Makecampus: fashion is reborn far from the big cities

In the heart of Tuscany, among the hills of Cetona, the Makecampus training project was born, high-level training academy in the fashion and design sector for young talents who wish to pursue a career in the world of luxury and creativity. Born from the belief that Italian fashion must continue to stand out on the international scene through a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.

The opportunity for young talents

Every year, Makecampus offers fourteen students access to "an excellent nine-month training program, fully funded by the awarding of scholarships worth 20,000 euros each," says Simona Lombardi, board member of Antonio Lombardi and Magister Group. The training program is developed through theoretical lessons, practical workshops and constant interaction with industry professionals. The teachers include experts from Italian and international universities, as well as managers and designers who have collaborated in the past with fashion houses such as Ferragamo, Moschino, Valentino and Max Mara .

A complete training, from conception to realisation

Makecampus aims to offer students a "well-rounded preparation, which encompasses both creative and technical and managerial aspects" , says the director of the academy Marco de Micheli. The study plan is divided into four fundamental macro-areas: Culture, Design, Laboratory and Management. If the cultural area "includes courses in fashion anthropology, costume history and sustainability, allowing students to understand the historical and evolutionary dynamics of the sector" , the section dedicated to design provides "skills in fashion design, digital design, textile product science and knitwear design, with a particular focus on product development in both Italian and English" . The laboratory area allows students to acquire "practical skills in 2D/3D CAD modeling and tailoring, training professionals capable of translating creativity into concrete products" . The managerial area - for which Makecampus avails itself of the support of SDA - Bocconi University -, prepares students "to face the challenges of the market through the study of business strategy, marketing and supply chain", concludes the director.

In January 2025, Makecampus hosted an exclusive series of seminars with some leading figures in the fashion and design sector - including Antonio Mancinelli, Grazia D'Annunzio, Ferruccio Laviani and Rossella Jardini -, who shared their experience and vision of the sector with the students. The topics covered ranged from the history of Made in Italy to the evolution of design, up to strategies for addressing the ecological transition and new economic models.

The campus is "an experience of life and growth"

The training program takes place in the historic village of Cetona, in the province of Siena, offering students "a stimulating and immersive environment" , says Simona Lombardi. The possibility of living and studying in such an "enchanting" place, she continues, fosters "creativity, aggregation and the exchange of ideas, transforming the academic experience into a path of personal and professional growth, focusing on teamwork, time management and flexibility, essential qualities to emerge in a constantly evolving sector" . Makecampus has "a 100% employment rate for its students" , thanks to the collaboration with numerous companies in the fashion sector. Over the years, students who have attended the course have had access to concrete professional opportunities in various fields, including fashion design, product management, graphic design, textile research, modeling and tailoring.