Milano Unica and Mittelmoda Announce Winners of 32nd International Lab of Mittelmoda – The Fashion Award

The collaboration brings together textile research, material innovation and emerging design talent, with awards recognising creativity, craftsmanship and sustainability.

The 32nd edition of the International Lab of Mittelmoda – The Fashion Award showcased the work of 24 finalists on October 21 at Garage 21, as part of Milano Unica’s Tendenze presentation. The joint initiative of Milano Unica and the International Lab of Mittelmoda aims to support emerging designers and strengthen connections between the textile industry, education and research.

The awards recognised young designers across categories covering innovation, creativity, textiles, materials, sustainability and fashion accessories.

MU Metamorphosis Connects Textile Innovation with Emerging Talent

The collaboration reflects Milano Unica’s ongoing engagement with the Italian Textile Foundation and Confindustria Moda to introduce younger generations to product culture, manufacturing expertise and innovation.

This focus is also reflected in MU Metamorphosis, Milano Unica’s creative concept for the Spring-Summer 2028 textile and accessories collections. The concept explores transformation through the evolution of materials and techniques, responses to emerging needs, and the relationship between creativity and responsibility.

Its three themes—Lightwear, Handwear and Techwear—focus respectively on lightness, craftsmanship and technological innovation. Materials and their ability to adapt to change are central to the concept.

The partnership with Mittelmoda brings this approach into contact with emerging designers, encouraging them to reinterpret the knowledge and expertise embedded in the textile and fashion supply chain.

Industry Leaders Emphasise Research and Creative Development

Simone Canclini, President of Milano Unica and the Italian Textile Foundation, said:

“The future of our industry is built on the ability to connect industrial experience, research, and new creative skills. Milano Unica provides a unique platform for this dialogue, where the culture of product meets the innovation and vision of the younger generations. Our collaboration with the International Lab of Mittelmoda, supported by the Italian Textile Foundation, reflects our commitment to fostering this continuity. With MU Metamorphosis, we have chosen to interpret change as an opportunity for evolution, recognizing that the strength of our supply chain lies in its ability to renew itself while preserving its identity,”

Matteo Marzotto, President of the International Lab of Mittelmoda, commented:

“The creative potential of young talents is limitless, and Mittelmoda’s strength lies precisely in its ability to reinvent itself while continuing to serve as a significant showcase for international creativity. Once again this year, we were impressed by the great originality and diversity of the proposals submitted to the competition,”

The awards ceremony recognised the originality and experimental approach of the finalists, as well as their interpretations of changes taking place in the fashion industry.

Overall Award Winners

The principal awards went to designers from leading fashion and design institutions.

• Grand Prize for Innovation: Caterina Giovannelli Neumair — Institut Français de la Mode
• Grand Prize for Creativity: Elia degli Innocenti — Politecnico di Milano
• Press Jury Special Award: Davide Brüggisser — Institut Français de la Mode

The Grand Prize for Innovation was sponsored by the Italian Textile Foundation, while the Grand Prize for Creativity was sponsored by the National Chamber of Italian Fashion. The Press Jury Special Award was sponsored by the Italian Textile Foundation and the International Lab of Mittelmoda.

The press jury included journalists and fashion commentators representing publications such as Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, QN, MFFashion, Il Sole 24 Ore, Style Magazine, Io Donna and Il Mattino Padova, alongside independent commentators.

Industry Award Winners

The industry awards recognised work across apparel, footwear, leather, eyewear, textiles and sustainability.

The awards were sponsored by organisations across the Italian fashion and textile industries, including Confindustria Moda, Fondazione Tessile e Moda, MICAM, LINEAPELLE, MIDO, Milano Unica, Confindustria Toscana Nord, Confindustria Como and IdeaBiella.

Textile & Materials Award Highlights the Role of Fabrics in Design

The Textile & Materials Award, sponsored by Milano Unica, went to Annachiara Rabito of NABA. The award recognised the importance of textiles in the design process and their role in research, experimentation and innovation.

The Prato Circular & Sustainability Award, sponsored by Confindustria Toscana Nord, was awarded to Matilde Gori of Istituto Marangoni Florence, highlighting sustainability as one of the areas represented in the competition.

The collaboration between Milano Unica and the International Lab of Mittelmoda continues to connect established industry knowledge with emerging creative talent, providing young designers with opportunities to contribute to the development of the textile and fashion sectors.

Source: Milano Unica — milanounica.it