The Sexy World of DSquared2/

designer. Amina Vanneling from Polimoda in Italy
opposite
designer. Zilan from the Institut Français de la Mode

Spotlighting craftsmanship, sustainability, and technology in fashion, ModaPortugal – a strategy powered by the Textile Intelligence Centre in Portugal, in partnership with the National Association of Clothing and Apparel Industries – brought together young designers from across Europe to compete in its annual European Young Designers Competition. Hosted earlier this month at Palácio da Polsa in Porto, the event saw 18 designers from Aalto University in Finland, Institut Français de la Mode, Polimoda in Italy, ESAD, the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon, Modatex in Portugal, London College of Fashion, and HEAD Genève present their collections to an international jury, competing for the overall prize as well as country awards. 

Vicente Aycaguer from the Institut Français de la Mode received both the Best Collection Award and the France Prize for his collection, ‘Susanna Valenti’. Sílvia da Torre, a graduate from Modatex Porto, won the Portugal Prize for ‘Sacred’. Tilda Wallius’s ‘Finders Keepers’ collection – developed as her final bachelor’s project at Aalto University – earned the Finland Prize. Nansen Capici from Polimoda was awarded the Italy Prize for the menswear collection ‘Silenzio Bianco’. Calum Holmes, a graduate from London College of Fashion, took home the UK Prize for ‘Plane Clothes’, while Alaa Alaradi won the Switzerland Prize for ‘further deeper softer closer’.

Schön! and photographer Emil Huseynzade went backstage at ModaPortugal for an intimate glimpse of the innovative collections on show.

designer. Maria Miguel
opposite
designer. Nansen Capici from Polimoda in Italy

designer. Eetu Heikkinen from Aalto University in Finland

designer. Marine Puumala from Aalto University in Finland
opposite
designer. Zilan from the Institut Français de la Mode

designer. Hippolyte Laporte from HEAD Genève in Switzerland

designer. Peru from the Institut Français de la Mode
opposite
designer. Vicente Aycaguer from the Institut Français de la Mode

left to right
designer. Zilan from the Institut Français de la Mode
designer. Eetu Heikkinen from Aalto University in Finland

designer. Marine Puumala from Aalto University in Finland
opposite
designer. Eetu Heikkinen from Aalto University in Finland

photography. Emil Huseynzade
words. Amber Louise

photography. Courtesy Azienda di Soggiorno e Turismo di Bolzano

Crowned as a UNESCO Creative City of Music since 2023, the sounds of Bolzano are best experienced in the echo of its concert halls, at late night orchestra rehearsals with Stadt Kapelle Bozen, or in the hallways of its world class music schools. The alpine city may be towered by the Dolomites, but at its very core lies a rich culture shaped by the arts. Schön! hopped on a direct flight from London on South Tyrol’s boutique airline, SkyAlps, to explore Bolzano through the musical fabric that makes it one of the most unique destinations in northern Italy.

photography. Tiberio Sorvillo

In Bolzano, the pride they have for their musical heritage is ubiquitous. If you stop by the Parkhotel Laurin for a drink, you’ll find jazz. And don’t be surprised if you hear concerts taking place everywhere from the local prison to retirement homes and kindergartens. The musical pulse of the city is fuelled by infrastructure that provides locals with the best in musical education. “It’s super important to still invest in classical music,” says Professor Philipp von Steinaecker. He was a student himself long before he became the Director of the Mahler Academy which nurtures young talent who want to become orchestra musicians. “The beauty in music is that you you take these pieces that were written maybe 200 years ago but you have to recreate them in the moment. So, it’s not like you press a button or you show a painting, actual people have to redo [it,]” he says.

Music becomes its own lingua franca in Bolzano, transcending the need for translation. “There was always strong interest in music because you can offer symphony orchestra concerts without doing one for the Italians and one for the German [speakers,]” Steinaecker explains. “You can also open to other countries very easily because it’s completely abstract. It’s just a sound but it speaks to you directly or it doesn’t…the first connection is always emotional and that’s always a great starting point.”

photography. Luca Guadagnino

Bolzano poetically embraces its Austrian-Italian roots and it shows in every aspect of the city from its architecture to its symphonies. “Music doesn’t have any borders. We play and stay together, we create community,” says Monica Loss, General Director of the Haydn Foundation, a non-profit that connects the languages and cultures that define Bolzano through music. From contemporary dance to orchestra and opera performances, they organise around 250 events throughout the year. “We want to create bridges,” Loss tells Schön! “Not only between the two provinces, but also at national and international level.”

The arts scene in Bolzano may be rooted in tradition, but its reputation for artistic excellence is also a hub for refreshing talent like Leonie Radine, curator at contemporary art museum, Museion, and Principal Conductor of the Haydn Orchestra Alessandro Bonato, who is a tour de force named as one of Forbes Italia’s Under 30 figures of arts and culture. Each are testament to the power of art in building community and connection across generations.

photography. Luca Guadagnino

photography. Courtesy of Azienda di Soggiorno e Turismo di Bolzano + Tiberio Sorvillo + Luca Guadagnino
words. Shama Nasinde

jacket. Patagonia
bootfoot waders. L.L. Bean

Wild hearts come alive in the still water in this Schön! online editorial photographed and styled by Adrien King. Models Trinity Trice and Rae Simpson wear Patagonia, Ralph Lauren, and Free People, backdropped by the great outdoors.

bootfoot waders. L.L. Bean
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bootfoot waders. L.L. Bean

jacket. Pendelton
sweater. Ralph Lauren
shorts. American Eagle
boots + binoculars. Stylist’s Own
opposite
jacket. Pendelton
sweater. Ralph Lauren
shorts. American Eagle
boots + binoculars. Stylist’s Own

jacket. Pendelton
sweater. Ralph Lauren
shorts. American Eagle
boots + binoculars. Stylist’s Own

jacket. Patagonia
bootfoot waders. L.L. Bean
opposite
jacket. Patagonia
bootfoot waders. L.L. Bean

robe + flannel. Wrangler
opposite
robe + flannel. Wrangler

jacket. GAP
tank top. Free People
shorts. Levi’s
opposite
jacket. GAP
tank top. Free People
shorts. Levi’s

tank tops + shorts. Free People
opposite
tank tops + shorts. Free People

sweater. J. Crew
striped button up. Doen
opposite
left to right
sweater. J. Crew
striped button up. Doen
boots. Stylist’s Own
sweater. Topman
sweater tied around waist.
Tommy Hilfiger
shorts. Billy Aloha
boots. Stylist’s Own
fishing gear. Stylist’s Own

This Schön! online editorial has been produced by

photography, fashion, hair + make up. Adrien King
models. Trinity Trice @ Heffner Management + Rae Simpson @ Hueman Resources