Bocconi Summer School and the Dialogue on Sustainability

A special morning in our workshop with the students of the Bocconi University Summer School in Fashion Management, Sustainability and Digitalization, directed by Francesca Romana Rinaldi. In addition to discussing sustainability, the experience also included a hands-on workshop with the seamstresses of Spazio 3R.

A Workshop Experience

“We were not afraid to transform the garment: we deconstructed it, cutting it apart and separating it into pieces. We then added flowers to represent the meeting between people and nature.” These were some of the words shared by a student during the presentation of the project she completed with her classmates. During the three-week program at Bocconi University, young participants from around the world explored the many dimensions of the fashion industry, alternating lectures with practical workshops. “Our goal is to provide an integrated and contemporary vision of the sector, connecting theory and practice,” explains Francesca. One of these experiences took place at Spazio 3R, where students reflected on sustainability and created a product using leftover fabrics from our workshop or experimented with upcycling techniques.

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Sustainability as a Multifaceted Concept

“Being truly sustainable today first and foremost means being transparent and consistent. We chose Spazio 3R because it represents a concrete and virtuous example of circular economy applied to fashion,” Francesca states. The work began with a reflection on the concept of sustainability. Each participant wrote a personal thought on the topic. The words and emotions that emerged ranged from uncertainty to the awareness that concrete action is necessary. From these reflections, the working groups began designing and producing their creations.

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Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Awareness in Action

With commitment and creativity, the final projects were remarkable. One group transformed a simple dress into a coordinated skirt and top set, embellishing the pieces with buttons and decorative elements. Another customized an old T-shirt. A flag symbolizing recycling, material recovery, and a vision for the future was created by five students. The final group produced a unique top made entirely from leftover fabric. “The objective was twofold,” Francesca explains. “On the one hand, to offer an immersive experience combining creativity, craftsmanship, and critical reflection; on the other, to inspire a new awareness of what it truly means to give garments a second life, within a framework of sustainable and participatory design.”

Teamwork like this highlights the importance of collaboration: the final results were all wonderful, and each person contributed their own perspective and skills. “Participants left not only with a regenerated garment,” Francesca concludes, “but above all with a renewed sensitivity toward the value of artisanal work and upcycling.”