PRESS CONFERENCE OPENING NEW CAMPUS IN ROME

Rome, 3^rd December 2024 – Today marks the press conference for the inauguration of the new Accademia Costume & Moda (ACM) campus, located in the historic Ex Magazzini allo Statuto (MAS) premises, overlooking Piazza Vittorio at Via Pellegrino 10/12. The site, owned by the Infrastructure Growth Fund – ESG of Azimut Libera Impresa SGR, has undergone extensive redevelopment, positively impacting the urban regeneration of this historic Roman district.

Through a significant conservation and restoration project that began in late 2022, ACM and the Azimut Libera Impresa SGR’s Infrastructure Growth Fund – ESG (Fondo IPC) have returned a symbol of urban and cultural regeneration to the Esquilino district. The reopening of the late-19th-century Umbertine building demonstrates how historic heritage can be revitalised to meet contemporary needs for enhancement and digitalisation.

During the press conference, held within the spaces of the new campus, speakers include: Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome; Lorenza Bonaccorsi, President of Rome’s I Centro Municipality; Giulia Silvia Ghia, Councillor for Culture, School, Sport, and Youth Policies of the I Centro Municipality; and Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism, and Fashion. Joining them are A. Lupo Lanzara, President of ACM; Furio Francini, CEO of ACM; and Andrea Cornetti, CEO of Real Estate and Infrastructure at Azimut Libera Impresa SGR.

The opening of the new campus was made possible through the IPC Fund, dedicated to investments in social infrastructure and subscribed to by 26 leading institutional investors, primarily pension funds. The fund acquired the property and carried out the complex conservation project in approximately 24 months. The project, managed by Studio Kami Architecture & Engineering with the support of Studio DDArch, has allowed ACM to commence operations in the new campus starting from the 2024/2025 academic year. The restoration of the Ex MAS building stands out as a profound example of respect for and enhancement of the “genius loci.” Historic elements were preserved and highlighted, with particular attention paid to their material and aesthetic integrity. The initial phase of the project, characterised by a strip-out intervention, revealed the building’s original framework, removing the accumulated overstructures and restoring the property’s authentic essence.

Mayor Roberto Gualtieri commented: “We are truly delighted to inaugurate the new Accademia Costume & Moda campus, replacing a historic warehouse that had been closed for years, with a significant role in the history of Rome but which had sadly become a place of degradation. This opening, in the heart of Piazza Vittorio, represents an ambitious urban regeneration project. My thanks go to ACM and the IPC Fund of the Azimut Group for making this possible. This new, innovative 6,000-square-metre space spans six floors while respecting the architectural integrity of the building and meets all the requirements of a dynamic and innovative fashion academy. It will be a place that leaves a tangible mark on Esquilino, a district keen to embrace urban regeneration. Today, we demonstrate that it is possible to combine two crucial aspects for Rome: urban renewal and the preservation of its architectural heritage, while addressing a changing market’s new challenges.”

ACM President A. Lupo Lanzara added: “We are the custodians of a unique place, integral to Rome’s cultural, creative, and popular fabric. With the contributions of all involved parties, we have sought to create not just a place of study but an inclusive and vibrant community, open to diverse creative expressions, where the vibrancy and international scope of students’ educational journeys intertwine with the colourful cultural and social life of the neighbourhood. Ours is a family story: two women, mother and daughter, two sons, and grandchildren, all serving the community.”

ACM CEO Furio Francini remarked: “The choice of Esquilino, with its extraordinary mix of history, craftsmanship, and cultural diversity, perfectly aligns with ACM’s mission of giving back. The new campus is not only an international centre of education but also a laboratory of innovation and a driver of local growth. Through this elective affinity, ACM seeks not only to train the professionals of tomorrow but also to add value to the city of Rome, fostering dialogue and inclusivity.”

Andrea Cornetti, CEO of Real Estate and Infrastructure at Azimut Libera Impresa SGR, stated: “This initiative, which provides ACM with a new campus, fully reflects our vision of sustainable investments capable of creating economic and social value. We have transformed a historic structure that had been unused for years into a modern centre of educational excellence, maintaining its identity while contributing concretely to the urban regeneration of a symbolic district in Rome.”

THE NEW CAMPUS PROJECT

Tradition and innovation come together in the new Accademia Costume & Moda campus, designed to accommodate over 600 students and provide them with a dynamic environment where technology and high craftsmanship converge. The transformation of the Ex Magazzini allo Statuto (MAS) has revitalised an iconic property while preserving its architectural and historical identity, uncovering original features previously concealed by numerous interventions over the years.

By expanding to three locations—two in Rome and one in Milan—Accademia Costume & Moda continues its commitment not only to its students but also to the local communities where it operates.

Carlo Capasa, President of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, states: “I am very pleased with the opening of the new Accademia Costume & Moda campus, an important educational hub in our national landscape. CNMI has supported Accademia Costume & Moda since its foundation due to its significant educational value, an aspect that is more crucial than ever for our industry today. My best wishes for this ambitious project, which will help shape the professionals and creatives of tomorrow.”

Lorenza Bonaccorsi, President of Rome I Centro Municipality, comments: “I thank Accademia Costume & Moda, the IPC Fund, and Mayor Gualtieri for enabling the creation of a project that spreads beauty in a district already rich in culture, opportunities, resources, but also challenges. The I Municipality works daily to highlight and bring out the best of Esquilino, enriching the neighbourhood with numerous initiatives and events.”

Giulia Silvia Ghia, Councillor for Culture, School, Sport, and Youth Policies of Rome’s I Municipality, states: “The new Accademia Costume & Moda campus at Piazza Vittorio in Rome represents a significant step towards enhancing the district and the city as a cultural and creative hub. Located in an area rich in history and multiculturalism, the academy becomes a reference point for young talents and industry professionals. The choice of this location symbolises a dialogue between tradition and innovation, blending Rome’s artistic heritage with new design trends. Furthermore, the opening contributes to the urban regeneration of Piazza Vittorio, strengthening its cultural identity. This project underscores the importance of Rome as a global capital of fashion and costume”.

ACM’S 60 YEARS: THE COMMUNITY AND ITS VALUES

With the new campus inaugurated at Esquilino, Accademia Costume & Moda expands and strengthens its community—a central theme of its educational approach. By fostering tangible connections between students and faculty and engaging the local district through projects that add value to this emblematic Roman area, ACM continues to pursue the mission it has upheld since its foundation in 1964 by designer, costume artist, journalist, and academic Rosana Pistolese.

The founder’s vision was to nurture and support the cultural heritage of Italy’s fashion and costumeindustries through a unique and innovative approach, creating constant interaction between these two fields. This DNA has been carefully preserved and continually revitalised by the generations that have led the academy. First, it was the work of Fiamma Lanzara, daughter of the founder and President Aeternum, who brought passion and keen awareness to the industry’s changing dynamics. She was succeeded by her sons, Furio Francini, now CEO, and Lupo Lanzara, currently the President of Accademia Costume & Moda.

From the outset, the two brothers recognised the importance of preserving their grandmother Rosana Pistolese’s legacy while also making it accessible to new generations. The institution continues to champion its core values, serving as guardians of a symbolic place within the global fashion system. A harmonious balance of research, culture, design, and product development, along with close collaboration with the industry’s key players, has established ACM as a global leader in education.

This milestone coincides with ACM’s 60th anniversary, celebrating its rich tradition of training professionals in the fields of fashion, costume, communication, and management.