Polimoda is guided by a leadership team that brings together strategic vision, creative direction, and a deep-rooted connection with the fashion industry. The institute’s governance reflects a clear commitment to aligning education with the real dynamics of luxury, production, and international markets.
Supported by the Members’ Assembly and the Board of Directors, Polimoda operates in close dialogue with institutions, companies, and cultural actors, ensuring a forward-looking approach to fashion education grounded in excellence, responsibility, and innovation.
Management
Niccolò Ricci
President
President of Polimoda, Niccolò Ricci is CEO of Stefano Ricci S.p.A. and a leading figure in the international luxury and fashion system.
Born in Florence in 1977, he holds a degree in Business Administration and developed early professional experience in the United States, working within the executive office of a major luxury department store. In 2003, he joined Stefano Ricci S.p.A., where he played a key role in defining the company’s strategic development, focusing on new markets and retail operations. Since 2007, he has served as Chief Executive Officer, guiding the brand’s global growth and positioning.
Alongside his executive role, Niccolò Ricci has held and continues to hold several institutional and advisory positions, including membership on the Board of Directors of Pitti Immagine and Polimoda. He has also contributed to national and international initiatives supporting Italian excellence, internationalization, and the preservation of historic craftsmanship.
His presidency reflects a vision of fashion education deeply connected to industry, culture, and long-term value creation, reinforcing Polimoda’s role as a strategic hub for the next generation of fashion professionals.
Laura Milani
General Manager
General Manager of Polimoda since September 2026, Laura Milani is a cultural entrepreneur, manager, and consultant with over twenty years of experience in education, design, innovation, and contemporary art.
Born in Turin, she was Founding Partner, President, and CEO of IAAD – Istituto d’Arte Applicata e Design from 2000 to 2020, leading its growth and accreditation through to international recognition and the establishment of academic partnerships across Europe.
Active in cultural development and public policy, she has held institutional roles at major Italian cultural organizations, including the National Museum of Cinema, where she served as President. She has curated exhibitions and international projects, chaired Paratissima, and served on advisory committees for the Ministry of Culture supporting the development of design. Her work has been recognized for its contribution to Italian design and to education as a driver of innovation and growth.
At Polimoda, she oversees management and strategic development, bringing an approach that connects education, culture, and innovation to the institute’s long-term growth.
Massimiliano Giornetti
Academic Director
Academic Director of Polimoda, Massimiliano Giornetti brings over two decades of experience at the highest level of the fashion industry. A former Polimoda student, he served for more than 16 years as Creative Director of Salvatore Ferragamo, shaping the brand’s contemporary identity through internationally acclaimed collections and runway shows.
His career also includes contributing to the relaunch of Shanghai Tang, where he helped redefine the brand’s aesthetic and values. In 2025, he was appointed Creative Director of Drumohr, marking a new chapter for the historic brand founded in 1770.
At Polimoda since 2021, he leads the institute with a vision rooted in design culture, authorship, and professional rigor, ensuring a strong and constant alignment between education and the real dynamics of the global fashion system.
Faculty
The Polimoda lecturers are well-respected professionals from the fashion industry who are dedicated to passionately transmitting their knowledge and experience in order to provide students with relevant training in keeping with the latest trends in the sector and study programmes that help them to fulfill their creative and professional potential.