Istituto Secoli

WHARTON EXECUTIVE MBA AT ISTITUTO SECOLI: REDEFINING THE MADE IN ITALY ECOSYSTEM

Matilde Capelli — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:21:20 +0000

Istituto Secoli had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Mae McDonnell and a delegation of students from the Wharton School Executive MBA program to its Milan headquarters, marking the conclusion of their Italian study tour dedicated to sustainability in the luxury sector.

After visiting some of the country’s most representative companies and brands, the group chose Istituto Secoli to explore a fundamental dimension of Made in Italy: the way in which skills, product culture, and the talents guiding its future are nurtured and developed.

The meeting, led by Gian Mario Borney (Research Coordinator and Lecturer at Istituto Secoli) and Lucio Marcucci (Senior Executive in the Fashion & Luxury sector), centered around a pivotal question:

What does the Made in Italy ecosystem actually produce today?

While the product remains the beating heart of the system—with an ever-increasing demand for sustainability, authenticity, and transparency—value is now also generated through experience, where manufacturing, locations, hospitality, and human relationships integrate in increasingly rich ways. The true distinctive strength of Made in Italy lies precisely in the synthesis of these dimensions, which are capable of transforming into elements of personal identity and a unique source of value for international consumers in the high-end segment.

The day concluded with a welcoming address from Matteo Secoli, President of Istituto Secoli.

A heartfelt thank you to Professor Mae McDonnell and all the Wharton School students for the energy, curiosity, and lively contribution they brought to our Academy.

AT LINEA PELLE 2026, ISTITUTO SECOLI PRESENTS THE CREATIONS OF ITS DESIGNERS

Matilde Capelli — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:12:36 +0000

From September 15 to 17, Linea Pelle returns to Milan to bring together international leaders in the fashion and leather goods sector: leathers, accessories, components, fabrics, synthetic materials, and design.
Once again this year, Istituto Secoli is participating in the Fair within the exhibition space of Piattaforma Sistema Formativo Moda ETS, which presents the projects and collections created by students and young talents from the schools taking part in the initiative.
For Istituto Secoli, this edition features Lorenzo Erbetta, Designer to Watch 2026, with an outfit from his thesis project: a collection that highlights research, design, and experimentation, creating a dialogue between creativity and technical expertise.
This is an important achievement for Lorenzo, who in the coming weeks will present his work on some of the most prestigious runways dedicated to emerging young designers.
Not only that: Istituto Secoli is also exhibiting three outfits from the “MATERIAL EXPERIMENTATION” collection, presented at the Secoli Fashion Show 2026, within the exhibition space Corium – PRODOTTI ALFA. The garments were designed by students Gaia Caminotto, Lisa Barban, and Elisa Renzo.
We are proud to support our students on their journey and to see their ideas transformed into concrete projects, capable of establishing themselves in the professional world and meeting the challenges of the fashion industry.
Congratulations to Lorenzo, Gaia, Lisa, and Elisa!

VERSACE AND THE ART OF READY-TO-WEAR PROTOTYPING

Matilde Capelli — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000

One of the most significant moments in the students’ journey is being able to put into practice the technical skills acquired through direct experiences with the excellence of the fashion industry.

As part of the final lessons of the Garment Prototyping course, Istituto Secoli students had the opportunity to explore the world of VERSACE, gaining insight into the know-how that characterizes the development and creation of the Maison’s Ready-to-Wear collections.

Through direct interaction with VERSACE professionals, students explored garment construction techniques, precision craftsmanship, and attention to detail that transform a creative project into a finished product.

From pattern development to the final stages of production, this experience enabled students to understand how technical expertise, craftsmanship, and creative vision are fundamental elements in creating high-quality garments.

Dialogue with leading companies in the sector represents a distinctive element of Istituto Secoli’s education, which continues to prepare the professionals of the future through direct engagement with the fashion world and by promoting technical knowledge, innovation, and the culture of Made in Italy.

