MILANO UNICA and INTERNATIONAL LAB OF MITTELMODA – THE FASHION AWARD
The metamorphosis of materials meets the talent of the new generations
Textile research, innovation, and the creativity of the new generations come together in the joint initiative of Milano Unica and International Lab of Mittelmoda – The Fashion Award, renewing their commitment to supporting young talent and fostering the skills that will shape the future of the fashion industry.
The 32nd edition of the International Lab of Mittelmoda, held on October 21 at Garage 21 as part of the Milano Unica’s Tendenze presentation, showcased the collections of 24 finalists selected through the international competition dedicated to discovering and promoting emerging creative talent.
The event is part of the ongoing dialogue between industry, education, and research that Milano Unica, together with the Italian Textile Foundation and Confindustria Moda, promotes through initiatives aimed at introducing new generations to product culture, manufacturing excellence, and innovation.
This dialogue is also significantly reflected in MU Metamorphosis, Milano Unica’s new creative concept for the Spring-Summer 2028 textile and accessories collections.
At the heart of the concept is the idea of transformation: the ability to evolve, reinterpret materials and techniques, respond to emerging needs, and envision a future in which creativity and responsibility go hand in hand.
The three themes of MU Metamorphosis, Lightwear, Handwear, and Techwear, explore, respectively, lightness, the value of craftsmanship, and technological innovation, placing materials and their ability to adapt to change at the heart of the creative process.
It is precisely from this perspective that the collaboration with Mittelmoda takes on special significance: research into materials meets the vision of younger generations, who are called upon to interpret and transform the wealth of knowledge and expertise embedded in the textile and fashion supply chain.
“The future of our industry is built on the ability to connect industrial experience, research, and new creative skills. Milano Unica provides a unique platform for this dialogue, where the culture of product meets the innovation and vision of the younger generations. Our collaboration with the International Lab of Mittelmoda, supported by the Italian Textile Foundation, reflects our commitment to fostering this continuity. With MU Metamorphosis, we have chosen to interpret change as an opportunity for evolution, recognizing that the strength of our supply chain lies in its ability to renew itself while preserving its identity,” said Simone Canclini, President of Milano Unica and the Italian Textile Foundation.
“The creative potential of young talents is limitless, and Mittelmoda’s strength lies precisely in its ability to reinvent itself while continuing to serve as a significant showcase for international creativity. Once again this year, we were impressed by the great originality and diversity of the proposals submitted to the competition,” commented Matteo Marzotto, President of the International Lab of Mittelmoda.
The awards ceremony celebrated the originality of the proposals, their experimental spirit, and the ability of young designers to interpret the transformations taking place in fashion through contemporary languages.
The Grand Prize for Innovation was awarded to Caterina Giovannelli Neumair of the Institut Français de la Mode, while the Grand Prize for Creativity was awarded to Elia degli Innocenti of the Politecnico di Milano.
The Special Press Award, sponsored by the Italian Textile Foundation and the International Lab of Mittelmoda, was awarded to Davide Brüggisser of the Institut Français de la Mode, highlighting the importance of dialogue between creativity, industry, and communication.
Of particular significance is the Textile & Materials Award, sponsored by Milano Unica, which was awarded to Annachiara Rabito of NABA. The award underscores the fundamental role of textiles in the creative process and their potential as a tool for research, experimentation, and innovation.
The collaboration between Milano Unica and the International Lab of Mittelmoda reinforces a shared vision: to build on the industry’s wealth of knowledge, foster its transmission to new generations, and create concrete opportunities for young talents to contribute to its evolution.
Because the future of fashion also depends on our ability to transform what we know into what we can still imagine.
WINNERS OF THE 32nd EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LAB OF MITTELMODA – THE FASHION AWARD
OVERALL AWARDS
Grand Prize for Innovation
Sponsored by the Italian Textile Foundation
Caterina Giovannelli Neumair – Institut Français de la Mode
Grand Prize for Creativity
Sponsored by the National Chamber of Italian Fashion
Elia degli Innocenti – Politecnico di Milano
SPECIAL AWARD
Press Jury Special Award
Sponsored by the Italian Textile Foundation and the International Lab of Mittelmoda
Presented by: Gianluca Bauzano – Corriere della Sera, Laura Asnaghi – La Repubblica, Antonio Mancinelli – QN, Tommaso Palazzi – MFFashion, Chiara Beghelli – Il Sole 24 Ore, Michele Ciavarella – Style Magazine, Bruna Rossi – Io Donna, Roberta Paolini – Il Mattino Padova, Letizia Schaetzinger - @letizianews, Gianluca Cantaro - @cantaro_san, Ida Galati - @lestanzedellamoda, Hydra - @hydramustdie
Davide Brüggisser – Institut Français de la Mode
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Menswear & Womenswear Award
Sponsored by Confindustria Moda – Fondazione Tessile e Moda
Anna Mignolli – Carlo Secoli Institute
Shoes Award
Sponsored by MICAM
Lorenzo Antonio Petrone – Costume and Fashion Academy
Italian Leather: A World of Creativity and Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Lineapelle
Benedetta Boidi – Costume and Fashion Academy
Eyewear Award
Sponsored by MIDO
Emma Gerlin – ITS Cosmo Academy
Textile & Materials Award
Sponsored by Milano Unica
Annachiara Rabito – NABA
Prato Circular & Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Confindustria Toscana Nord
Matilde Gori – Istituto Marangoni Florence
ComoON Award
Sponsored by Confindustria Como
Ella Gödecken – Institut Français de la Mode
Ideabiella Young Creativeness Award
Sponsored by Ideabiella
Ariadna Jimenez Florida – LCI Barcelona
Linen Award
Sponsored by Confindustria Moda – Textile and Fashion Foundation, Linen Section
Elia degli Innocenti – Politecnico di Milano
For additional information:
Milano Unica Press Office tel. +39 02 6610 1105
Alessandra Ardenzi mob. +39 335 677 46 20
Daniela Scardi mob. +39 3661964979
