RATTI INDUSTRY PROJECT | MASTER FABRICS INNOVATION DESIGN

Our Master in Fabrics Innovation Design students embarked on an exciting new Industry Project in collaboration with Ratti. Led by project leader Daphne Karras, their journey began with a visit to Ratti’s headquarters in Guanzate Como, Italy. During this comprehensive visit, they explored all the production departments and the important archives, where they were presented with the project brief.

The main objective of this project is to create a contemporary collection of animal prints. This project requires innovative and modern approaches to produce a balanced and unprecedented result in a well-explored area of design. The success of the designs are based on a rigorous research process involving several key elements: historical and anthropological analysis, conceptual investigation and experimentation with various techniques on different textile bases. Throughout this process, a strong emphasis on sustainability principles is crucial, especially in light of the nature-inspired design theme.

During the visit, the students had the valuable opportunity to observe Ratti’s production processes first-hand. This experience gave them an in-depth understanding of the complex steps involved in fabric innovation and design. In addition, they explored Ratti’s extensive archive, where they were able to study a rich collection of works from the past and learn more about the company’s design heritage.

The following day, students visited the Antonio Ratti Foundation. Here, they examined historical textiles that will serve as inspiration for their projects. This visit gave them a lot of ideas and a broader perspective on the artistic and cultural significance of textiles throughout history.

We extend our gratitude to Ratti and Fondazione Antonio Ratti for this valuable experience.