At Starbucks, inspired by our mission and promises, we've always looked at coffee and seen more than just a beverage. From our initial inspiration in Milan, coffee has been a catalyst for connection and an influential part of culture. This September, the Starbucks Reserve™ Roastery Milano continued its collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (the Italian Chamber of Fashion), building on the partnership that began in 2023 with the launch of Oleato™.

This season, the collaboration spotlighted the fashion brand BruceGlen, founded by designer twins Bruce and Glen Proctor, and celebrated the upcoming global launch of Starbucks® Milano Sole and Milano Luna.

The key event took place on the morning of September 18 at the Milano Roastery, where our partners Samantha, Roxanne, and Carlo donned BruceGlen designer outfits and hosted a special coffee tasting. Guests sampled Starbucks® Milano Duetto, a unique blend expressed through two bold, contrasting roasts: the light roast, Starbucks® Milano Sole, and the dark roast, Starbucks® Milano Luna, offering a preview of the global launch happening October 1 on the occasion of International Coffee Day.

During the coffee tasting, Carlo drew a fitting parallel between coffee and fashion. Just as a cup of coffee connects you with the many hands involved in its journey from farm to cup, wearing designer clothing allows you to feel the craftsmanship of the skilled tailors behind each piece. This connection, between people and creativity, was beautifully highlighted during the event.

Energized by the complex flavors of Starbucks® Milano Duetto, the morning continued with a Coffee & Conversation under the Roastery’s portico. Bruce and Glen Proctor, the dynamic duo behind BruceGlen, engaged in a lively discussion alongside Teneshia Carr, owner and editor of Blanc Magazine, which champions underrepresented designers and artists in the creative arts. The conversation centered on Bruce and Glen’s journey as Black American designers in the fashion industry, exploring themes of inclusion, diversity, and resilience — values deeply aligned with Starbucks’ commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive space.

Despite their challenging upbringing, Bruce and Glen always believed they were destined for more. Their determination, even in the face of cultural and financial obstacles, never wavered. They dreamed big and, with their bold and vibrant personalities, combined with a daring sense of fashion — “You can’t hide if you’re wearing a BruceGlen piece!” remarked Carr — they launched their own atelier. Their talent soon attracted the attention of Blanc Magazine, the Italian Chamber of Fashion, and the Reserve Roastery team in Milan.

The Proctors’ Spring 2025 collection, themed “Out of the Blue,” reflects their belief in the power of possibility. The collection embodies the idea that life can change in an instant, giving rise to those magical "suddenly moments." Their inspirational message and passion sparked creativity and imagination during the interview.

“When you are a kid, you dream easier, there’s nothing holding you back from imagining beautiful things. And then you get a little older and you start to realize the harsh realities of life, and you say, ‘oh my god, we have to be practical, we have to put food on the table, we can’t go off dreaming”. And we lose that essence of dreaming and imagination. So we wanted our collection to inspire people to get back to that,” Bruce and Glen shared.

 “At Starbucks, we believe that coffee and creativity are intertwined — every sip unlocking rich, new experiences”, Valentina Pagano, manager of marketing, partnerships and events of the Starbucks Reserve™ Roastery Milano, reflected on the collaboration. “We view coffee as a catalyst for storytelling and bringing creative minds together. BruceGlen is a brand we've long admired, and we are thrilled to host their presentation and highlight their journey. Their bold, uplifting message in fashion perfectly aligns with Starbucks’ mission to be a Third Place — a warm, welcoming space where everyone feels they belong.”

The day’s events continued with an exclusive brand presentation in the afternoon, where Bruce and Glen showcased their Out of the Blue collection. Journalists, VIPs, and 160 influencers gathered at the Arriviamo Bar to experience the clothing firsthand. Many had the opportunity to try on the vibrant pieces and walk the catwalk at the event’s photocall.

For the Roastery, it was a day filled with joy, positivity, and a deep sense of purpose. True to Starbucks’ mission of being a Third Place, the event reinforced the idea that coffee, like art, design, and fashion, has limitless potential to spark meaningful conversations, inspire dreams, and create lasting impact.

Bruce and Glen left the audience with a final message of encouragement: “Don’t be too busy to dream, okay? And don’t let the natural limitations stop you, okay”

Watch below for a recap of the most memorable moments from our Coffee & Conversation with Bruce and Glen.