And finally, we asked each participant to share a few words. What are your passions, and what does it mean to be you?
ALESSANDRA ALCARO
Alessandra Alcaro is a 25-year-old fashion student from Limbiate, Italy and lives in Milan.
Your passions are...
“Fashion, ever since I was a little girl. It’s a passion that was passed down to me by my grandmother. One of my fondest memories is watching her sew clothes for my Barbie dolls.”
Being yourself means...
“Being authentic on every occasion. Being able to laugh at myself and trying to always smile, even under challenging circumstances.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“I Wanna Be Adored by the Stone Roses and Lucky Man by The Verve are the songs that best represent me.”
ALESSANDRA CAPORASO
Alessandra Caporaso is a 19-year-old economics student at Bocconi University from Benevento and lives in Milan.
Your passions are...
“I have always loved fashion. Like many children, it started when I was small, thanks largely to my mother. We saved all the favors from baptisms, Holy Communions, and weddings, and I used the tulle to make outfits for my dolls. As the years have passed, I’ve stopped dressing up my dolls, but I realized that dressing myself could be just as fun. My goal is to turn this hobby into a career one day.”
Being yourself means...
“Being yourself means being extremely brave. It requires a bit of egotism, which can sometimes push away those who are close to us. Every cloud has a silver lining, so a fresh start may be just what you need. It takes a lot of hard work to understand who we are, but even more to live it.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“The song that best represents me hasn’t been written yet. My taste in music changes every day. My morning routine includes listening to the first song that pops into my mind while drinking a cup of coffee. I then spend the rest of the day with that melody in my head.”
ALICE SOFIA NAVARIN
Alice is a 28-year-old model from Padua, Italy.
Your passions are...
“Color is my greatest love. I love to make colorful things or to see them. I believe in color. I also love nature, animals, and human beings.”
Being yourself means...
“Being a country girl, craftsman, and a free spirit.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“Pumpkin Belly by Tenor Saw.”
BENEDETTA FERABOLI
Benedetta is a 24-year-old graduated in fashion communication at IED from Cremona, Italy, and lives in Milan.
Your passions are...
“Needless to say, it’s fashion and the universe that surrounds it. It’s the colors, fabrics, luxury, and glamour it represents. I like to travel and discover the world. I also love art. Art exists in everything around us and is often the very thing that inspires fashion. I like to paint and use my creativity to create and describe my world.”
Being yourself means...
“Being myself means feeling free to act however I feel in an individual, spontaneous manner, without worrying about the judgment of others. It means living my life to the fullest!”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“The songs that best represent me are Italian ones from the ’50s to ’80s. I love their moods and the lifestyles they sing about. Even though they were written so many years ago, they describe daily life in a super up-to-date way. You have to admit they have a charm and allure that sweeps you away. Needless to say, my icons and favorite singers are Mina and Ornella Vanoni.”
BLU FIORENTINO
Blu Fiorentino is a 22-year-old cultural arts student at Federico II Napoli from Sorrento, Naples.
Your passions are...
“My biggest love is art in all its many forms. My biggest dream is to open a contemporary art gallery or work in a major auction house.”
Being yourself means...
“To never betray my core values and to never stop to compromising my dreams.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“Queen of Peace, Florence and The Machine; Drinking in L.A., Bran Van 3000; Paradise Circus, Massive Attack; One, U2 and Mary J. Blige; and Sotto il Segno dei Pesci (Under the Sign of Pisces), Antonello Venditti.”
CHIARA PINO
Chiara Pino is a 27-year-old model from Lecce, Italy.
Your passions are...
“I love food, literature, nature, sports, design, music, and animals—everything and nothing. Every so often, I’ll add something to the list. I’ve never had that one main thing that I completely focus on. Maybe I am still searching for it, but I’ve always had interests.”
Being yourself means...
