Ensemble: The Future of Fashion Takes the Runway in Rome

The fourth edition of ENSEMBLE was held at the Terrazza del Pincio in Rome. The project, promoted by the Department for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of Rome Capital, with the support of the Department for Economic Development, Trade, Craftsmanship, Industry and Internationalisation of the Lazio Region, is dedicated to strengthening the fashion ecosystem by fostering dialogue between education, creativity, craftsmanship and the profession.

The first of the two evenings was dedicated to the new generation of fashion talent, showcasing collections created by students from the Academy of Fine Arts of Frosinone, the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome, Accademia Italiana, Accademia Koefia, Accademia del Lusso, Maiani Fashion Academy, and the National Academy of Master Tailors. Together, they offered a compelling overview of contemporary fashion education, highlighting diverse creative approaches united by a shared commitment to research, quality and innovation.

From the Academy of Fine Arts of Frosinone, which presented Just Before, exploring the suspended moment that precedes every transformation through a dialogue between couture and streetwear, to the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome, which showcased a selection of twelve collections born from the intersection of visual arts, design and new technologies. Accademia Italiana presented AIdentities, a reflection on identity as an ever-evolving process, while Accademia Koefia unveiled Modamorfosi, a project that uses white as a design language to explore the transformation of contemporary fashion. Accademia del Lusso presented Libertà, a collection dedicated to the relationship between identity and creative freedom. Maiani Fashion Academy showcased Infinity, a journey shaped through handcraftsmanship, embroidery, upcycling and textile experimentation, while the National Academy of Master Tailors closed the evening with Cut From the New Side, a contemporary reinterpretation of the Italian tailoring tradition created by the Academy’s students.

Taking the stage were Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of Rome Capital, and Roberta Angelilli, Vice President of the Lazio Region and Councillor for Economic Development, Trade, Craftsmanship, Industry and Internationalisation, who reaffirmed the strategic importance of education and the fashion supply chain for the growth of both the city and the region.

“Young people are not only our future; they are our present, and they deserve to be supported through concrete actions. For the fourth consecutive year, ENSEMBLE has given hundreds of fashion students from seven public institutions and private academies in Rome the opportunity to showcase their work, free of charge, in some of the city’s most iconic locations. After Piazza del Campidoglio and Villa Borghese, this year we chose the Terrazza del Pincio. It was truly moving to witness the excitement of the students and their families. It is by no means a given that a public administration organises initiatives of this kind in such prestigious venues. Bringing academies together in shared projects for the benefit of students has become a positive and meaningful tradition, one that helps nurture emerging talent. Rome has once again become a key player on the international fashion scene, and we are proud of that. This is no coincidence, but the result of sustained commitment. We are seeing growing investment, increasing enrolment in fashion academies, and the return of major fashion shows to the city—from Valentino to Pucci, Dior to Dolce & Gabbana, Laura Biagiotti to Fendi, and now Chanel, which will stage its show in Rome on 2 December,” said Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of Rome Capital.