Courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, London

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

The Face Magazine: Fashion’s Radical Revolution | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

At London’s National Portrait Gallery, the exhibition “The Face Magazine: Culture Shift” celebrates iconic fashion images and portraits from The Face, a pioneering youth culture and style magazine that has significantly influenced the creative and cultural landscape in Britain and beyond.

Catch The Face before it closes on May 18, and don’t miss your chance to dive into the wild, rule-breaking energy that defined decades of fashion, music, nightlife, and fearless print design. Think era-definin...

Courtesy of Mattia Maestri

6th December 2025

"FUTURA" Editorial featured on British Journal of Photography, photos byby Mattia Maestri

Fashionable dystopian
by Silvia De Vecchi

Editorial Bried and Bio

The mood board presents a hypothetical scenario that the photographer envisions for a new
generation of fashion players. These portraits capture the aesthetic essence of living in a
dystopian world. The atmosphere is gloomy, introspective, and isolated; the surroundings are
abandoned cities with a steel-cold, stormy atmosphere world on the brink of decay, yet not quite
there.
The shooting composition draws inspiration from sci-fi cinematography, blending various iconic
styles. It incorporates the groundbreaking minimalist visual approach and dramatic lighting of
Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" from the '60s, the androgynous look of the early 90s
mixed with
the noir and cyberpunk aesthetic of "Blade Runner" (evident in shots 1 and 2), and the futuristic
fashion design from Luc Besson's "The Fifth Element". A cultural crossover in a world where no
culture matters. A world of isolationism enhanced by a modest, silent, chaste look, contrasted by
grunge hair and nail art style. The outfits are in collaboration with lstituto Mrangoni London
fashion design graduates and jewellery designers.
Photo lighting and set design curated by Mattia Maestri.

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 10th December 2025

Will Sustainable Environmental Designers save the Earth? | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

New design students, listen Up! You hold the power to save the Earth!
Surfing sustainable design is no small feat. It demands more than just creativity; it requires a conscious effort to design with a positive impact on our environment. As you step into the world of design, remember that sustainability is not just a choice but an imperative.

You, as aspiring designers, are the torchbearers of this responsibility, shaping the future of design with a focus on sustainability. Get ready to explore...

@hayden_clay

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 10th December 2025

How 3D Artists Are Reimagining Design Futures | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

When it comes to digital innovation, it is essential for students to stay updated on the latest design trends. One noteworthy publication in this realm is “Dreamscapes & Artificial Architecture: Imagined Interior Design in Digital Art,” published by Gestalten.

Prepared to float through a world of imagination shaped by masters of digital design, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself asking, “Is it real?” The answer is yes—it is real, but only in the digital dimension.
This book offers a...

Courtesy by Marc Sweeney, product designer

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

Is storytelling your secret superpower in Product Design? | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Have you ever encountered a design that immediately captivated you with its form or material? Some product designers possess a unique talent for blending materials, visuals, and references, creating an indescribable attractive power.
Raised in a household fuelled by a passion for creation and craftsmanship, Marc Sweeney is one of these talents. With a multidisciplinary approach, he refined his vision during his MA in Product Design at Istituto Marangoni London, inspired by the Italian essence li...

@rickowensonline

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 10th December 2025

4 Coffee-Table Books to Embrace Your Dark Mood | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

As winter creeps in, London takes on that signature gloomy feel that you can’t quite get anywhere else. With the spooky season approaching, we’re all about dusting off our warmest clothes, finding cute cafés for pumpkin spice lattes, and spending a bit more time indoors, watching films or diving into a good book.
But there’s one mood that only a few truly experience in depth: the infamous “dark mood.” Instead of resisting it, why not embrace it and take a look at some books that match this feeli...

Courtesy of Dr. Vranjes Firenze

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 12th December 2025

Dr. Vranjes Firenze: Capturing the Soul of Florence Through Scent | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

What if a perfume could let you experience Florence itself? This is the essence of Dr. Vranjes Firenze, where fragrance becomes memory, emotion, and story. Each scent is crafted to capture the rhythm of the Italian city, from the crisp morning air to the golden glow of midnight. More than just perfume, it’s a journey through streets, gardens, and timeless Florentine rituals—an olfactory experience that rises above trends and labels.
Fashion Business student Gili Shvarzman experienced this philos...

