In Ferrari Fashion School, students had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of film costume design with one of the industry’s masters, Massimo Cantini Parrini. Recognized for his academic dedication and numerous awards, including five David di Donatello awards and the EFA for best costume designer, Parrini brings an unparalleled wealth of experience. Raised in Florence, his fascination with costume captured him from an early age, inspired by his seamstress grandmother and his early interest in vintage garments. His career has seen him become not only a revered custodian of an archive containing over 4,000 pieces of rare craftsmanship but also an essential reference point for major international film productions and distinguished directors like Matteo Garrone and Joe Wright.
During his visit to Ferrari Fashion School, Parrini shared with the students not just the techniques behind great costume masterpieces but also personal anecdotes from collaborations with iconic figures in cinema, theatre, and high fashion tailoring. The session transformed into an open dialogue about the art of creating stories through fabrics, highlighting the importance of humility and passion in pursuing a career in costume design.
Parrini’s advice to the students extended beyond practical tips; he also emphasized the value of methodical, practical steps and continuous learning, elements he considers fundamental for anyone aspiring to excel in this dynamic and challenging field.
The presence of Massimo Cantini Parrini at Ferrari Fashion School is not only an honor but a testament to the inseparable bond between the art of costume and cinematic storytelling, a bond that continues to inspire and shape new generations of creatives.
Ferrari Fashion School wanted to continue the dialogue by interviewing the guest, delving deeper into their vision to share and enrich our young talents with new insights for reflection.
What is the most valuable advice you could give to those wishing to pursue a career in costume design, especially in the context of cinema and theater, fields where you have achieved great success and recognition?
The most valuable advice I can give is to study and research as much as possible. As I always say, school gives you 50% of what you will become, but then in the evenings at home, it’s very important to dedicate yourself to your passion. If you have a passion for costume and fashion, I recommend reading, studying, and visiting exhibitions. Studying the past is very important, everything that we have been and everything that fashion has been, because costume has been fashion and fashion will be costume.
What skill do you consider essential to excel in the field of fashion and costume? And how can they best prepare for the challenges of the industry?
The best skill is mastery of the subject matter. When you know the subject in the best possible way, and in this school, of course, there are various training courses, it’s the best approach for the world of work. Nowadays, everything is much faster, so even studying must be much more up-to-date. However, as I mentioned before, knowledge of the past must be the foundation of everything
Throughout your career, you have witnessed a growing interest in sustainability in costume design. How do you integrate sustainability principles into your work?
I integrate sustainability very much into my work because I use a lot of vintage items, and by using vintage, you can eliminate textile waste. I also use materials that are purely natural because they have a better performance both on screen and in fashion and in everyday life.
Who or what has influenced you the most in your career? Are there historical or contemporary figures in the world of fashion or cinema that you recommend students study to enrich their artistic vision?
I have been greatly influenced by my three masters, who are Cristina Giorgetti, Piero Tosi, and Gabriella Pescucci. However, this is in my field, which is costume design. Personally, in fashion, I believe that everyone has their own mentor, whether alive or deceased, to be inspired by and refer to. The advice is not to limit oneself to just one thing or one person, but to try to understand the world of those who came before you and how they developed it, so that it has reached us in the streets and in everyday life.
