Polimoda hosts 'Fashion Displacement' forum on talent and industry change in Florence

Polimoda, the Florence-based fashion school, organized a forum titled 'Fashion Displacement' at Villa Favard to discuss the future of young talent in the fashion industry. Director Danilo Venturi and strategy advisor Linda Loppa convened experts including Carlo Capasa (president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana), Raffaello Napoleone (CEO of Pitti Immagine), Anja Aronowsky Cronberg (founder of Vestoj), Floriane de Saint Pierre (PR), Stefan Siegel (founder of Not Just A Label), and Jennifer Minniti (chair of Pratt Institute's fashion department). The debate addressed the shift from fast fashion to sustainability, the need for multidisciplinary skills versus specialized craftsmanship, and the evolving recruitment landscape. Napoleone highlighted the importance of the Milan-Florence-Rome triangle and defended Altaroma's role, noting that young designers from Who Is On Next? often struggle to scale. He stressed the need for continued support for Altaroma, led by Silvia Venturini Fendi. The forum also explored the A.I. Artisanal Intelligence project, which merges art, costume, and fashion. Alumni Martino Di Napoli Rampolla shared his experience of translating Polimoda education into a contemporary art and design space called Numeroventi in Florence, demonstrating flexibility and inventiveness. The event underscored that while talent is innate, not all fashion careers require it, and education must adapt to a fast-paced market.