The usual Vogue Talents event dedicated to the international scouting of creatives and designers from the younger generation will be completely interactive. “The World of
The platform, sponsored by the City of Milan, will be available to access by invitation on 22 September, and will be opened to the international public from the following day. As it opens up to an increasingly widening audience, the location of this year’s event will be an imaginary building created exclusively for Vogue Italia by MONOGRID, divided into explorable thematic areas and designed as a symbolic venue for the initiative, which is entirely dedicated to emerging creativity. Through the use of creative techniques and 3D experiences, MONOGRID’s work has transformed the usual Vogue Talents event into an opportunity for digital interaction, giving its participants an innovative experience.
“In a time of radical disruption for the fashion industry, Vogue Talents is confirming its vocation for exploring new territory - in this case, digital. The building that Sara and her team have created represents a place of acceptance and inclusion, whose windows overlook a world of creativity that knows no geographical bounds or cultural barriers. For the past ten years, support for new talent has been an essential part of Vogue Italia’s DNA, along with its constant drive for innovation: the 2020 edition of Vogue Talents represents a perfect combination of these two aspects,” said Emanuele Farneti, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue.
“The support that Vogue Talents provides to the new generation of talent has always been boundless. During these months of rebirth, in order to take this opportunity to improve the world - the world of fashion and in general - our commitment meant that we had no option but to go beyond the limits imposed by the physical world and break into digital reality. The edition of the Vogue Talents event that we are opening certainly looks to be an unusual one, but our dedication to discovering new talents and promoting the new generation of creatives and their values remains unchanged, as does our unwavering focus on sustainability,” commented Sara Sozzani Maino, Deputy Director of Vogue Italia and Head of Vogue Talents.
The “Spotlight on Talents” section will feature a collection of contributions from next-generation designers selected by the international scouting of Vogue Talents: the collections on display will include those of Italians Alfredo Cortese, creator of AC9; Angostura by Giulia Tavani; Unusual 90-76 by a creative duo known only as 90 and 76, and Giuseppe Buccinnà, designer of the eponymous brand; Marco, by Brazilian Marco Ribeiro; Alled-Martinez by Spaniard Archie Alled-Martinez; Vaqar, designed by Iranian sisters Shirin and Shiva Vaqar; Arturo Obegero and Ernesto Naranjo, from Spain; Corban Harper, from the USA; and Shuting Qiu, from China, all creators of the brands that bear their name.
“The New Frontiers of Awareness” is the area dedicated to responsible commitment. Divided into two parts, the section consists of the work of ten creatives: Alice Potts and Edward Cuming (UK), Stefano Fiorina (Italy) and Duran Lantink (Netherlands), designers of their eponymous brands; Korean duo YoungShin Hong and SangLim Lee, of the brand young n sang; Piferi, designed by Italian Alfredo Casadei; the duo formed by Italian Elbio Bonsaglio and Spaniard Marta Sanchez Castañeda, who have dubbed their brand Kidsofbrokenfuture; Sevali by Sebastian Albornoz de Ruffray (Chile); Kassl Editions by Belgian creative director Ilse Cornelissens; KidSuper by Colm Dillane (USA/Ireland), and Mariam Al Sibai, designed by English sisters Mariam and Esme Al Sibai. The second part, which completes the area, has been entrusted to the creativity of Matteo Ward (of design studio WRAD) who, flanked by the artistic and graphic support of Sara Guazzarini, illustrates the fundamental importance of environmental responsibility, highlighting the issues related to the production surplus of the fashion system and the techniques that can be implemented to steer it down a more ethically sustainable path.
One of the new features of the usual event, added for the 2020 edition, is the section dedicated to the next generation of illustrators. Indeed, there is ample space devoted to the work of eight international creatives, all of whom have created exclusive artwork for Vogue Talents: Andrea Tarella and Paolo Eccher (Italy); Benedikte Kluver (Denmark); Carolina Raquel (Argentina); Oliver Cederquist (Sweden); Sasha Katz (Russia); Jack Taylor Lovatt (UK) and Cheyne Gallarde (Hawaii).
There are also two tailor-made areas dedicated to the publishing world of Vogue Talents. In “Exploring Talent”, visitors will be able to browse the scouting activities and social media content of @saramaino_, the Instagram account of Sara Sozzani Maino, Deputy Director of Vogue Italia and Head of Vogue Talents, dedicated to up-and-coming young creatives. Exclusive video contributions and interviews, along with a selection of Vogue Italia’s podcasts, will also be available in the section dedicated to publishing content.
