“After studying Fashion and working in a tailoring workshop as a pattern maker, I realized that textiles were an essential part of my life, and so I decided to begin a new path with this Master’s programme.

When it was time to choose my internship, I already knew that I wanted to gain experience abroad, so I found the Portuguese company SUGO CORK RUGS and spent one month there.

During the internship, I worked on the loom, learned how to create different types of fancy yarns, and experimented with weaving materials thicker than those normally used to create fabrics for clothing. I became passionate about rug production, and I believe I will continue working in this field.”

Beatrice Barra, student of the first edition of the #MasterTextile programme.

“I came to the world of textiles through a much more sculptural path, having studied Sculpture in Carrara. Thanks to my thesis, which focused on feminism in art, I became interested in fiber art, bringing together sculpture and weaving. A scholarship took me to Japan, where I worked with hand looms for the first time. There I also learned how to card and spin yarn, and when I returned to Italy I decided to invest in my future in the field of textiles, graduating with a thesis on textiles in art that won first prize in the ‘Giancarlo and Marialuisa Sponga 2016’ competition.

I decided to enrol in this Master’s programme because I wanted to strengthen my technical skills. I enjoyed experimenting, but I wanted to build a solid foundation of practical and theoretical knowledge so that I could experiment with greater awareness.

During the Master’s programme, I completed a particularly interesting internship at Arpass, where I discovered the world of trimmings, something I had known very little about despite how present it is in everyday life. From handbag straps to the seams of jeans, trimmings are the detail that makes all the difference. Both personally and artistically, I came to understand that detail is not something marginal—it can become the focal point, the most important element of a creation.

My goal now is to combine teaching with artistic research.”

Carole Peia, student of the first edition of the #MasterTextile - Discover Carole's work on Semi di Lana

“I studied Fine Arts in Milan and then weaving in Rome. Enrolling in this Master’s programme felt like a natural step, given my interest in fibres and the world of textiles in general.

It was very demanding, but also highly stimulating. I learned a great deal, but what interested me most from the very beginning was Jacquard weaving and the art of interlacing. I wanted to discover new ways of working with textile fibres while gaining a deeper understanding of their nature.

For my internship, I worked at the Giuditta Brozzetti Hand Weaving Museum and Workshop in Perugia: a truly magical place that I would recommend visiting regardless of one's interest in weaving. There, I had the opportunity to contribute to the production of their beautiful textiles, particularly the traditional Perugian tablecloths, and I also worked on more contemporary projects, some of which were exhibited at the Master’s final exhibition at Le Murate. Progetti Arte Contemporanea.

After completing the Master’s programme, I hope to continue my artistic research in the field of textiles, and I would very much like to work as a weaver.”

Cristina Mariani, student of the first edition of the #MasterTextile programme. You can follow Cristina’s work at CristinaMariani-Art,Design

Among the first students of the Master’s programme in Textile, Daniela Lotti took the opportunity to broaden her creative horizons.

“I have worked in a graphic design studio for twelve years. My background has always been in graphic design, and before the Master’s programme I had no experience in weaving. What attracted me was the idea of finding a new medium for my work—of moving beyond paper and experimenting with materials that are far more expressive.

That is why I enrolled in the Master’s programme, which turned out to be an incredible experience for me, almost an introspective journey. I really challenged myself, having never even held a needle before or had any experience in this field.

I rediscovered a deep passion for craftsmanship and manual work. Compared with my current job, where everything moves at a very fast pace, working by hand requires a different rhythm. It gives you time to think while you weave and develop your ideas.”

Daniela Lotti, student of the first edition of the #MasterTextile programme.

“I enrolled in the MasterTextile programme after completing a degree in Fashion Design because I wanted to study in detail how the fabric that eventually becomes a garment is created.

I completed my internship at a company specializing in the design and production of textiles and embroidery, often commissioned by fashion designers.

I found the experience extremely valuable in preparing me for the professional world, as it gave me the opportunity to see firsthand how a textile company operates.”

Dariya Belova, student of the first edition of the #MasterTextile programme.

"La mia è una famiglia di sarti, da questa ho imparato che per creare un abito sartoriale di qualità bisogna partire da materie prime eccellenti.

Prima di frequentare il MasterTextile sapevo già tagliare e cucire un capo ma non conoscevo ancora bene i tessuti, le loro specificità, le armature, così ho deciso di iscrivermi.

Penso di essere più preparata ora perché ho imparato a conoscere meglio e a creare da me stessa la materia prima indispensabile per realizzare capi originali e soprattutto di qualità”.

Elisabetta Barbato, allieva della prima edizione del Master in "Textile - creazione di tessuti d'arte".

“My family is made up of tailors, and from them I learned that creating a high-quality tailored garment requires starting with excellent raw materials.

Before attending the MasterTextile programme, I already knew how to cut and sew a garment, but I did not yet have a thorough knowledge of fabrics, their specific characteristics, and weave structures, so I decided to enrol.

I believe I am now better prepared because I have learned to understand and create the essential raw material myself, allowing me to produce original garments and, above all, garments of high quality.”

Elisabetta Barbato, student of the first edition of the Master’s programme “Textile – Creation of Artistic Fabrics”.

“I decided to attend this Master’s programme because I wanted to change my life and finally dedicate myself to what I truly love doing. After almost twenty years working in the educational field, the birth of my son made me realize that I needed to reconnect with my true passion: craftsmanship.

I first enrolled in a weaving course in Milan and then continued my journey by joining this Master’s programme. It was a unique opportunity to work with looms that would otherwise be difficult to access: Jacquard looms, precious objects that are part of our history but are often insufficiently preserved.

I completed my internship at Galleria Altai di Milano, which, alongside its collection of late nineteenth- and twentieth-century nomadic rugs, has its own line of contemporary rugs created in collaboration with various architects and designers. I mainly worked on the sampling of weaves, the restoration of Mauritanian mats, and the reorganization of the textile archive: it was a wonderful opportunity!”

Francesca Maggioni, student of the first edition of the #MasterTextile programme. You can follow Francesca’s work at MinùleTessuti

“I started this Master’s programme after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Decoration at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, because I was deeply interested in the world of textiles.

I found the textile design courses particularly fascinating, even though at the beginning warps and wefts seemed like strange and unfamiliar concepts to me. Then I began to appreciate them, until I reached the key moment of the internship, which was a wonderful opportunity.

I was hosted by the Abruzzo-based companyArcolaio - Arte Tessile Italiana, where I began designing table linens: from the graphic design stage to the creation of the fabric. I learned how to use software that allows weave structures to be integrated into the graphic design before producing the final textiles. It was a fantastic experience for me.

Before this, I did not even know that textile design existed: it was a wonderful discovery.”

Nicla D’Angelo, student of the first edition of the Master’s programme “Textile – Creation of Artistic Fabrics”. You can follow Nicla’s work at ND Graphics Textiles

“My artistic journey began with the Decoration course in Florence.

The Master’s programme was a 360-degree enrichment experience for me because it allowed me to look at the everyday world with new eyes and gave me the opportunity to develop a new performative pathway: creating a dialogue between music and weaving.

To achieve this, I asked a young composer to create four original compositions inspired by the four seasons. I transferred the musical score onto a weave structure, digitized it, and was therefore able to weave the music.”

Rossella Liccione, student of the first edition of the Master’s programme “Textile – Creation of Artistic Fabrics”.