Copia di VERSACE AND THE ART OF READY-TO-WEAR PROTOTYPING

Matilde Capelli — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:08:14 +0000

One of the most significant moments in the students’ journey is being able to put into practice the technical skills acquired through direct experiences with the excellence of the fashion industry.

BUILDING EXCELLENCE: ZEGNA AND THE ART OF PROTOTYPING IN CLOTHING

Matilde Capelli — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

One of the most rewarding moments of the academic year is seeing the students at our Novara campus bring their creations to life.

During an intensive session within the Fashion Product Prototyping course, our talents discovered how the careful selection of premium fabrics and artisanal mastery can transform a design idea into a truly extraordinary garment. Throughout this special project, students refined their skills by directly applying them to the creation of a tailored vest, carefully crafting and finishing every single detail of this iconic piece.

Experiences of this caliber, lived in close contact with the ZEGNA team, allow students to understand how the authenticity of a product stems from the brand’s founding values and the talent of those who create beauty—thread by thread, “from sheep to shop”.

By combining teaching excellence with direct experience in the fashion industry, we offer our students a vision of the highest level, allowing them to experience firsthand how dedication and artisanal mastery continue to shape the future of the fashion system.

ISTITUTO SECOLI BRINGS ITS KNOW-HOW TO JAPAN

Matilde Capelli — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

This July, Gaetano Currò, an expert Pattern Making instructor at Istituto Secoli, brought his experience to Secoli Japan, guiding students through an immersive journey dedicated to pattern making.

During the course, Gaetano accompanied students in practical activities, sharing his know-how and supervising their work to ensure the same high quality standards that characterize Istituto Secoli’s teaching method across all its campuses.

The experience represented an important opportunity for international exchange and skills enhancement, strengthening collaboration between Secoli locations and promoting knowledge sharing in the international fashion education landscape.

EXCELLENCE TAKES SHAPE: THE PROJECT WITH LORO PIANA

Matilde Capelli — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

As final exams approach, Istituto Secoli students are engaged in one of the most prestigious and educational projects of their journey: the creation of a double-faced cashmere coat, developed in collaboration with Loro Piana.

Every lesson represents an opportunity to refine highly specialized skills, from garment construction to hand-sewing techniques, and the attention to detail that characterizes the excellence of Italian craftsmanship.

This collaboration offers students the opportunity to engage with the high quality standards of one of the most important international luxury brands, transforming their education into a practical experience close to the professional world.

Seeing the garments take shape is a testament to the value of a path that combines talent, technique, and savoir-faire, preparing tomorrow’s professionals to preserve and innovate the tradition of Made in Italy.

ISTITUTO SECOLI AND TAIWAN GLOBAL PATHFINDERS: EDUCATION AND INNOVATION

Matilde Capelli — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

It has been an extraordinary experience to host 10 students from Taiwan over the past few weeks who participated in the Taiwan Global Pathfinders program, the flagship project promoted by the Taiwan Ministry
of Education.

The initiative represents a concrete investment in top young talent, centered on three fundamental pillars:

* Expanding international connectivity by strengthening academic and industrial networks worldwide, fostering international exchanges and the development of professional skills in international contexts;
* Promoting industrial innovation by inspiring young people to contribute to the growth of various sectors through creativity, entrepreneurship, and the capacity to innovate;
* Encouraging proactive engagement by providing participants with the tools to express their talent, creativity, and resilience in a global context.

The program combines educational activities with a busy schedule of visits to companies and production facilities of particular interest, with the aim of connecting students with the world of industry and innovation.

During their two-week stay at Istituto Secoli, students had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the technological innovations adopted by our Academy by participating in
a highly enriching practical experience. This program allowed them to develop professional skills with an international scope, preparing them to make a significant contribution to
global industrial systems and strengthening the dialogue between education, innovation, and the business world.

