The Dualities of Fashion: An Interview with Giuseppe Di Morabito

We are facing uncertain times that often loom large, and the world of fashion offers a profound opportunity for reflection, connection, and transformation. Giuseppe Di Morabito stands at the forefront of this exploration, illuminating how fashion can serve as a powerful dialogue with both our past and future. Emerging from the rich cultural heritage of Calabria, Di Morabito’s journey is a vivid blender of emotions, contradictions, and aspirations—a narrative that speaks not only to his personal experiences but also to the collective consciousness of a world in flux.

Born in 1992 in the idyllic town of Molochio, Di Morabito draws inspiration from the artisanal skills and traditions that have defined his roots. Here, in the rugged beauty of the Aspromonte Mountains, he learned the value of craftsmanship from those around him, particularly from his mother, Anna, who nurtured his early love for fashion. This immersion in the intricate world of sewing and embroidery laid the groundwork for a creative vision that embraces both the elegance of history and the innovative possibilities of the future.

Di Morabito's recent debut on the runway transcended the conventional boundaries of fashion shows, emerging instead as a poignant reflection on the complexities of our present time. In an age marked by rapid change and uncertainty, he harnesses the power of storytelling through his designs, revealing how personal history can inform a collective vision. The fashion designer invites us to engage with our vulnerabilities while simultaneously celebrating the resilience that defines the human spirit. His Fall-Winter 2025 collection ‘’Alone with the Stars’’ is striking amalgamations of structured tailoring and fluid drapery, where elements from the past meet contemporaneous ideals. Metallic armors juxtaposed against flowing silhouettes evoke themes of protection and fragility, illustrating the push-pull dynamic we face in navigating an evolving world. The inclusion of Ameca, a humanoid robot, in his presentation served as a provocative reminder of how technology can shape our future while grounding us in the realities of our existence.

In this exclusive interview, we explore deeper into Giuseppe Di Morabito’s creative world, with the intricate layers that inform his creations and the ways in which his heritage informs his approach to modern challenges. We unpack the interesting threads of his artistic expression, examining how he adapts historical influences to inspire a conversation about empowerment, resilience, and the dynamic nature of femininity in fashion. Join us as we journey through the captivating artistry of Giuseppe Di Morabito, discovering how he navigates the complexities of time and identity through his visionary lens:

Your upbringing in Calabria appears to be a significant source of inspiration for you, especially given the rich cultural and historical context of the region. Can you elaborate on specific elements from your homeland—such as the architecture, traditions, or natural landscapes—that have profoundly shaped your design aesthetic?

I was born in Molochio, a small village in Calabria. Growing up there meant being constantly surrounded by tradition and craftsmanship. From a young age, I watched the women in my village create intricate bobbin lace with almost ritualistic precision, and the local tailors construct made-to-measure garments with obsessive attention to detail. These early memories taught me that beauty often lies in the hands of the maker and in heritage.

Architecture is another key inspiration. I’ve always been drawn to classical proportions and the opulence of baroque churches. One of my early collections featured oversized shirts and bombers printed with frescoes from the Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Rome—an open tribute to that timeless beauty.

Your creative journey has traversed a fascinating path, blending the elegance of classical architecture with contemporary fashion sensibilities. How do you navigate the challenge of honoring traditional inspirations while also pushing boundaries and innovating within the modern fashion landscape?

I believe the past is an endless source of inspiration—not something to replicate, but to reimagine. I approach every collection as a dialogue between the cultural legacy I carry with me and a desire to explore forms, volumes, and concepts that speak to the present.

I enjoy using elements drawn from haute couture—like corsetry, structured shoulders, and elaborate embroidery—but presenting them in a more direct, accessible, sometimes even playful way.

Participating in prestigious competitions like “Who Is On Next?” must have been both thrilling and daunting. Can you describe your experience during that competition? How did it help to solidify your identity and mission as a designer, and what feedback did you receive that was particularly influential in shaping your career path?

Participating in Who Is On Next? was a truly defining moment in my journey—it was my very first major encounter with the fashion world on a professional level. It introduced me to the real dynamics of the industry: how it moves, what it demands, and what it means to build a brand with intention and clarity.

For that occasion, I brought my story to life through craftsmanship and tradition, and that authenticity resonated with the judges and the audience.

The experience helped me better understand not only who I am as a designer, but also what kind of future I wanted to build. The feedback I received was both encouraging and constructive—it pushed me to keep exploring the balance between historical references and modern relevance. It was a turning point that gave me the confidence to continue creating fashion that is personal, culturally rich, and forward-looking.

