Matteo Faccendi – Designer “Guests of the world”
Marini Industrie
“Like many here in Prato, I also have textiles in my blood.”
What is your definition of “creativity”?
Certainly, the ability to always invent something stylistically new using the same kind of raw materials. In this profession we have the opportunity to express a kind of creativity submitted to and in compliance with a series of tracks dictated by social and cultural trends. Obviously when creating, one must always keep in mind the strategies of the company for which you work and the markets with which you interact. But beyond this, the creative component remains central since the interpretation of trends is still the key to introducing new life onto the market.
What was a first milestone you reached in this role as a designer?
The first goal was to become responsible for a collection. After the coaching and the apprenticeship necessary to better understand all the processing phases, in 2015 Marini Industrie entrusted me with the “Guests of the World” collection.
What prompted you to undertake your path as a designer / creative within the district? Where did your passion for the world of fabrics come from?
Like many here in Prato, I also have textiles in my blood. Among the first memories I have are those of my father Franco who was spinning: already as a child I was very curious about the raw materials and the shapes they were able to take thanks to the blending machine that dropped coloured flakes similar to snow. From then on, thanks first to the experience in the family and then to studies, I got to know all the processes of the supply chain in depth. In short, mine is a passion that comes from way back!
What would you recommend to those who want to take your path?
To broaden the horizons as much as possible. Not only technical knowledge and inspiration but also knowledge of foreign languages, curiosity, and desire to learn. Moreover, the textile technician often directly faces fashion designers, and it is really useful, in my opinion, to have various skills such as notions of product marketing and eco-design.
What do you expect from this profession in the future?
I expect a growing awareness of the sustainability question and a decisive reduction in waste which unfortunately still affects the fashion supply chain. It is an ambitious goal but there are realities, such as that of the Prato district, where it is demonstrated that united, we can make progress.