“I’d define myself as a collage, a combination of lots of little things that I like. My background and origins have a lot to do with this. I grew up in Salento and studied literature in Rome. I practically had nothing to do with fashion. And I’m extremely proud of that! As for the rest, being myself mostly means non-stop improvisation.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“The song that most represents me is My Friend Goo by Sonic Youth. Kim Gordon is my absolute idol. Anyone who knows me and knows this song understands.”
ELINDA KIMBO
Elinda Kimbo is a 29-year-old African-Brazilian dancer and sales assistant from Milan.
Your passions are...
“My biggest love is dance. I’ve always danced, and for the past ten years, I’ve been able to transform this love into a career. I’d define it as an art form. In my opinion, it is necessary for reflection and for making us reflect. It has something to say, and the artist must convey this. On a superficial level, people think it’s only a series of steps, but, instead, there is an entire world around and within every artist.”
Being yourself means...
“I am an extremely extroverted, empathic person. I am normally filled with lots of enthusiasm, especially for my various hobbies, where every type of art takes center stage. I can’t stand monotony and love to do lots of different things. For years, I have dedicated myself to spiritual work, which has led me to an increasingly evolved state. I’ve done this using many methods, as I love to experiment. I have goals to reach, which is a definite determining factor in my constant effort to improve myself. Ultimately, I love to choose. I am a woman who swims against the current. I detest following the crowd and conforming, in life as well as in art.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“By the title alone, you can tell. It’s Miss Independent by Ne-Yo.”
GIULIA BERTASI
Giulia Bertasi is a 24-year old art direction and copywriting student at Politecnico from Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy.
Your passions are...
“Art and literature.”
Being yourself means...
“It means self-discovery, curiosity, understanding yourself better, and not being afraid of the unknown. It means listening to yourself, as well as following and cultivating your dreams, even if they seem far away and different than everything you are used to doing.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“This is a tricky question. There is a different song for every moment of my life. Right now, I would say Into My Arms by Nick Cave, Love is Laserquest by Arctic Monkeys, and the two classics of Fleetwood Mac, The Chain and Dreams.””
KEVIN FERRETTI
Kevin Ferretti is a 22-year old communication, media, and advertising student at IULM from Milan.
Your passions are...
“Ever since my childhood, I’ve been drawn to the art world in all its forms. I love exhibitions, good music, and literature. In my free time, I practice photography. I find it fascinating how you can tell an entire story with just a single click. I also enjoy spending time in the kitchen, as I love to see the satisfaction in the eyes of those who taste my dishes.”
Being yourself means...
“I love having the sun in my face while I drink my morning coffee. Being myself means savoring every small thing, just like a child. Being myself means simply letting it be, living without all the societal expectations. Moments of freedom are rare now, and feelings of pressure and anxiety usually dominate everything else. During these precious moments, I let myself go and unleash my thoughts. Being myself also means being aware of the beauty that surrounds me, rather than a series of adjectives or labels that categorize me.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“I think Se Non Dai Il Meglio by Fabri Fibra is the song that best represents me. I’ve been listening to it during difficult times for a few years, and listening to it still stirs up the same emotions today as the first time. The lyrics are amazing and full of truth. They make me feel at ease and teach me about life. If I had to mention another famous artist, it would have to be the legendary Lucio Battisti, whose songs always make me think.”
KOFFI
Koffi is a 21-year-old African-French content creator from Besancon, France.
Your passions are...
“I'm passionate about everything that involves creativity and creation. I’m not sticking to one passion. Everything I do is because of my passion.”
Being yourself means...
“Being myself is staying true to my vision and ideas and being authentic. It allows you to develop your personality and uniqueness. Being yourself is taking inspiration everywhere to create your vibe.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“Rock With You, Michael Jackson.”
LIN LIN
Lin Lin is a 24-year-old model from Hebei, China, and lives in Milan.
Your passions are...
“I’m focusing on self-development and self-improvement in my personal life. Everyone does. For me, this is the most important thing to build my self-confidence and to keep positive and energetic forever.”
Being yourself means...
“Look for things I like: movies, food, animals, books, or sports. Then, give myself time to spend alone every day. I like what I like and never care about bad comments. I wear the clothes I like, laugh when I want to laugh, and cry when I want to cry. But I always live politely and gratefully. This is how I am myself.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“Dean, Just Like a Star.”
