Istituto Marangoni Milano has opened its doors once again for a new year, and just like every time, students are back. You can feel their energy in the air. With the rush still high from the end of fashion week, excitement is palpable as classrooms start crowding with faces from around the world and agendas get filled with lessons. From the very beginning, mood boards, research, and fashion talks are always on topic, leaving no one behind in the eagerness to learn and anticipation for the programme ahead.
As you start a new academic year, we wanted to share with you some of our best tips to make things go smoothly: surviving back-to-school has never been easier. Artwork by visual designer and IM alumna Constanza Coscia
And there is no need to wait because no more than a few days later, you can sense the shift in the atmosphere—becoming faster and faster—professors start lecturing from early in the morning, advances on projects are due at the end of the week, and people meet in the cafeteria on the fifth floor to discuss whatever fashion report was published at sunrise.
You see designers arriving with suitcases for their classes, a table covered with illustrated books of 90s runways at the library, and people doing full glam make-up for early photoshoots.
The atmosphere at Istituto Marangoni is electric in and pushes you to be constantly on the move. In fashion school, nothing is ever still, and before you know it, your Welcome Day was six months or a year ago, yet it feels like no time has gone by at all.
Nights are made for finalising projects, but do not procrastinate until the deadline. Artwork by visual designer and IM alumna Constanza Coscia
It’s crucial to meet new people who will be your support system throughout your time at school and, most importantly, in the fast-paced industry you are pursuing. Making friends early on will not only help you adjust to your new city but it will also benefit you in the future, whether it be collaborating on projects or helping you in your job search after graduation.
Also, never leave your projects until the end of the semester, no matter how far the deadline seems—don’t procrastinate, or you’ll have to pull more than a couple of all-nighters to finish. Trust me with this one, and avoid wasting any time.
Ximena Fernández Ochoa
Fashion Management, Digital Communication & Media, 2nd year, Milano