Secoli Fashion Show 2023
Face to face with
Margherita Aureli
Interview with an upcoming talent on the fashion scene
Who is Margherita Aureli and what are her passions?
I’m 22 years old, I am from Tuscany but I have been based in Milan for 4 years now. I graduated in Fashion Product Design and Technologies in December and I am currently working as a pattern maker for a big company. One of my fundamental character traits is definitely dedication: I always fully commit to whatever I am doing. I am determined to achieve my goals and always give my utmost and I believe my motivation comes from the knowledge that every commitment takes constant effort and rewarding outcomes are the result of perseverance. Attention to detail is another key part of my approach, because every aspect and detail can make the difference when it comes to achieving goals and creating quality work. I grew up in the fashion world because my grandmother had a pleating workshop at home where my mother and aunt also worked. So I have been living and breathing this trade since I was small, surrounded by pieces of fabric, machinery and pleating ovens. Despite that, I only became really passionate about fashion in the time between middle and high school, when I realised that I was particularly good at technical and manual work. I love the practical, hands-on side of it. I love touching the fabrics. Studying and putting into practice what I was learning really nourished my passion and curiosity for this world.
What drove you to turn this passion of yours into a job and to decide to study at the Istituto Secoli in particular?
I wanted to study somewhere that could offer comprehensive, professional training in the entire production cycle of a garment, so with a particular focus on the technical professions, because the designer/creative is nothing without them. This is a cycle in which each role depends on the next and the only way to help each other is to pool knowledge, so the designer has to know something about pattern making in order to design garments that can work, just as the pattern maker has to know tailoring in order to understand how to construct styles and take all the processes into account. Istituto Secoli was the ideal choice for me precisely for this reason, as it is renowned for offering comprehensive and highly qualified courses covering every aspect from design to manufacturing. The welcoming, stimulating environment the Istituto has created further confirmed my decision because we have professionals at our disposal who not only share their knowledge and experience with us but also create a positive synergy that fuels our creativity and personal growth.
What were the biggest difficulties you encountered on your journey to create a collection?
I think the most difficult thing in creating a collection is managing and tying together all the creative stages. It’s a long process involving many stages and each one has a number of facets and factors to consider. I definitely benefited from having totally independent control over all the stages because when faced with problems encountered along the way, I had total freedom to think about and solve them as I wished, without having to be accountable to third parties. My collection in particular required the use of fabrics such as denim, wool satin and stiff cotton, which are medium-heavy yet had to look very fluid. My concept was developed around this characteristic and it was one of the main difficulties but also the most exciting to tackle, because that’s where creativity comes into play. I also think that, especially during the design and development of the concept, it’s hard to create something exclusively personal that can transcend the latest trends and conventions. It is really rewarding for me to look at my outfits and see myself reflected in them. They say something about me, they are me.
What prospects do you see for yourself in the fashion industry?
I am very excited because fashion is a dynamic and constantly-changing industry, and this is one of the things I am most interested in because I am very afraid of monotony and stability. I am really very open to change and believe that with my determination and commitment I can open the door to a challenging and rewarding career. I think this industry enables me to express my individuality and artistic vision, and I hope I will be able to work with professionals who can contribute to my personal and professional growth, because I want to succeed in making a difference through my work.