Learning by Doing: Denise and Ivana’s Journey

Over the past few months, Denise and Ivana have completed their school internships in our workshops, bringing curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to learn every step of the way. Denise is confident, energetic, and always eager to challenge herself, while Ivana is quieter and more reserved. Despite their different personalities, they share the same desire to learn and discover more about the world of tailoring...

Stepping beyond the classroom…

At 16 years old, Denise lives in Milan and has two great passions: horseback riding and fashion, "in all its forms." When she began her internship, she had a clear goal in mind.

"I wanted to learn more than what I've been able to study at school so far, get a better understanding of the fashion industry, and gain real hands-on experience."

Ivana, who will turn 16 in October, loves reading, drawing, and listening to music. Although she was nervous at first, it didn't take long before she started to feel at home in the workshop.

"At the beginning I was a little anxious, but after that everything was fine. I really enjoyed the experience, and I learned so many new things."

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Learning through hands-on experience and meaningful relationships...

From the very beginning of her internship, Denise stood out for her enthusiasm and willingness to try new things. One of the aspects she appreciated most was the trust placed in her from day one.

"I loved that they let me use the sewing machine right away. They believed in my abilities and gave me the chance to put myself to the test immediately."

She admits that adjusting to a full eight-hour workday wasn't easy at first. Even so, she never backed away from a challenge, approaching every task with consistency, determination, and a genuine desire to learn.

Ivana, on the other hand, found her strengths in the activities that required patience and close attention to detail. She especially enjoyed working on the finishing touches for the bags.

"I liked tearing the white cotton fabric for the bags and attaching the handles."

One of the biggest challenges for her was hand-sewing the elastic bands, but she tackled it with care and perseverance. With her calm approach and eye for detail, she also played an important role in keeping the workshop organized, helping sort ribbons by color and size.

During their time with us, both girls had the opportunity to experience different aspects of our work beyond the workshop itself. Denise assisted Ilaria, one of our instructors, during a tailoring program with students from the Tommaso Grossi Institute. Ivana, meanwhile, joined us for a Saturday afternoon at Bosch Rexroth, where she saw firsthand how tailoring can extend far beyond the walls of the workshop and into the wider community.

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Small steps toward the future...

When Denise reflects on her internship, the people she met stand out above all else.

"Everyone was always there for me, helping and supporting me throughout the entire experience."

Looking ahead, she dreams of launching her own fashion brand and building a career in the industry she loves.

Ivana's dream is to become a fashion designer.

Every person who spends time in our workshops leaves their own unique mark, and that's where the beauty of our work truly lies. Different personalities, stories, and life experiences come together, connected by the common thread of tailoring.

For Denise and Ivana, this internship was much more than a required part of their education. It was a meaningful step toward their future, a chance to build confidence, develop new skills, and move one step closer to achieving their dreams.