Media personality, writer and artist Ema Stokholma, along with rising film and television star Francesco Pellegrino, were the central figures in two photoshoots styled by final-year Undergraduate Fashion Styling students for the fashion insert of contemporary art and culture magazine, Artribune.
The project kicked off in the classroom when students were introduced to the two media figures they were to conceptualize and style. Ema Stokholma, a radio and TV personality, DJ, writer, and artist, was the first to be revealed. Her coverage of the Sanremo song competition and her daily presence on national radio means she has become a significant figure in contemporary Italian pop culture. The students were excited to style and shoot her, focusing on her art, which she started doing in 2016 and has since evolved into a unique and surrealistic aesthetic.
@polimoda Our Undergraduate Fashion Styling students' work has been featured in a special @ARTRIBUNE magazine content with Ema Stokholma. #fashionstudent @Ema stokholma #fashionstyling #fashionschool
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Francesco Pellegrino, known for his role in the recent Netflix series “Supersex” as well as appearances in the tv adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend” and the upcoming series “La vita che volevi”, naturally exudes a vintage look and style while embodying youth and unconventionality. This inspired the students’ mood boards, drawing from the bold yet classic styles of 1970s music icons like Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie.
@polimoda Our Undergraduate Fashion Styling students' work has been featured in a special @ARTRIBUNE magazine content with Francesco Pellegrino. #fashionschool #fashionstudent #fashionstyling
♬ original sound - Polimoda
The approach to styling the shoot was both collaborative and precise. The students’ task was to source garments from their peers at Polimoda or external fashion brands that would convey the natural energy and modern appeal of the talent while aligning with the photoshoot’s concept.
For Stokholma, the students had to consider her artistic practice in their approach. Mabel, alongside her group, styled a dress by final-year Undergraduate Fashion Design student Gabriela Blake for Stokholma, noting, “this type of fashion styling project is really about working with the talent and dealing with this type of personality before diving into the creative side of things.” The first look, featuring an Issey Miyake jacket and pants, reflected the candy colors and geometric shapes of two paintings depicting urban multi-floor buildings. The second look, inspired by the forest undergrowth in one of Stokholma’s landscape pieces, featured a futuristic military green coat by second-year Undergraduate Fashion Design student Matilde Fabiani. The final look was visually connected to a painting of a goat through a structural woolen nebula-like dress by Gabriela Blake.
Similarly, a mix of Polimoda students’ designs and external brands were styled to highlight Francesco Pellegrino’s personality and his clear aesthetic references to classic cinema icons James Dean and Clint Eastwood. On set with Pellegrino and the students, the atmosphere was synergetic, he remarked, “I feel like I’m one of them.” The shared creative energy throughout the dressing and styling process buzzed with complicity and understanding. Pellegrino’s looks ranged from an all leather rocker inspired ensemble with vintage leather pants, and a red leather jacket by Criaco, to a whimsical and light combination consisting of an embroidered Versace shirt and wide leg pants by final year Undergraduate Fashion Design student Alberto Repetti.
Both talents praised the professionalism and motivation of Polimoda students. The tangible creativity of the school particularly resonated with Stokholma: “it’s like when you go to a concert; I’m also a DJ, and when you play in front of people who are enjoying themselves, you feel the energy, and passing by everyone working here, you feel that same energy. It’s an individual and earnest creativity.” This dedication to creativity, together with teamwork and vision, was key to the success of the photoshoots. They not only provided a platform for the students from the Fashion Styling course to showcase their skills but also offered invaluable hands-on experience working with renowned personalities.
CREDITS
Ema Stokholma
Styling curated by the students of Undergraduate Fashion Styling:
- Ariadne Burr Abetti – @aabetti
- Bernardo Uto Bruni – @bernardo_bruni
- Nadia Calvo – @calvonad
- Silvia Castorani – @castorani_silvia
- Greta De Gregorio – @heishine
- Gemma De Plano – @gemmadeplano
- Beatriz Guaraldo – @biaguaraldo
- Shaneeq Isaacs – @sshaneeq
- Yujin Jiang – @jinjin0_o
- Maina Hai Lambiel – @plastic.milk
- Beatriz Vermiglio – @beavermiglio
- Ines Lima – @inesqlimaa
- Mabel Maung – @myanmartian
- Ani Shakhkulyan – @aniichok
- Harley Thompson – @h_park_t
Beauty: Francesca Stefani – @francescastefani_art
Photographer: Angelo Guttadauro – @gutt_ae
Project coordinator: Alessia Caliendo – @alessiacaliendo
Francesco Pellegrino
Styling curated by the students of Undergraduate Fashion Styling:
- Anne Voortmeijer – @a.nne
- Asia Baldanzi – @asiux.x
- Clara Zecchino – @clazecchino
- Emilia Mincolelli – @emiliamincolelli
- Iyanla Black – @la.eyana
- Farida Heiba – @faridaheibaa
- Federico Pozzi – @Federico__pozzi
- Ginevra Pesenti – @pesentiginevra
- Jindy Wang – @wjindy
- Lauren Gilgan – @_laurengilgan
- Luna Landini Bravi – @lunabravi
- Mirabelle Nieminen – @mirabellenieminen
- Nicole Zarpellon – @nicolezarpellon
- Nina Bottiglioni – @ninaananna
- Valeria Molinari – @valee_molinari
- Violetta Abbruzzino – @lentoviolento
Grooming: Angelica Davanzo – @angelicadavanzo_hair @blendmanagement
Photographer: Antonio Giancaspro – @agf_281
Project coordinator: Alessia Caliendo – @alessiacaliendo
