5 tips from Giambattista Valli you need to follow to break into fashion
Giambattista Valli mentoring third-year Fashion Design Bachelor students at Istituto Marangoni Paris
Tip n°1: “The most important thing? Believe in your work” – Giambattista Valli, fashion designer, couturier and mentor at Istituto Marangoni Paris
Giambattista Valli spoke with an intense expression as he looked into the eyes of the young students in front of him. These students were a group of emerging designers who showed their first collection of moodboards, ideas, and designs on predetermined themes to the exceptional pro player. It’s not every day that you get to have one of the greatest couturiers of our time as your guide.
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These fresh talents were a bit intimidated as they looked up to him. All fashion enthusiasts have dreamed of wearing Giambattista Valli’s signature haute couture gowns at least once in their lifetime, with yards of tulle and sumptuous fabrics perfectly draped in voluminous proportions.
Couturier Giambattista Valli as mentor at Istituto Marangoni Paris
But why was Mr. Valli involved with new creatives? Where were they? What was going on? Istituto Marangoni Paris has offered third-year Fashion Design Bachelor students the opportunity to have a special guest of the highest calibre, such as Giambattista Valli, as a mentor to guide them in the creation of their collections. Valli is a major force in the industry and an excellent inspiration for up-and-coming talents to draw from. His words can provide food for thought and motivation to face future challenges.
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With this new gathering to present their best projects to Mr. Valli, the students gained valuable insights and advice from their mentor, marking an important milestone in their journey. In December 2023, Mr. Valli will select the finalist(s) who will have the opportunity to work at Studio Giambattista Valli and receive sponsorship from the Giambattista Valli company for the completion of their graduation collection.
An emerging fashion designer from Istituto Marangoni Paris presenting her research at I'M Mentor Giambattista Valli
Are you curious to know what went down? Giambattista Valli, the guardian of haute couture, shared his advice even before he started reviewing the students’ work. “Consider that today I am a radar, and like this instrument, I will point you in the right direction without any influence from my personal taste. But whatever I tell you, have faith in your work,” he said.
Tip n°2: “If you believe in what you have achieved, do not lose courage, even if my feedback seems harsh. You often have to fight to assert your beliefs” – Giambattista Valli
Two hours of conversations, advice, and explanations passed quickly, all driven by a love of fashion and a desire to explore new horizons.
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“In my atelier, I share a strong bond with my assistants; we are like family,” he added. “The people who worked with me then often landed good jobs in major fashion houses.”
Giambattista Valli then stopped to appreciate the work of a young Korean student and complimented her on the way she presented her collection.
Tip n°3: “Coming across novelty is a great thing. I like it when I observe unexplored threads of inspiration” – Giambattista Valli
After receiving such a compliment, the student blushed. She later admitted: “This encounter gave me a lot of confidence; it was a constructive conversation”.
I'M Mentor Giambattista Valli at Istituto Marangoni Paris
The first general impressions were very positive, but Giambattista Valli explained to the participants that they must be “more intellectually committed.”
Tip n°4: “Precisely because young people today are more socially and culturally aware, new designers must be able to translate and convey this awareness through their fashion” – Giambattista Valli
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Finally, the Paris-based Roman couturier left the Istituto Marangoni Paris students with one final piece of advice stemming from his long experience in the industry.
Giambattista Valli with an Fashion Design student from Istituto Marangoni Paris
Tip n°5: “Fashion is made up of many different elements, and when you want to be part of this world, think wide and boundless. Do you want to be a fashion sensation? There is more to fashion than design. You can work on fabrics, improve your story-telling, or be the best at pattern-making or embroidery. If you are a brilliant accessory designer, you can go to major fashion houses and become a star” – Giambattista Valli
Silvia Manzoni
Journalist, Paris