ITS Arcademy in Trieste Marks Three Years as Innovative Fashion Institution

ITS Arcademy, located in Trieste, Italy, has completed its first three years as a cultural institution that redefines fashion beyond traditional museum categories. Founded by Barbara Franchin, who also established ITS Contest in 2002, the institution operates as the Museum of Art in Fashion. It opened on April 18, 2023, in the historic Palazzo della Cassa di Risparmio in central Trieste. The venue serves as an evolving archive housing 15,000 portfolios from over 80 countries, along with garments, accessories, jewelry, and photographic works. ITS Arcademy originated from the two-decade-old ITS Contest, which has identified emerging talents like Matthieu Blazy (now creative director at Chanel) and Demna (creative director at Gucci), as well as independent designers such as Maiko Takeda, Justin Smith, and Thomasine Barnekow. The institution's inaugural exhibition, 'The First Exhibition – 20 Years of Contemporary Fashion Evolution,' was curated by fashion historian Olivier Saillard. Current programming includes 'Exposure – Il potere di essere visti, da Harry Styles a Lady Gaga,' curated by stylist Tom Eerebout, alongside 'Rise and Shine,' featuring winners of the 24th ITS Contest 2026. Previous exhibitions have included 'Fashionlands – Clothes Beyond Borders' and 'The Many Lives of a Garment,' both co-curated by Saillard and philosopher Emanuele Coccia. The institution also engages in educational initiatives, offering programs for schools, families, professional courses, interdisciplinary workshops, and creative team-building activities. ITS Arcademy's name derives from a neologism combining academy, archive, and ark of creativity, reflecting its mission to preserve innovative ideas. The institution receives approximately 1,300 applications annually and currently selects 10 winners for monetary awards, museum exhibition, residency, and mentorship programs in Trieste.