Frank Lloyd Wrigh

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 10th December 2025

How can the future of office design enhance our workplace? | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Is the traditional office on its way out? Despite predictions of its demise, the office not only remains but also thrives.
Undoubtedly, it is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digital technologies that are reshaping work and workplace design. Automation and AI are changing job landscapes, making some roles irrelevant while creating new ones which require innovative design solutions. 
Meanwhile, WFH patterns, amplified by COVID-19, show a lasting shift towards remote work, highlighting t...

Courtesy of Istituto Marangoni London

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

How does a brilliant product design idea come about? | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Do we really need more products to evolve design? Or would it be better to focus on something else? And what is the secret behind the most perfect furniture?

During the London Design Festival 2023, Istituto Marangoni London hosted an event from the “In Conversation With…” series that brought together mavericks, experts and cultural disruptors to discuss the “Future landscapes” of interior design. 
On stage were three world-renowned designers: Giulio Cappellini, a prominent figure on the global...

Courtesy by Confindustria Federorafi and the Italian Trade Agency

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

Italian High Jewellery: Craft, Heritage and Global Luxury | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Is it the exclusivity of rare gemstones, the discreet prestige of a storied maison, or something more profound—an ever-evolving dialogue between heritage, innovation and meaning? High jewellery now transcends ornamentation, emerging as a medium of personal expression.
In an era when luxury clients seek substance over symbols, the international appeal of “Made in Italy” high jewellery lies in the stories that each piece tells, the values it embodies, and the emotional resonance it inspires.
These...

Courtesy by Mattia Maestry

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

Could reignited crystals craft a more brilliant future for fashion design? | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but can there be glittering alternatives that are equally kind to fashion and the environment?
Diamonds aside, the fashion industry is increasingly using crystals to create sparkling pieces, adorning garments, bags, shoes, and jewellery. Even in this glitzy market, the principles of waste reduction are crucial.
Since 1895, Swarovski has mastered crystal cutting and design innovation, earning recognition for its unique, collectable, limited-release item...

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

Grace Wales Bonner x Hermès: Redefining Menswear for 2027 | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

This October closed with the news the fashion world had been waiting for: British designer Grace Wales Bonner has been appointed Creative Director of Hermès menswear, becoming the first woman of colour to lead design at a major fashion house—succeeding Véronique Nichanian, who stepped down after a 37-year tenure.

 
Born in South East London to an English mother and a Jamaican father, Wales Bonner founded her eponymous label in 2014. Initially renowned for menswear, she launched a womenswear div...

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 12th December 2025

The Top 4 XXL Coffee Table Books to Sneak into Your Letter to Santa | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Ah, the festive season—when deadlines loom large for students, London’s streets shimmer with Christmas lights and the scent of mulled wine mingles with... stress. Yet, amid the chaos, there’s always room for a bit of indulgence. This year, why not ask for something truly spectacular? Forget the usual socks and pyjamas—instead, aim for a collection of XXL coffee table books that will elevate your interiors and spark conversation.
So, why wait? Let’s dive into the four most coveted coffee table bo...

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

Queen Elizabeth II’s language of fashion | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

On September 8, Her Majesty the Queen of England passed away, and her death also marked the end of an era of style. The Queen’s practice of using fashion as an impeccable symbol of power was remarkable. Her consistent, well-chosen wardrobe has often been described as an example of “sartorial diplomacy” to emphasise her use of fashion to express or even reinforce power. As a topic often analysed by design and styling students, let us focus on some of the details that famed Her Majesty in the fash...

Courtesy of V&A Museum

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

It’s not a bag, it’s a Birkin! But who was the woman behind the legend? | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

“It’s not a bag; it’s a Birkin” Sex and the City
It was August 2001 when, in an episode of Sex and the City, Samantha was told the immortal words: “It’s not a bag; it’s a Birkin.” As demand for the quintessential fashion accessory skyrocketed, people realised that the Hermès Birkin bag had become an icon. But who came up with Birkin? Who was the woman behind this most wanted fashion piece, and why was the Birkin bag named after Jane?

Jane Birkin (1946- 2023) was the woman who inspired the world...

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

Queen Elizabeth II’s language of fashion | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

On September 8, Her Majesty the Queen of England passed away, and her death also marked the end of an era of style. The Queen’s practice of using fashion as an impeccable symbol of power was remarkable. Her consistent, well-chosen wardrobe has often been described as an example of “sartorial diplomacy” to emphasise her use of fashion to express or even reinforce power. As a topic often analysed by design and styling students, let us focus on some of the details that famed Her Majesty in the fash...