Browse the gallery showing the work they created at the Institute. Best of luck to all students for their future careers!

FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE FINISHED GARMENT: ISTITUTO SECOLI STUDENTS PERFECT THEIR JOURNEY TOGETHER WITH CANALI

Matilde Capelli — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:10:00 +0000

Among the most significant moments of the academic year is when projects take shape and the work done in the classroom transforms into real garments. In preparation for final exams, Istituto Secoli students are engaged in perfecting their creations, refining tailoring techniques, addressing construction challenges, and attending to every detail that characterizes the excellence of Made in Italy.

The exchange with the Canali team represents an important growth opportunity, allowing students to connect the training they have received with the high standards of Italian luxury menswear tailoring. An experience that offers a concrete perspective on the world of luxury menswear and enables them to consolidate fundamental skills through dialogue with industry professionals.

Watching garments take shape, phase after phase, means witnessing the synthesis of talent, dedication, and savoir-faire: values that accompany students on their journey toward their future career in the fashion industry.

ISTITUTO SECOLI WELCOMES A DELEGATION FROM THE JIANGXI INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY

Matilde Capelli — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:56:31 +0000

Last week, Istituto Secoli had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation of faculty members from the Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology to its Porta Venezia campus in Milan, as part of the international training program “Fashion Reconfiguration / Local Roots, Global Languages: Teaching the Value of ‘Made in Italy’ Through Product, Design, Culture and Experience”.

An initiative dedicated to exploring the Italian fashion industry in depth through a series of meetings, lectures, and firsthand accounts from professionals, managers, designers, and academics who contribute to defining the sector’s excellence every day.

The program offered participants an immersive experience in the Italian fashion system, exploring the value of Made in Italy not only as an expression of manufacturing quality but as a cultural heritage founded on research, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial skill.

Coordinated by Gian Mario Borney, Research Coordinator and lecturer at Istituto Secoli, as well as Strategist and lecturer at Bocconi University, the program involved key figures from the fashion and academic worlds, including:

Lucio Marcucci – Senior Executive in the Fashion & Luxury sector
Francesca Tongiorgi – Fashion & Luxury Brand Management Professional and Lecturer
Jacopo Politi – Head of Style at Borsalino
Bruno Landi – Member of the Board of Directors at Vitale Barberis Canonico
Arthur Arbesser – Fashion Designer
Luca Panetti – Procurement Manager
Giorgia Vergari – Brand Advisor and Marketing & Communications Consultant
Enrico Leonardo Fagone – Academic Director of Istituto Secoli
Caterina Di Giacomo – Director of Education and lecturer at Istituto Secoli
Gaetano Gurrò – Istituto Secoli lecturer and Patternmaking Area Coordinator
Giovanni Errico – Istituto Secoli lecturer
Domenico Civita – Istituto Secoli lecturer and Fashion Area Coordinator
Giorgio Secoli – Director of Fashion Industry Education and lecturer in Corporate Knowledge Transfer at Istituto Secoli
Antonella Andriani – Designer, Vice-President of ADI and Vice-President of BEDA
Andrea Pinotti – Professor of Aesthetics at the “Piero Martinetti” Department of Philosophy of the University of Milan
Giuseppe Gaeta – Director of the Academy of Fine Arts of Naples
Francesco Zurlo – Dean of the School of Design at the Politecnico di Milan
Roberta Andreetti – Designer specializing in luxury accessories and products
Gianluca Di Muzio – Architect and Full Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice
Matteo Secoli – President of Istituto Secoli

Through a rich program of meetings, in-depth studies, and discussions, the delegation was able to gain a firsthand understanding of the dynamics that make Made in Italy an internationally recognized model, exploring the relationship between product, culture, design, education, and innovation.

Special thanks also go to Francesco Fiordelli, Exclusive Italy Representative for CNGA and Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology, for the invaluable support and collaboration that contributed to the realization of this important international initiative.