Cover NABA's new London campus is an inspiring space that connects creative students with the global context of art and fashion.
NABA's new London campus is an inspiring space that connects creative students with the global context of art and fashion.
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No rules, just raw inspiration and innovation. Discover how NABA praises its alumni, the creative disruptors the world is looking for.
As the cinema lights dim and the climax of the legendary film The Devil Wears Prada 2 graces the screen, all eyes are drawn to a scene where global icon Lady Gaga dons a mesmerising black silk taffeta corset. This masterpiece, featuring corded details and a double metal zip, does not hail from a heritage couture house. Rather, it is the creation of Lorenzo Seghezzi, an emerging designer and alumnus of NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, Italy's premier art and design Academy.
NABA, recently crowned as Italy’s number one academy of art and design by the QS World University Rankings® by Subject Art & Design, praises the achievement of Lorenzo, whose Hollywood breakthrough is no happy coincidence: it is aligned with the vision fostered at the Academy to abandon rigorous academic traditions and instead introduce new visions and languages closer to contemporary artistic and professional practice.
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Above The climactic scene from the movie The Devil Wears Prada 2 features Lady Gaga appearing in an iconic corset designed by a NABA alumnus.
The climactic scene from the movie The Devil Wears Prada 2 features Lady Gaga appearing in an iconic corset designed by a NABA alumnus.
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Above Behind the scenes of Lorenzo Seghezzi's design and tailoring of masterpiece corsets, blending craftsmanship with rebellious ideas.
Behind the scenes of Lorenzo Seghezzi's design and tailoring of masterpiece corsets, blending craftsmanship with rebellious ideas.
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The DNA of NABA
Founded in 1980, the Academy’s teaching methodology is based on an interdisciplinary approach, oriented towards research, innovation, and experimentation on the most current topics, such as new technologies, AI, and sustainability. This very spirit influenced Lorenzo’s own identity.
His work represents the collision of two worlds: merging the highest traditional Italian tailoring techniques with the progressive influence of a generation that outright rejects market-dictated dogmas. He champions inclusivity and slow fashion, dismantling the gender binary and abolishing standard sizing. This unapologetic courage to be authentic is precisely what captured the attention of a global film production team.
Above The atmosphere in the fashion studio, which resembles a professional laboratory, provides students with the space to create designs freely and gain practical experience.
The atmosphere in the fashion studio, which resembles a professional laboratory, provides students with the space to create designs freely and gain practical experience.
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Above A fully equipped workshop ready to support every step of the thinking and experimenting process in creating future designs.
A fully equipped workshop ready to support every step of the thinking and experimenting process in creating future designs.
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Above A multimedia design project that transcends the boundaries of traditional art by integrating cutting-edge technology into the performance.
Above The distinctive style of students on campus.
A multimedia design project that transcends the boundaries of traditional art by integrating cutting-edge technology into the performance.
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A global playground for future visions
NABA does not stop at cultivating a limitless mindset; it has built a truly borderless learning ecosystem. Operating across campuses in Milan and Rome, and with its expansion to London slated for the 2026/27 Academic Year, the Academy connects students directly to the international art circuit. Beyond drawing inspiration from the world's creative capitals, NABA’s true competitive edge lies in its interdisciplinary teaching methodology. Here, exquisite craftsmanship is married with rigorous research and experimentation. Whether integrating artificial intelligence, cutting-edge innovation, or sustainability as core design pillars, the curriculum is tailor-made to meet the demands of tomorrow’s industries.
The educational approach heavily emphasises practical application through collaborations with top-tier brands. Students receive briefs directly from creative industry leaders, transforming classrooms into professional design studios. They learn to navigate real market demands, master project management, and understand consumer behaviour—invaluable, beyond-the-textbook skills that thoroughly prepare them before they even enter the field.
Above Integrating cutting-edge technology and innovation into the design process to meet the needs of future industries.
Integrating cutting-edge technology and innovation into the design process to meet the needs of future industries.
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Above A contemporary art exhibition space that provides students with the opportunity to express their vision and present cutting-edge design concepts.
A contemporary art exhibition space that provides students with the opportunity to express their vision and present cutting-edge design concepts.
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NABA's campuses also serve as microcosm industry platforms. This is most evident during the mid-year degree exhibitions and annual fashion shows. These events transform the university grounds into professional showcases, drawing industry insiders and representatives from elite fashion houses who come to scout trends and discover the next big thing right from the front row. It is an environment that throws the doors to the industry wide open for students well before graduation.
Lorenzo’s silver-screen triumph is the ultimate testament to the opportunities and unwavering support provided by this ecosystem. Reflecting on this milestone, Lorenzo shared: "This is a dream come true for me. Seeing my brand involved in a production of this calibre represents a fundamental milestone... I want to thank the team of extraordinary professionals for choosing and welcoming my creative universe into a film that is so iconic for the public."
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Above NABA's annual fashion show is a small-scale industry platform that provides a space for student designs to shine in front of leading brands.
NABA's annual fashion show is a small-scale industry platform that provides a space for student designs to shine in front of leading brands.
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Ultimately, NABA is not merely producing skilled designers; it is refining the next generation of creative thought leaders who are ready to reshape the industry. This is unmistakably reflected in the numbers: according to a survey by the Ipsos Doxa research institute, a remarkable 92 per cent of NABA’s graduates successfully enter the professional world within just one year. It is definitive proof that NABA is far more than an art school—it is the ultimate launchpad for exceptional young talent, ready to drive and set new standards in the global creative sphere.
Naba's Milan campus is a space for exchanging inspiration that helps cultivate design vision for a new generation of creatives.
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Chutima Katepongchai is an assistant editor covering design, architecture, and lifestyle. Based in Bangkok, she writes about homes, spaces, and stylish living through the lens of beauty and culture.
