DATE: 24th October 2024. PLACE: Room 398. TIME: 15.30

he Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) Graduate Fashion Show 2024, titled “IED Avant Défilé” in Milan and “Fashioners of the World” in Barcelona, was a vivid exploration of "design as a way of life." Moving away from traditional catwalks, the Milanese showcase at Palazzo Giureconsulti utilized static installations and live performances to create an immersive "dialogue" with the city. Marco Servedio emerged as a technical powerhouse, winning the Fashion System Award for his collection “3K.” Inspired by his father’s work in construction, Servedio elevated industrial safety gear into high-fashion silhouettes, utilizing high-performance Majotech fabrics, LED integration, and solar panels to transform utilitarian uniforms into protective, high-visibility couture.

The show further pulsated with emotional and environmental narratives through the award-winning works of Emma Baroni and Matteo Gagliano. Baroni’s “Je vois encore” captured the Press Award with its tactile, sensory tribute to the craftsmanship of the Trentino valleys, while Gagliano’s “Circadian Rhythm” took home the Public Award for its dreamlike exploration of the night, featuring raw sheep’s wool and intricate damask. Meanwhile, on the international stage, Andrea Cella redefined "Performance Wear Couture," winning the YKK Prize for garments that cleverly morphed from protective shells into backpacks. From Alessia Ferrucci’s ennobling of domestic labor to Jaime Naddaf’s "The Office" winning the Fashion Talent Award in Madrid, the IED 2024 cohort proved that the future of fashion is a sophisticated blend of social responsibility and subversive aesthetic power.