What to do at the weekend: from Milan to Naples, the secret places of fashion open to the public (free)

The art of coral, the hats that made the history of cinema, the processing of feathers and lace: the ApritModa events take us on a journey through Italian creativity and mastery from north to south.

Author: Beatrice Manca

Francesco Maglia Milan

Behind the glow of the catwalks and photo shoots there is a world of ateliers, workshops, tailors, goldsmiths, artisans. Fashion Made in Italy is a treasure trove of skills that the world envies us: the wisdom of the hands of artists capable of bringing unique and precious creations to life. Exceptionally, the “hidden” ateliers and workshops open their doors to the public with a complete schedule of guided tours, demonstrations and free visits. Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of October the initiative returns OpenFashiona unique opportunity to see up close how the dream jewels of Dolce and Gabbana, the creations of Giorgio Armani it’s from Alberta Ferrettito the shoes of Rossetti brothers. From Lombardy to Sicily, here are all the weekend’s events and how to participate.

Former Florentine Silk Factory Giulio Ghirardi
Former Florentine Silk Factory Giulio Ghirardi

What is ApritModa and how to participate

The ApritModa event, now in its sixth edition, was born from the desire to bring the general public closer to the craftsmanship that makes Made in Italy unique in the world. The initiative involves 100 wonderful places normally closed to the public: large Maison ateliers, small workshops of artisan excellence, silk factories and so on. True halls of wonders spread from North to South, in big cities and small towns, among historic buildings, shops, hidden gardens, old factories reinvented. Every place tells a story: stories of families, secret arts or movie stars. Stories of love for fashion and attention to detail. The appointment is for Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of October: on the ApritModa website you can choose the closest place or the atelier of your heart to visit. Participation is free, but booking on the website is mandatory.

Enrico Coveri, Florence
Enrico Coveri, Florence

The hidden gems of Made in Italy to discover

The project involves big names in Italian fashion, such as Dolce & Gabbana and Ferragamo, as well as historic tailors, such as Curiel, and lesser-known, but no less surprising, laboratories of excellence. If you don’t know what to do on the weekend, you are spoiled for choice. In Milan, for example, you can visit the workshops of Armani and Alberta Ferretti, but also the Gianfranco Ferré Research Center. Theater lovers cannot fail to visit the workshops of the Teatro alla Scala while in Like the Silk Museum opens its doors to visitors.

Cervo hat factory
Cervo hat factory

In Piedmont, the Borsalino factory in Spinetta Marengo, near Alessandria, where the most famous hats in cinema are made, is an almost obligatory stop. In Biella, you can visit the Cerruti Wool Mill and, in Trivero, you can peek into the world of Ermenegildo Zegna. Those in Venice can admire the ancient lace art of Burano up close in the Martina Vidal atelier, while in Padua the Stabile Theater tells the story of its most beautiful costumes.

An artisan from Atelier Martina Vidal
An artisan from Atelier Martina Vidal

We continue our journey in tuscanyamong the great story of Ferragamo, the Antico Setificio Fiorentino and the Signa Straw and Weaving Museum. A hidden gem? The Mazzanti atelier, “the paradise of feathers” in Florence born in 1935, where sparkling creations are born in the name of color, lightness and elegance. Lovers of sustainability can see the work of he did it againthe company that creates clothes from fabric waste.

Raptus & Rose in Treviso
Raptus & Rose in Treviso

FOR Pomegranate the addresses to dial are the mature tailoring, the Sartoria Litrico and the Antica Manifattura Cappelli, just steps from the Vatican. FOR Naples instead, you can step into the grand story of masculine elegance: from Formosa tailoring to Cuomo tailoring to Antonelli tailoring, visitors are spoiled for choice. You can also admire up close how Anna Matuozzo’s sophisticated shirts or Omega factory gloves are made.

Ricami hosts
Ricami hosts

The project also involves the islands: in Trapani you can visit the artisan workshop Rosso Corallo, where coral goldsmith Platimiro Fiorenza preserves the ancient art of coral processing. In Isili, Sardinia, you can visit Maison Marate, a timeless place in the former Convent of the Scolopi Fathers, where Sardinian fabric art and copper craftsmanship are handed down. The complete list of one hundred appointments is available on the ApritModa website. From north to south, Italy is an immense vault of wonders: this weekend, give yourself a moment to fill your eyes with beauty.

Source: Fan Page IT

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