International Fashion Festival

Born in La Spezia in 1993, Davide Grillo’s first encounter with fashion took place at the institute for the crafts of fashion in Parma. He further developed his learning process with courses at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London and Nafa Fur Studio in Toronto. In 2010 he participated in the “Ponza Emotions contest in collaboration with Anna Fendi”, where he exhibited an ethereal collection inspired by the nature of the island of Ponza. During his studies he worked for several artisans and tailoring workshops in Parma where he learned the importance of assembling and dressmaking in ateliers. In 2011, after winning the special prize at the “Fashion Riccione Italy”, contest for young designers, with a collection inspired by Boldini’s women, he graduated with honors and immediately began working as a designer at Pinko. In 2012, simultaneously with his job he began attending an evening course in fashion design at the European Institute of Design in Milan concluding it successfully with a collection inspired by delicate, sophisticated Meissen porcelain and the alchemy of its creation. In 2014 he was among the winners of Next Generation successfully bringing his collection, inspired by dreamlike visions of an Indian legend, to the catwalks of FW 14/15 Milan Fashion week. After an experience working at Dolce & Gabbana Couture in 2016, he founded his own brand, focused on the poetics of craftsmanship and uniqueness of traditional processes, which would see the launch of the first collection SS 2017 in September.

Sylvio Giardina is a creative person with a dual identity. He is both happily involved both in fashion - as a haute couture designer, and in art - as a visual artist, and is currently focused and committed to the launch of its new brand 'Sylvio Giardina'. Sylvio was born in Paris and educated in Rome. After studying for a Fashion Designer Diploma at the Academy of Costume and Fashion, from 1990-1996 he worked for Rome’s Maison Gattinoni. From 1998-2010, together with Antonio Grimaldi he created the Grimaldi Giardina haute couture brand. After achieving success in Italy, the Grimaldi Giardina brand was invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to a fashion show in Paris, were they presented collections for three seasons. In January 2011 Sylvio created the brand 'Sylvio Giardina'. The search for a new silhouette is the philosophy behind this work. The classic shapes of the body are eliminated to create new shapes. While the work involves a lot of experimentation, Sylvio never loses sight of the main function - that the clothes must be wearable. The designs aim to find a balance between creativity and production. For Sylvio Giardina, art is the inspiration, and fashion the instrument. They are not separate entities, but complementary and indispensable to one another.

Romantic, imaginative, feminine… Luisa Beccaria represents the contemporary female dreamer. Luisa in creating a bespoke beauty, able to free the dreaming spirit of every woman. Her aesthetic and style has been taking shape through beautiful dresses shown among art galleries to enchanted gardens. From Europe to New York, Luisa Beccaria’s fashion is always inspired by new concepts, and continuing to evolve Luisa created crossed the Italian borders and seduced women like Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Halle Berry & Madonna… The Luisa Beccaria bride loses herself in a timeless world: she becomes the utmost protagonist and achieves the opportunity to actually get a unique and taylor-made gown, from the design concept to the drawing, to the handmade dress. The haute couture mood, together with a fashion touch, designs the dress, the focus of the ceremony, and translates the bride intimate wishes into a fairy day. My wedding dress was my childhood dream. I saw it when I was 8 during my mom’s Haute Couture show in Paris and I told her: “Mom that will be my wedding dress, keep it on one side for me!” and that’s what she did . . . I tried it on [after I got engaged], and it was perfect! The Italian designer’s bridal collection follows the same vein as her ready-to-wear line with sweet, ruffled dresses that lend a decidedly romantic aesthetic. Her latest offering features tiered silhouettes, intricate lacework, and sophisticated detailing that elevate classic silhouettes. An overall refinement is tempered by a sense of effortlessness, keeping these fairytale-inspired gowns perfectly grounded.

Rami Kadi is a contemporary Couturier passionate about modern tailoring. He stands out with his distinctive creations and nouvelle couture, incorporating technology and innovation to his work. He leaves a unique mark in his masterpieces, offering a kaleidoscopic explosion of colors and sparkles, high finish and definite impact. Being hip and young, he embraces embroidery as the essence of his creations. With an unmatchable insight, sharpness and unique inspiration, Rami Kadi weaved to an incredible sense of craftsmanship that make his creations remarkable.

Beyoncé, Lady GaGa, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez... What is the one thing they all have in common besides being the world's biggest stars? Michael Cinco. Born in 1971, the Dubai-based Filipino designer grew up enamored of the glamour of classic Hollywood starlets. Cinco’s childhood obsession with this era’s impeccable elegance and sophistication has become his current-day inspiration. To wear Michael Cinco is to be inducted into fashion royalty. IFF is honored to welcome Michael Cinco, as one of its main participants, to the exclusive marina and yachting paradise of the Mediterranean, Porto Montenegro.

The halmark of his sober designs is their bare-minimum detail, and his radical style is a nostalgia- free tribute to the past inspired by 1960s design and culture interwoven with a selection of 1980s moods. Albino apparel is a blend of mysticism, modernity and romanticism, but its signature feature is sartorial élan and the unmistakable style of “Couture”. Architectonic design and femininity are the quintessential features of Albino’s style, and his creative, yet sophisticated colour-combinations are second to none. In 2004, Albino founded the label that bears his name and in 2005, he won first prize in “Who Is On Next?", a competition run by Vogue Italia and The National Chamber of Italian Fashion. He is currently Design Director at Vionnet and a head consultant at the Max Mara group.