founded in February 2009.

Through this first-class mentorship project, Istituto Marangoni also renews its commitment to enhance talent worldwide by partnering up with contests including Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award. Now in its 8th year, the Award was started as an initiative to spotlight and uplift the best of new design talent in the region. This year’s winner was fashion designer Justin Chua, who came up with a unique selection of transformative, multipurpose garments advocating conscious consumerism. Along with his cash prize, Chua received a scholarship to further his Master’s degree at Istituto Marangoni, where he will be able to hone his talent and broaden his opportunities to take on the fashion world.

Watch the interview video with Justin here.

Related article: Justin Chua Is The Winner Of Harper’s BAZAAR Asia NewGen Fashion Award 2021