Istituto Marangoni London

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 8th December 2025

Bianca Saunders: “From my studio-bedroom to the MET Gala” | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

“My grandma came from Jamaica, and my parents are third-generation Brits with a humorous Cockney background. The fusion of these two cultures grounds me to shape my identity as a designer.” London students make some noise for Bianca Saunders, a fresh name in the industry but already crowned as the most high-wattage star of British menswear.

With everyone now hailing her work, including Phoebe Philo, Saunders debuted in the fashion world without external funding just a few years ago. In 2018, sh...

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

The 4 Best Pocket-Sized Coffee Table Books for the Perfect Christmas Gift | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Here’s a fun fact: spend your days surrounded by students, and you’re bound to overhear some of the most disruptive, fascinating, and oddly specific conversations about the worlds of fashion and avant-garde design. Case in point: just the other day, I found myself nodding along to a spirited debate on whether a handbag can double as an art installation. (Spoiler: the answer is yes, but only if it’s impractical enough.)
It’s in this bubbling cauldron of creativity that the idea for this list of p...

Istituto Marangoni London

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

Nobody said it was easy, but I saw my collection on a runway | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

No doubt, London’s graduate fashion shows are where the city’s experimentation, radical creativity and innovative thinking meet. But what happens backstage as students get ready to hit the catwalk with their first collections? How do they feel? Are they scared, excited, nervous?

As the last Istituto Marangoni London graduate show came to an end, we caught up with our new Fashion Design Student of the Year, Hyun Jik Yoo from South Korea, to pick his brain on everything from the inspiration to th...

Courtesy of ©V&A

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

Africa Fashion | V&A Exhibition | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

The V&A Africa Fashion exhibition catalogue opens with an introductory poem by Bonnie Greer, playwriter, novelist and first woman of colour as Deputy Chair at the British Museum. She got the point framed in this article: visiting a fashion exhibition is an authentic and valuable experience for fashion students. Not only will visitors get a substantial dose of inspiration, but the quality of the content curated by industry experts could be an authentic reference for fashion students. But how do y...

Courtesy of the V&A ©

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

Sold-out sensation: Unveiling 'Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto' | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Only one name echoes in the fashion world, closely associated with jersey, the little black dress, N°5 scent, tweed, and the 2.55 handbag—Mademoiselle Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel.
As a visionary, she crafted her self-myth, laying the foundation for successful business branding long before the age of digital influencers. 
Coco Chanel was a legend and the epitome of elegance. A byword for one of the most successful fashion houses ever, she is now celebrated in the first UK exhibition at the V&...

Courtesy of the Design Museum

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

How Enzo Mari changed design forever | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

The Made in Italy brand needs no introduction, particularly within the design sphere. Among its many luminaries stands a post-war Italian design pioneer who tirelessly crafted over 2000 projects. He effortlessly navigated diverse fields, creating a wide array of items from furniture to children’s books, puzzles, and games. Moreover, through his concept of ‘Autoprogettazione,’ he empowered anyone to create their own furniture pieces. Who was this remarkable Italian designer? Enzo Mari.

Enzo Mari...

Courtesy of Gucci

ISTITUTOMARANGONI • 6th December 2025

What does London mean for Gucci Cosmos? | ISTITUTO MARANGONI

Are you planning to be in London during the December holidays? Why not seize the last opportunity to explore the intriguing connection between the city and the Gucci fashion house? Delve into the treasures concealed within the brand’s 102-year history at the immersive Gucci Cosmos exhibition held at 180 Studios in London. 

This exhibit is noteworthy not only because it showcases never-before-seen items from the Gucci archive and some of their most iconic pieces but also for providing insights...

Design Museum, Istituto Marangoni

Design Museum • 6th December 2025

Momentum: A Design Narrative by Istituto Marangoni London

Visit to discover thirteen Bachelor’s and Master’s graduate projects selected across the fields of product, jewellery and interior design.

The students have worked collaboratively throughout their degrees, bringing insights from their diverse backgrounds to a global round table. These projects present design solutions for modern society and forge new narratives within the creative industry.

Each project demonstrates a unique perspective on shared experiences and how the next generation engage...