By Rebecca Ceccatelli. Cover image I’M Firenze Digest
Under the spotlight of Elle Gala Norway, one of Scandinavia’s most anticipated fashion events, creativity meets visibility in a celebration of style, identity, and cultural expression. Among the standout looks on the red carpet was the dress worn by Norwegian public figure Tale Torjussen, a design created not by an established fashion house, but by an emerging talent from Istituto Marangoni.
Mathilda Ängla Adina Hagenius, a Fashion Product 2 student, found herself facing an extraordinary challenge: translating the personality and presence of a celebrity into a garment capable of speaking the language of such a high-profile event, still while remaining true to her own creative voice.
What began as an academic project quickly evolved into a real-world experience of responsibility, collaboration, and artistic clarity. And in this interview, Mathilda shares her journey, the emotions behind the process, and what it means, as a young designer, to see her creation come to life under the glare of the red carpet lights.
How an Istituto Marangoni Firenze Fashion Student Turned a Passion Into a Career Path
Can you introduce yourself and tell us what first drew you to fashion as a form of expression?
My name is Mathilda Ängla Adina Hagenius. I am 21 years old and currently a student at Istituto Marangoni Firenze. I was born and raised in a small town in Sweden called Vaxholm. My mom has always had a natural eye for style and fashion so I believe that my own interest grew from watching her use fashion as a part of her identity. At the same time, I got my drive and determination from my dad who has always been a big inspiration to me regarding dedication, ambition and success. However, in my family, I would say I am the most creative-minded, which is also why I chose such a broad course as Fashion product. I believe that together with my father´s drive and my mother’s sense of fashion, this has shaped my interest not only in studying fashion and incorporating it in my everyday life, but also in succeeding in it.
From DM to Elle Gala Norway: a Student’s Red Carpet Breakthrough
How did your collaboration with Tale Torjussen begin?
The story of how we met may seem simple, but for me it was a turning point in learning to believe in myself. Tale posted an Instagram story asking whether any designers or brands would like to collaborate with her for Elle Gala 2025. At first, I scrolled past it, thinking, “I’m not even a design student.” I had done a few sketches, but not many, and I had never really shared them outside of class. A few minutes later, I changed my mind. Tale was actually the first Norwegian influencer I started following because I admired her sense of style, so I already had a clear understanding of her aesthetic. The idea for the dress came to me quite quickly. I reviewed her profile once more to ensure my concept aligned with her vibe, then sat down and created a quick sketch. I sent it to her via DM, along with a short message introducing myself and explaining my vision. To my surprise, she replied and loved the idea. From that moment on, we worked together to develop the final look.
Behind the Scenes: Designing and Delivering Tale Torjussen’s Elle Gala Look
When you first learned that the dress would be worn by her at Elle Gala Norway, what was the very first image or word that came to your mind? Did that instinct survive the entire process?
The whole process moved very quickly, and I knew it would be challenging to manage everything while being in a different country from her. Because of that, I didn’t really have time to reflect on emotions or images. I was completely focused on delivering the dress on time and making sure Tale was happy with the result.
So, honestly, my first thought was simply: “How am I going to manage this and get it done in time?”
Designing for the Red Carpet: What Celebrity Tale Chose Not to Do
Was there something you deliberately chose not to do in this design, even though it might have been expected for a red-carpet event?
My main goal was always to represent Tale’s personal style as authentically as possible. I wanted her to feel not only beautiful, but truly confident. Even though it was important for the dress to meet the standards of such a prestigious event, my priority was making sure she felt comfortable and fully aligned with the design. Although the final result did not turn out exactly as we had initially imagined, I believe we succeeded in creating the perfect balance between elegance and personality. Tale placed a great deal of trust in me, which was both exciting and empowering, as it allowed me to bring my own creative perspective into the design. In the end, I think we managed to merge our two worlds in the best possible way. A reporter from one of Norway’s major fashion outlets even ranked the look in the top five of the evening, noting how well it reflected Tale’s identity and personal style.
Representing a Generation: What the Project Meant Beyond the Dress
Dressing a celebrity for a national fashion event carries symbolic weight. Did you feel you were also representing your school, your generation, or even Norwegian fashion?
Of course, I felt that this opportunity represented both my generation and Norwegian style because I knew what kind of celebrity Tale is. For me, it has always been important that the person wearing my designs is someone I respect and admire, as they play a significant role in representing me and my work. Tale is one of the kindest people I have met, so having her wear my design felt like an honor. Additionally, she won the Vixen Award for “Fashion Influencer of the Year” only two months later, which had a strong impact on me, making me proud to have been part of that representation, even in a small way. Ultimately, even though other aspects of this opportunity highlighted the celebrity herself, I think the most emotionally significant aspect was that I got to represent myself. Sometimes, it’s easy to feel that the fashion industry is overwhelming, almost scary, and highly competitive. Knowing that something I created was worn at such a prestigious event symbolized a moment of pride and reassurance for me, even if others might have just seen it as a dress.
Turning a First Industry Project into a Milestone and Learning Experience
Do you see this project as a milestone, a learning experiment, or a manifesto of who you want to become as a designer?
I definitely see this project as both a milestone and a learning experiment. This was my first project within the industry, and achieving such a significant milestone really boosted my confidence, making me even more eager to continue growing and developing. At the same time, it taught me that this kind of process is much more complex than one might expect. I did not sew the dress myself because I didn’t have the skills to complete it in such a short time. However, I wasn’t prepared for how challenging it would be to manage the work and stay in control. In the end, the design didn’t turn out exactly as I had imagined, but I keep that as a reminder for next time—to learn what to do differently and hopefully have a smoother process.
If this was your first chapter in fashion storytelling, what do you want the second chapter to challenge?
This was my first chapter, but certainly not the last one. I am more motivated than ever to keep going, to challenge myself, and to put myself out there. This experience gave me the perfect push to become more ambitious in showing what I am capable of, both now and in the future. Marangoni also helps me stay motivated every day, and I hope to apply what I learn at school to future projects. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of my journey, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
