By Giulia Piceni.
Another year, another graduation ceremony. Parents, classmates, and loved ones gathered with the students at Cinema La Compagnia in Florence creating a sense of unity and anticipation. As everyone moved towards the main room, the atmosphere was tense – a mix of pride and nostalgia, with some attendees on the verge of tears, their carefully applied makeup at risk.
In the theatre, soft background music played, slowly fading into silence as everyone anxiously awaited the pivotal moment. The silence that fell over the room when the lights were turned off further emphasised the profound significance of the day: a shared milestone where past achievements and future possibilities converged.
GRADUATION CEREMONY 2024: LEAVING THE WORD TO KEY FIGURES AND FACULTY
According to tradition, Istituto Marangoni Firenze Ceremony opened with a series of speeches highlighting the importance of this once-in-a-lifetime event. School Director Lorenzo Tellini began by providing a historical context for this year’s location. Unlike previous editions, it was held inside the Cinema La Compagnia theatre, which usually hosts the Korea Film Festival, Lo Schermo dell’Arte, France Odeon, and many other cultural initiatives.
Next, the Director of Education, Francesca Giulia Tavanti, took the stage. Dressed in her signature black and white attire, she reflected on the term “cure” and its dual meaning: the care that teachers have shown us and its promise for our future careers.
This year, two special guest speakers delivered heartfelt addresses, the Director of Fondazione Ferragamo Stefania Ricci and the Ferragamo Client Experience Director Annalisa Dimonte, who both offered an overview of a potential growth path, sharing valuable suggestions and first-hand experiences.
This year’s graduation ceremony also featured a valedictorian speech by two graduate students from the Master in Luxury Accessories Design & Management Samuele Iannone and from Fashion Business student Elisa Camporesi, who had the task to address us students from the three-year path. She began with a nervous laugh and a bright smile, perfectly capturing the joy of this moment. Elisa shared insights about her student life over the past three years and her hopes for the future. She emphasised that fashion extends beyond clothes and that the creative world is multifaceted, allowing various forms of expression to thrive.
GRADUATION CEREMONY 2024: TIME TO GO ON STAGE!
Each student was called onto the stage to take a photograph with the faculty, marking an emotional moment filled with applause and camaraderie among classmates and schoolmates. It was also a chance for fashion enthusiasts to enjoy, as the students put a lot of effort into their outfits. There were sharp suits and Marangoni-style all-black ensembles, summery transparencies adorned with lace and sparkling embellishments that illuminated the venue’s solemn atmosphere. Traditional garments from various cultural backgrounds added to the diverse, multicultural environment at the ceremony, highlighting the students’ rich academic experience.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. WHO ARE THE BEST STUDENTS?
Finally, it was time for the Graduation Ceremony to present the Best Students awards. Director Tavanti returned to the speech podium to make the announcement, surprising everyone who thought the ceremony had ended.
The prize-giving began with the Fashion Styling department awarding the prize to Martina Lucchesi , who had been praised for their final graduating project. Elisa Camporesi was awarded the title of Best Fashion Business Student of the Year for her exceptional final thesis project and the mature outlook she has demonstrated both academically and in extracurricular activities.
The Best Student award for the Art Department went to Lorenzo Risani, an artist and Multimedia Arts student, in recognition of his consistent dedication to his artistic practice, continually evolving and exemplifying the phygital ethos of the Florentine venue of Istituto Marangoni Firenze. Unexpectedly, a new award was established: I’M Firenze Digest Award 2024 for the Best Student Journalist of the Year, which was presented to Giulia Piceni for her commitment to the editorial project of I’M Firenze Digest (that would be me! Thank you!).
THEN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY TURNS INTO TEARS AND GOODBYES
After the official graduation ceremony concluded, it was time to celebrate the years spent together. Whether it was the three years for bachelor’s students or the nine months for master’s students, saying goodbye was equally difficult. Everyone knew that their paths might cross again in the future. A glass of wine, shared memories, a few laughs, and small parting gifts were bittersweet reminders of the bonds formed and the hope of reuniting after sharing so many milestones.
