Istituto Modartech + Manteco Academy's 2025 MANTECO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
The second MANTECO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD with Istituto Modartech had two winning projects: "SELFEDGE" and "ANASTASIS"
We arranged the second Manteco Sustainability Award with the Fashion Design students of Istituto Modartech, as we wanted to test their skills and let work on circular and sustainable fashion. The contest involved 10 groups of students and the choice was so difficult that we selected two winning projects.
"SELFEDGE" by Anita Carboni, Simona Germano, Rachele Nutini and Saigon Quilici Matteucci
The ultimate example of how selvedges can be reimagined into unique and striking garments: turning what is considered waste into a fully upcycled pieces
As the students have it, “We live in a society that demands efficiency, speed, and productivity. Every day we wear a role, a feed, an optimized version of ourselves. Emotions slow us down, creativity disrupts, fragility is not allowed. And so, behind the illusion of choice, grows conformity: all different, all the same. SELFEDGE was born as a response to this system.”
SELFEDGE is a project that rejects the smoothness of a pre-packaged identity and embraces the margin – the selvedge – as a place of truth. The edge of the fabric (selvedge) becomes a metaphor for the self that resists homogenization. The outfit embodies this tension: a rigid, structured coat recalls the social armor we put on every day. From the shawl collar and cuffs bursts the raw fur of the selvedge, a living memory of what cannot be hidden: emotional matter, true identity. The trousers, with their straight cut, are entirely crafted from selvedge fabric: a visual and tactile contradiction that expresses the desire for freedom beneath a rigid and imposed form. Finally, the seams, the stiff collar, the exaggerated cuffs and restrictive closures tell of the impossibility to act, to create. Yet on the back, a deep cut at the spine opens onto an intimate space, a possibility of revelation.
"ANASTASIS" by Arianna Portolano, Greta Orlandi, Abbarchi Rachele and Elena Verdoni
From tradition to metamorphosis: fashion as conscious rebirth
As the students have it, “Our idea begins with the study of the society around us. we are constantly called to change; everything seems fleeting, impermanent. In this historical moment, it is essential to understand how to keep pace with the continuous rhythms of transformation, but also – and above all – to learn how to do so in a sustainable way. Through this project we want to raise awareness of a key theme: fashion is not just trend. It is an art form that connects us to the world around us, translating into tangible form the dialogue between the need for renewal and the continuity of artisanal tradition, marked by quality and reuse.“
The term anastasis comes from ancient greek aná (ana) – “upward, above” – and stásis – “to stand, to rise”. In its purest meaning, it refers to the act of rising, of standing up again after a fall, the return to life after a moment of stillness or dissolution – it carries the profound sense of resurrection, understood not only as physical return, but also as spiritual renewal and transformation of being. Anastasis is a symbol of an evolutionary process: a metamorphosis that takes place not only in the garment itself, but also in the identity of the person who wears it. It represents a threshold moment, when something old dissolves to make room for the new — a conscious rebirth, rooted in tradition yet looking forward, toward a more fluid, authentic, and transformative existence.
Each garment is born from regenerated materials and reimagined with tailoring mastery: forgotten shirts flow into draped silhouettes, recycled jackets transform into modern blazers that shift function with a simple gesture. detachable flaps, inspired by the translucent wings of the dragonfly, unfold into a pouch – a symbol of adaptability, movement, and practicality. double-layer trousers adapt to multiple uses, offering versatility while reducing excess.
Every seam tells a story of transformation, every detail unites tradition and innovation. guided by an oriental sense of balance, modularity, and durability, the designs resist fleeting trends and embrace longevity. Anastasis is more than an outfit: it is a manifesto of change: an invitation to see fashion as a living art, evolving with us and accompanying the many transformations of life.
Sign up for Manteco updates
Type your e-mail address and stay up to date on Manteco news, events and initiatives