MATTEO PORTA
Matteo Porta is a 22-year-old fashion student at IED from Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Your passions are...
“I love cinema, especially films from the 1960s. In my free time, I read and practice a lot of sports. My biggest love is fashion. That’s why I’m going to university to become a fashion designer.”
Being yourself means...
“Being myself means being natural, spontaneous, and authentic. It also means pursuing your own dreams and being aware of your potential.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“Macy Gray, I Try.”
MIRIAM FAHIM
Miriam Fahim is a 28-year-old North African producer and project manager from Mortara, Italy.
Your passions are...
“Never stopping.”
Being yourself means...
“Being extremely creative.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“My personal anthem is Heart of a Lion by Kid Cudi.”
NICCOLÒ PORTA
Niccolò Porta is a 22-year-old law student from Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Your passions are...
“My biggest passion is traveling and discovering new cultures. Fashion has given me a way to express myself. And cinema, especially old classics—I love to watch with my best friends.”
Being yourself means...
“Sometimes it’s challenging because I’m my own worst critic, and I constantly strive to do my best. When I was young, I remember not wanting to be myself but instead someone else, so I would always imitate others. After a while, I realized being yourself is an amazing thing. It’s your strength but, most of all, it’s your weaknesses that make you unique! Being myself means trying to make others feel at ease and always to make them smile.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“Take On Me, A-ha; You Spin Me Round, Dead or Alive; Believe, Cher; My Love Is On Fire, Black Pink; and Maniac, Conan Gray.”
MONURGA / SALVATORE FRANCESCO NOTARO
Monurga is a 26-year-old DJ and producer from Vallefiorita, Italy.
Your passions are...
“My greatest love is producing music, which happened by chance when I was a teenager. It’s now taken more shape. So much so that I couldn’t do anything but music. I also love fashion, the sea, and longboarding.”
Being yourself means...
“Being myself means escaping from the constructs of a conformist society and unleashing my desires. That’s the only way I can feel free and spread the wings of my imagination. That’s why I feel satisfied when I pose in front of a camera lens or express my feelings in the notes of a song.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“Caminia - Monurga, La Quiete - Monurga, From Yonio - Monurga, Kiriku; 92/93/94 - Monurga, Kiriku; Berlin – Underset; Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right - Bob Dylan; Quantic, Flowering Inferno – Cumbia; Sombre el Mar Rezz – Edge.”
THOÉ
Thoé is a 20-year-old Nigerian singer and artist from Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Your passions are...
“Singing. Singing and art, in general, are ways I realized I could best express myself and my emotions by remaining as clear, transparent, and true as possible with myself and others.”
Being yourself means...
“Don’t fixate on things, appreciate and love myself, day after day in my failures, my personal growth, and my large or small goals. I think we are in a constant state of change, and being myself means appreciating all aspects of my personality without judgment.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“The song that best represents me or that I like the most is True Colors by Cyndi Lauper. It is one of the first songs I encountered on my musical journey. It’s a song that always reminds me to welcome and appreciate every tiny color and shade making up the rainbow of my being.”
TOMMASO BENEDETTI
Tommaso Benedetti is an 18-year-old art student from Mestre, Italy.
Your passions are...
“My biggest love is fashion, and all that surrounds it. I’ve loved fashion since I was a child. I still remember when I would design outfits for my stuffed animals with my mother. Fashion makes me feel special. It conjures up thousands of different emotions at the same time. It distracts me from my problems and makes me dream. It is something indescribable. Fashion is magic, and I was born to be its magician.”
Being yourself means...
“Being yourself means living life without a foot on the brakes. Nobody should care about others’ judgment because they will judge you just the same no matter what you do. We all need to unleash our inner creativity to its fullest extent.”
The song(s) that best represent you...
“I don’t have a song that best represents me. There are different types of songs that I listen to based on my mood in the moment, but nothing in particular.”