The artisanal craftsmanship featured in your collections, such as the unique crochet work from nuns and local seamstresses, highlights a deep connection to your roots. How do you go about sourcing and collaborating with artisans? Why do you believe it’s essential to keep these traditional techniques alive through your modern lens?

Collaborating with local artisans, such as seamstresses from my hometown, is for me a way to preserve and pass down traditions and craftsmanship techniques that are part of my culture. My mother was my first teacher, passing on to me the love for sewing and attention to detail, and through her, I was able to connect with other local seamstresses.

I believe it’s essential to integrate these traditional techniques into my work because they represent a tangible link to my history and cultural identity. This dialogue between the past and the present enriches my creations, giving an authenticity that makes them meaningful for those who wear them.

Incorporating narratives and myths, such as those in Ovid’s Metamorphoses for your Woolmark Prize project, speaks to a deeper layer of storytelling in your designs. How do these stories inform your creative process, and what themes do you find yourself drawn to when creating new collections? Can you share specific stories that have inspired your design philosophies?

These stories influence my creative process by offering inspiration reinterpreting classical themes in a contemporary context. For instance, the collection I presented for the Woolmark Prize in 2016 was inspired by a contemporary reimagining of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, blending elements of classical mythology with modern silhouettes.

I am particularly drawn to themes that explore the duality between the past and the present, strength and vulnerability.

Your designs emphasize femininity through crafted silhouettes that convey both allure and strength, often incorporating elements like hidden corsetry and tailored blazers. How do you define femininity in the context of your work, and what message do you hope to communicate with your designs? Do you feel that the fashion industry generally reflects this complexity, and how are you contributing to that conversation?

I aim to represent a contemporary woman by conveying the different facets of her identity and by combining opposing elements that coexist within a single identity. In my designs, I bring the idea of duality into the portrayal of the female figure—strength and vulnerability, softness and structure. This is evident in the materials I choose: for instance, I often contrast delicate, transparent tulle with more rigid constructions like metallic corsetry or tailored blazers. These pairings become a way to visually communicate a woman’s multifaceted nature.

Your Fall Winter 2025 collection, "Alone with The Stars," showcased at Milan Fashion Week, explores the themes of contradiction, such as strength versus vulnerability and past versus present. How do you express these complex themes through your choice of fabrics, colors, and silhouettes, and what emotional responses do you hope to evoke in those who wear your pieces?

The FW25 collection "Alone with The Stars" explores the duality between strength and vulnerability, past and present, using fabrics and forms that express these contrasts in a tangible way. I chose rigid and structured materials, such as leather and even metal, to symbolize strength and resilience, contrasting them with lighter and more transparent fabrics, like tulle, to represent vulnerability and delicacy. The silhouettes are both rigid and fluid, creating a fusion between the concepts of protection and freedom.

The darker colors evoke a sense of mystery and intimacy, transitioning to tones that embody light and optimism. I hope that those who wear my pieces feel strong, yet vulnerable at the same time, embracing both dimensions of their personality in harmony.

With significant growth and a global presence, including partnerships with renowned retailers, what challenges have you encountered during this expansion? How have you adapted your brand to resonate with diverse markets while maintaining your core identity?

Growth and expansion have certainly brought challenges, particularly in reflecting the dynamics of different markets and adapting my work to various needs, while still maintaining my identity. Certainly, the entry of the Style Capital fund has played an important role in this expansion, also supporting the production side.

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into the fashion world—evidenced by your runway collaboration with a humanoid robot—how do you view the intersection of craftsmanship and technological innovation in fashion? What potential do you see for these two worlds to coexist and enhance the creative process? Are there specific technologies you are particularly excited to explore in future collections?

My collaboration with Ameca, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, allowed me to explore how craftsmanship and technology can coexist and enrich each other. Craftsmanship carries with it tradition and mastery, while technology adds new tools to innovate and expand creative possibilities. Technology can certainly enhance the creative process, but always maintaining the integrity of craftsmanship, which is at the heart of my vision and brand. It is an additional support tool, but it should never replace the human element, because the creativity and emotion that design conveys are irreplaceable.

Finally, as someone who has navigated a competitive landscape with remarkable success, what advice would you offer to emerging designers who are striving to establish their own identity in the fashion industry? What essential mindset or practices do you believe could help them thrive in an ever-evolving market?

Being still at the beginning of my career, I can say that the key to standing out is to truly believe in what you do. Passion and conviction are fundamental because the path is never easy. It’s essential to closely observe the evolution and changes in the market, but without letting oneself be swept away by fleeting trends. Every designer must find their own path and maintain their identity, even when the surrounding context changes rapidly.

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