By Jonathan Paonetti. Photographs by Gabriele Busi.
The graduation ceremony marks a defining moment in any student’s life: it is a rollercoaster of emotions, feelings and pride as everyone enthusiastically looks to the future. Istituto Marangoni Firenze never ceases to surprise, and for students’ final step before their leap into the future, the school has chosen one of the most beautiful locations in the city of Florence: the “Sala della Musica” of the Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli.
On the hot and sunny afternoon of July 6, the school staff welcomed the students with their families and friends in the Foundation’s foyer before taking their seats in the majestic Baroque hall, where the projection of three words was enough to allow them to realise their arrival at the finish line: the graduation ceremony. Here is the diary of an extraordinary day.
THE DIRECTORS’ SPEECHES
After the students and guests settled into their seats, a video presentation was screened, showcasing the smiling alumni of Istituto Marangoni. It was the first step in inspiring the students to dream of being screened one day, together with those who have followed the same path and achieved significant milestones. What a dream.
At the end of the screening, the School Director, Lorenzo Tellini and the Director of Education, Francesca Giulia Tavanti, once again shared their advice and experience to help prepare the students for present and future challenges. Their words of gratitude and wisdom mixed with warmth made the audience experience a surge of emotions as they understood the dedication and passion of the people behind the Florence School.
WELCOME BACK, FELIPE FIALLO! AND PLEASE TO MEET YOU MR. PALMIERI
At the graduation ceremony, we were honoured to have important guests: Felipe Fiallo, fashion designer and Istituto Marangoni Firenze alumni, as the lecturer for the undergraduate courses, and Marco Palmieri, President of the Piquadro Group, addressing us, the postgraduates and one-year course students.
Trained in engineering, Palmieri decided to pursue the leather goods industry in 1997 and founded the Piquadro brand. His company has achieved international success and expanded by acquiring the historic leather goods brand The Bridge in 2016 and Lancel in 2018, setting an example for young people ready to leave school and enter the working world. His teaching is not to be afraid to fail because it is only through failure that we can understand mistakes, move forward and achieve our goals. The keyword to remember him by? Empathy.
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE STUDENTS
The students received their diplomas one by one, sorted by course, as they were called to the stage. The Directors, Lorenzo Tellini and Francesca Giulia Tavanti congratulated them along with the tutors Davide Daninos, Carolina Gestri, Valentina Grigoletto, Riccardo Rubino and Miguel Garcia Abad.
Despite the formality of the ceremony, emotions were high as everyone shared hugs, tears, and smiles, feeling happy to have achieved a milestone but saddened by the realisation that they would have to leave a piece of their heart at the school and with the people they had come to love. After the ceremony, families and friends gathered to toast and share experiences, expanding their ties and memories of happy moments at the Via de’ Tornabuoni school.
This journey has allowed everyone to enrich their cultural knowledge, learn in a prestigious institution and meet professionals in the art and fashion industries. Istituto Marangoni Firenze is more than a school of fashion and art; it is a family always ready to nurture and support its talented students and help them shape the future.
Jonathan Paonetti is a Postgraduate Alumni in the Master Course of Art Management at Istituto Marangoni Firenze.
