Florence's Accademia Gallery unveils new staff uniforms, designed by a student

The Accademia Gallery in Florence is revamping its staff uniforms by involving young talents from the Master’s in Collection Design program of Polimoda, the Florence-based fashion school. The students participated in an ideas competition, launched at the initiative of director Cecilie Hollberg, to redesign the clothes of the museum’s reception and security staff. After visiting the Academy Gallery, the students came up with sketches, which were later reviewed with faculty and museum representatives. From the various style proposals, a shortlist of six finalists was selected for final evaluation.

The jury, composed of Cecilie Hollberg, Massimiliano Giornetti (Director of Polimoda), Raffaello Napoleone (CEO of Pitti Immagine), and Francesca Ragazzi (Head of Editorial Content of Vogue Italia), chose as the winner the Sezione Aurea collection of Chuang Yu Hsuan (Giovanna), a 22-year-old young woman born in Jakarta and raised in Taiwan.

The competition required special attention to several aspects for the creation of the collection, including: reinforcing the visual identity of the staff (the garments had to help make the reception and security staff of the Academy Gallery recognizable); creating stylish and comfortable garments for every season (the collection had to include clothes suitable for both warm and cold seasons, while ensuring comfort and style); emphasizing the importance of the hospitality role of the staff (the garments had to reflect the importance of the role played by the staff in welcoming visitors and ensuring a pleasant experience for them); balancing functional design and style, in harmony with the museum environment (the garments had to be functional for the performance of daily tasks, but also stylistically in tune with the environment and decor of the Accademia Gallery); strengthening the identity of the brand (the collection was to highlight the logo and related colors to reinforce the visual identity of the museum); use of innovative and sustainable fabrics (modern and sustainable fabrics were required, in line with current environmental trends and regulations); completeness of the capsule collection (the collection was to include a range of complete garments for every season and every need, ensuring a wide range of choices); adaptability to different physicalities and ages (the clothes had to be available in different sizes, adapting to a wide range of staff physicalities and ages); ease of washing and compliance with safety regulations (the fabrics and materials used had to be machine-washable and comply with current safety and ecotoxicological regulations).Compliance with these requirements helped ensure the creation of a collection of uniforms that meet the practical and aesthetic needs of Academy Gallery staff.

Theorms

Theorms

The uniform design, inspired by Renaissance balance and beauty, is intended to pay homage to the art of that period and the rich cultural heritage of Florence. Taking its cue from Michelangelo’s iconic David statue and Renaissance works, the uniform features classic elegance and a strong connection to the art of the time. The collection is characterized by its simplicity and sustainability, using classic colors such as white, navy blue, and beige. The minimalist approach minimizes the use of dyes and favors eco-friendly materials, thus reducing costs and environmental impact without compromising style or quality. Distinctive elements such as piping along the edges or stitching give the uniform definition and contrast, emphasizing the silhouette. Elaborate embroidery further enriches the design.

“We visited the Gallery together with the young creatives,” says Director Hollberg, “and I was struck by the enthusiasm with which they immediately immersed themselves in this project, getting in tune with the works and environments, coming up with ideas that were all very original, one more beautiful than the other. I am really happy with the fruitful collaboration with Polimoda, a school of excellence, recognized all over the world. You could notice from the first day a fresh and imaginative atmosphere. It was not easy to choose and I congratulate the winner.”

“The collaboration between Polimoda and the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence,” adds Massimiliano Giornetti, Director of Polimoda, “highlights the synergy between two creative worlds, fashion and art, marking the importance of initiatives that allow students to explore and apply their creativity in professional contexts. This project offers a unique opportunity, a stylistic exercise that integrates the aesthetics of fashion with the practical needs of museum uniforms, remembering that fashion must be thought of in harmony with the body that wears it. I thank director Cecilie Hollberg for this valuable opportunity.”

“Vogue Italia has always supported and promoted talent,” says Francesca Ragazzi, Head of Editorial Content Vogue Italia. “For me it was a great satisfaction to have been able to view and evaluate the interesting projects of the students of the Master in Collection Design at Polimoda to redesign the new uniforms of the staff of the Accademia Gallery in Florence. Fashion, through its nonverbal language, can offer meeting points between disciplines and arts, and thanks to this collaboration it will be possible to give voice and visibility to the new generation of designers.”

“My research,” says the winner, Chuang Yu Hsuan, “began by carefully identifying the iconic features of the design of the uniforms, to ensure their recognizability and to ensure that certain details were maintained as representative elements of the Gallery’s identity. Meeting the requirements of the project meant creating a design that was fashionable and unique, while prioritizing the comfort and functionality of those who must wear the garments. The challenge was definitely balancing creativity with practicality and ensuring that I realized my vision while staying within budget constraints.”

Florence's Accademia Gallery unveils new staff uniforms, designed by a student

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