Accademia Italiana presents "Youthopia"

Florence, 5 June, 2025

 "YOUTHOPIA", this is the title of the event that Accademia Italiana presents at Pitti Immagine Uomo 108, with an exhibition and a publication. After the success of last year, the project evolves into a new edition curated by creative visionary Matteo Ward, and leads to the spaces of Numeroventi, inside the historic Palazzo Galli Tassi (via dei Pandolfini 20, Florence) the work of 82 students from the last years of the courses of Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Design and Photography. 

A choral and interdisciplinary path that explores the boundaries of contemporary utopia: objects, clothes, images and installations in which the ideal meets the impossible, reflecting the restlessness and momentum of the new generations. A visual and theoretical investigation that also materializes in a publication, tangible testimony of the project and launch platform for emerging talent. The opening by invitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17 from 18.30 to 21.00, with DJ-set and drinks in the presence of curator Matteo Ward. The exhibition will be open to the public on 18 and 19 June, from 10am to 7pm, and on 20 June from 10am to 1pm (free admission).

"Utopia is the farthest destination imaginable by the human mind - explains Alessandro Colombo, Country Manager of the AD Education group - By its definition it is unattainable, but we want our students to go right there. Design resolves and anticipates in a changing society: looking beyond means conceiving the inconceivable and giving new shape to this discipline." 

The curator Matteo Ward says "If good design really has the vocation to respond to the authentic needs of humanity, in balance with society and the environment, then we must stop and ask ourselves: what are our deepest needs today? And which ones will become tomorrow? In this scenario, utopia is not escape, but direction. A compass for a new generation of designers looking for a role. From this awareness comes a path of research and experimentation. We looked at a changing environment, questioned the present and tried to imagine new meanings. A dress, a jewel, a photograph, an object or a graphic can become active tools, able to respond - even only in part - to the complexity of our time. Evolving expectations. Returning relevance. Shaping a new sense of design."

To complete the events programme at Pitti 108, Accademia Italiana presents the showcase "Fluffy Stuffy World" created in collaboration with Coin Firenze, a project developed by students of the Master’s Degree in Fashion Design Management - Visual Merchandising course, Under the guidance of teachers Carlotta Malafarina and Pietrangelo Piro, with the teaching coordination of Cecilia Rinaldi and Chiara Ruberti. The project proposes an ideal and colorful world as an allegory of the illusions promoted by the media and consumer culture, questioning with irony and depth the models of contemporaneity. The event is scheduled in store Coin (Piazza del Grano, 5/6 Florence) for Wednesday 19 June from 17.00 to 20.00, with thematic photo shooting, drinks and talk together with students and teachers, an opportunity to experience fashion as a participatory, creative and reflective experience. 

YOUTHOPIA is an event organized within the framework of Progetto NIMI - La nuova intelligenza del Made in Italy - The New Intelligence of Made in Italy, funded by the European Union Next Generation EU (NGEU) - for the internationalization of higher education institutions in arts and music (AFAM) according to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) MISSION 4 COMPONENT 1 - INVESTMENT 3.4 SUB-INVESTMENT T5 - CUP: H37G24000080001