The virtual building will also play host to the special projects and initiatives of Vogue Talents.
Some of the proposals which will take centre stage in the area dedicated to special projects will include:
“COLLINA BELLAVISTA ROUND AND ABOUT”, an initiative created in collaboration with the Bellavista brand and illustrator Paolo Eccher. The approach of historic Franciacorta winery finds a perfect partner in Vogue Talents’ search for creatives, resulting in a project based on looking to the future and investing in the search for beauty. The platform will allow visitors to explore the three artworks created for the Special Capsule of Franciacorta Grande Cuvée Alma Brut by Bellavista.
Creative duo Tomaso Anfossi and Francesco Ferrari, of design brand CO|TE, are behind “Passion”, a brand new Extra-Dark Double Chocolate version of the popular Grisbì biscuit. The two designers, whose attention to material choices for collections is one of the cornerstones of their approach to fashion, were chosen by Vogue Talents to put their spin on the packaging for the limited edition of Grisbì. The new pack, due to be revealed exclusively on the digital platform, will be on sale from October.
“Splendidi Splendenti” is the limited edition of the Professional 27 toothbrush by tau-marin, the work of Alessandro Enriquez. The designer, selected by Vogue Talents, has put the expertise of his international background to good use, offering five colours and pop graphics for the iconic tau-marin toothbrush, one of many great Italian products by Alfasigma, one of the leading Italian pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
Xiaomi is a partner of the first digital Vogue Talents event with a talk to be available on the platform dedicated to the theme of “Fashion and Technology”. In the dedicated area, visitors will be able to see a discussion between Emanuele Farneti, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue, Shou Chew Zi, President of International - Xiaomi, and Nicolò Beretta, designer for footwear brand Giannico, moderated by journalist Marco Morello.
The international initiatives include “Scouting for India”, a project developed by Vogue Talents in partnership with FAD - International Academy India - which is aimed at talented Indian designers and is now in its third edition. The finalists of the scouting initiative for the 2020 edition, selected from a vast pool of applicants, will be announced on 22 September.
“Scouting for Africa" is the project conceived by Vogue Talents and the African Fashion Foundation (AFF) with the support of the IFFAC to help propel the new generation of African designers. The African Fashion Foundation is a non-profit organisation that supports and promotes African designers by providing them with educational opportunities and guiding them through a comprehensive mentoring programme. The winners of the 2020 edition - the talents behind the Nigerian Emmy Kasbit and South African Rich Mnisi brands - will reveal their creations on the platform.
The highly-anticipated “Who is On Next?”, a project conceived and organised by Altaroma in collaboration with Vogue Italia, will be back for its 2020 edition. The contest provides a unique opportunity for next-generation designers who have an innovative and experimental approach to design, and after the final at Altaroma - held last 15 September - the public will finally be able to see the ready-to-wear collections created by Alexandre Blanc, Dima Leu and Francesco Murano, creators of their eponymous brands; AC9, designed by Alfredo Cortese; Dalpaos by Nicola D’Alpaos; Des Phemmes by Salvo Rizza; Gall by creative duo Justin Gall and Chiara Nardelli; Roi Du Lac, designed by Marco Kinlock; Vaderetro by Antonio D’Andrea and Hanna Marine Boyer; along with accessories from Iindaco by designers Domitilla Rapisardi and Pamela Costantini; Zeroundici eyewear by Daniele and Simone Testore; and Melip, by creator Melissa Tiatto.
International initiatives will culminate with the announcement of the finalists of “Vogue YOOX Challenge - The Future of Responsible Fashion”. Conceived by Vogue Italia and YOOX, this project aims to provide support and mentorship to designers, creatives and start-ups which, through innovative projects, have bravely decided to invest in a responsible, sustainable approach to fashion. Launched in February 2020, for Vogue Italia and YOOX, this project represents a challenge that must be faced in order to pave the way for a better future and raise awareness within the fashion system. Out of hundreds of applications received, only 12 finalists have been selected for the 2020 edition of the project, and they will be announced on 22 September.
Bonaveri created the 3D model of the mannequins of the "Spotlight on" area made from B Plast, a biodegradable biopolymer derived from sugar cane and painted with B Paint, a 100% plant-based paint which is also biodegradable.