From dreams to Vogue, Francesca Ragazzi, now Head of Editorial Content for Vogue Italia, was a fashion student just like you, and she knows what the gig is about. Her story proves that anything is possible with dedication, hard work, and a good lint roller.
She recently joined the ‘In Conversation With’ series at Istituto Marangoni Milano, moderated by Fashion Design Program Leader Antonio Patruno Randolfi. The event was a candid and unfiltered discussion, where she shared her journey of becoming a journalist, a dream she had since school.
Francesca Ragazzi, Head of Editorial Content for Vogue Italia, at Istituto Marangoni Milano
If you aspire to be in her shoes one day, be inspired by Francesca Ragazzi’s professional journey from fashion school to editorial boards (and red carpets, too!). It is a tremendous 4-ingredient recipe to bake your own future in digital journalism from scratch.
Students attending the Istituto Marangoni's ‘In Conversation With’ event with Vogue Italia's Francesca Ragazzi
Be ready to leave your comfort zone (and relocate to a new one)
Outside the comfort zone is where the magic happens. At 18, Francesca Ragazzi was a girl from Bologna who left her hometown, as many students do, to go to Uni or college, and embarked on a courageous journey to Paris. She enrolled at the prestigious Sorbonne University to study Modern Literature to secure a job at a top-tier publishing house.
Fast forward almost two decades: today, her typical day at the Condé Nast Milan headquarters starts with a press release meeting to discuss the latest news to cover, followed by creating schedules for articles or photo shoots. She also virtually convenes with the directors of all international Vogue publications to foster the development of international content while respecting local perspectives.
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Look for opportunities (but mostly for brilliant solutions)
Great opportunities rarely fall from the sky: you must keep your eyes peeled, looking for them in the right places. While studying, Francesca Ragazzi applied for an internship at the esteemed French correspondence office of Vogue Italia.
There, she tirelessly worked day and night, even packing bags for photo shoots. One fateful day, she found herself working as an assistant on a set with none other than the legendary Karl Lagerfeld and his beloved cat, Choupette.
As fate would have it, the furry feline left a trail of fur all over the clothing, leaving the rookie girl in a bind. Frantically searching for a solution, she realized she had forgotten a lint roller and had to dash through the streets of Paris to find one on time. “I will never forget that situation,” she explained. A forgetful head makes a weary pair of heels, right?
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Be ready to go “all work and so much fun”
Initially, she proposed only being there as an observer, but she never left. She was granted a permanent visa and took on the role of Fashion Editor in the World Trade Center offices of Vogue. Thus, Anna Wintour became and remained her superior when she was appointed as the Head of Editorial Content in September 2021. Meanwhile, she also managed to get married, have fun and catch up with skipped vacations too!
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Have your ducks in a row (especially the fashion show’s front row)
Ragazzi’s first cover story as the Head of Editorial Content featured digital entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni in a total Gucci look, a first for Vogue Italia. “To me, Vogue represents a snapshot of the present. I want people to look at my covers in 20 years and immediately understand what was happening at that time,” she explained.
Ferragni was the ideal candidate to represent this new era: “She is a young woman working determinedly to balance the roles of a successful entrepreneur and mother”. Francesca Ragazzi is deeply committed to promoting the meaningful participation of women in the workplace. She believes that gender equality should not be just a legal requirement but a genuine commitment.
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Sofia Sarandrea
Fashion Business, Digital Communication and Media, 3rd year, Milan