Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Fashion at the Museum: “En Vol”

For the fourth consecutive year, Unimore brings the dialogue between science, creativity, and sustainability to the runway. This is achieved through the Third Mission STEAM project “FASHION AT THE MUSEUM”, which combines the university's cultural heritage with the talent of the younger generations.

The continuous search for new narratives to facilitate public engagement with the University's museum heritage has laid the foundations for a collaboration between MUSEOMORE (the University Museum and Botanical Garden System) and the “Cattaneo-Deledda” Institute of Modena (Industry and Crafts for Made in Italy vocational programme), where the worlds of fashion and science have worked in synergy.

The Evolution of the Project

Following the first experimental edition, “Gem Fashion”, in 2023—inspired by the collection of the GEMMA Museum and developed as part of the multi-year “Fashion at the Museum” project—the second edition, “Sky Look”, took place in 2024, focusing on an educational pathway held at the Geophysical Observatory. In 2025, the project was dedicated to the Botanical Garden, a historic treasure trove of biodiversity, which inspired the creation of the collection entitled “Botanicus”.

The 2026 capsule collection, titled “En Vol”, has been designed by over 150 Year 12 and Year 13 students (Classes IV and V) who drew inspiration from the heritage of the Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, as part of a historical and scientific educational pathway curated by the University.

Event Details

The presentation of “En Vol” will take place on Thursday 4 June 2026 at the Botanical Garden (Viale Caduti in Guerra, 127) in Modena, where students will showcase their creations from the eco-fashion brand GraceD_CreativeLab.

• Runway Times: A double show will take place at 19:00 and 20:30.
• Reservations: Booking is requested by emailing museo.gemma1786@unimore.it.

Institutional Statements

“Modena’s university museums,” states Professor Gianluca Carnevale, Director of the University Museum and Botanical Garden System, “have gained extensive experience in projects aimed at public engagement with science, promoting our natural, historical, and scientific heritage. This led to the multi-year FASHION AT THE MUSEUM project, the fruit of a well-established capacity to collaborate with schools in order to encourage direct contact between young people and the world of culture.”

“The FASHION AT THE MUSEUM project,” states Professor Marcello Pinti, Vice-Rector for the Third Mission, “is ahead of its time, putting into practice what universities are encouraged to do today regarding Public Engagement within the STEAM framework (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), transferring knowledge, innovation, and scientific culture to society.”

“During the 2025–2026 academic year, students from the Industry and Crafts for Made in Italy vocational programme at the ‘Cattaneo-Deledda’ institute took part in the FASHION AT THE MUSEUM project,” concludes Dr Milena Bertacchini. “The initiative alternated guided informal education activities within the museum with creative and innovative workshop sessions in the classroom, aiming to bridge the gap between students, the academic world, and the business and employment sectors in general.”

Organisation and Credits

The organization of the “En Vol” fashion show involves the staff of the University Museum and Botanical Garden System, directed by Professor Gianluca Carnevale and coordinated by Dr Milena Bertacchini. Collaborating closely on the project is the “Cattaneo-Deledda” Institute, led by Headteacher Professor Alessandra Zoppello, alongside the teachers and consultants of the Technical Department—coordinated by Professor Raffaella Di Iorio—and Pattern Media Manager Carlo Barbieri.

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng