Starbucks and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana Together to Support Emerging Fashion Talent
In a world that is constantly evolving, where creativity drives change, Starbucks proudly partnered with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana for the Milano Moda Graduate project, now in its eleventh edition.
Launched in 2015 and dedicated to students from Italian fashion schools, the initiative represents a unique platform to promote the talent of the new generation. On September 28, at Via Arcivescovo Calabiana 6 in Milan, 16 young designers from 8 Italian schools presented their collections in front of an international jury of industry experts. The show was hosted by influencer and presenter Nilufar Addati.
For this edition, we chose to support the Fashion Design category in particular, offering the six finalists a special place to tell their stories: the Starbucks Reserve™ Roastery Milano. Through the project “It happened one night (in Starbucks)”, the iconic spaces of the Roastery became the set for the video portraits that accompanied their collections, giving voice and visibility to the new generation of Italian fashion.
A Dialogue Between Worlds: Fashion and Coffee Craftsmanship
Among sacks of green coffee beans, industrial-style machinery, and soft lighting reflecting off chrome surfaces, an unexpected dialogue came to life—between the world of artisanal coffee roasting and that of emerging fashion.
Not just a location, but a symbol: the Roastery as a metaphor for craftsmanship, for time dedicated, for skilled hands. Like coffee, fashion also begins with raw material that takes shape through knowledge, patience, and passion. Each garment is the result of research, intuition, and a precise gesture. Each portrait filmed in this space was a tribute to craftsmanship and to the beauty that comes from doing things well.
In this encounter between fabrics and roasting, between silhouettes and aromas, the art of authentic creation was celebrated. Because excellence, in all its forms, speaks of imaginative strength and intuition. And for one night, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery became a runway of creativity.
A Concrete Commitment to the Future
As Louise Mills, General Manager and Director of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano, shared:
“At Starbucks, we believe in the power of creativity and the importance of investing in people—especially the next generation of talent. That’s why opening the doors of our Roastery to young designers was not just a symbolic gesture, but a true act of trust in the future.
In a space where every detail is crafted with care and every aroma tells a story, we wanted to create a dialogue between craftsmanship and vision, between roasting and textiles, between skilled hands and bold ideas.
Through initiatives like Milano Moda Graduate, we celebrate the vibrant energy, the diversity of perspectives, and the bold imagination that young creatives bring to the cultural fabric of Milan. Because excellence, in every form, always begins with an authentic gesture.”
With this collaboration, Starbucks reaffirmed its commitment to supporting culture, creativity, and the next generation—helping build a future where talent and passion can thrive.
