Seven works from the collection of ITS Arcademy – Museum of Art in Fashion at the 24th International Exhibition of Triennale Milano, “Inequalities”

Fondazione ITS is pleased to announce the participation of seven works from the ITS Arcademy collection in the exhibition The Republic of Longevity – In Health Equality We Trust, part of the 24th International Exhibition of Triennale Milano – Inequalities, taking place from 13 May to 9 November 2025.

Curated by Nic Palmarini, Director of the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing, and Marco Sammicheli, Director of the Museo del Design Italiano at Triennale Milano, the exhibition explores the theme of ageing and inequality, exploring how positive systemic change can be achieved through everyday actions that enhance wellbeing and quality of life. The selected works from the ITS Arcademy collection will be exhibited alongside design projects, artworks, data visualisations, publications, and campaigns which portray – in both symbolic and creative terms – the five key dimensions of healthy ageing. 

The seven works on display are the result of imaginative and thought-provoking explorations by emerging designers from around the world:

Hiroki Kataoka

As a child, Hiroki was unable to swim in the ocean due to a skin condition. The sea, as a symbol of the inaccessible, became a source of inspiration for his playfully surreal footwear collection — a poetic dedication to those who feel trapped in a world that limits their desires. His designs are an attempt to address restricted movement and physical limitation.

Hiroki Kataoka, trained in 3D design, participated in ITS Contest in 2015 and has since launched his own eponymous brand. His shoes, handmade and boldly expressive, merge Japanese geek culture, anime, manga, and street fashion into an explosion of colour and creativity.

Emma Chopowa and Laura Lowena

Their collaborative work draws on Bulgarian folk costume and 1980s climbing gear, merging heritage and performative aesthetics into a collection that reimagines dress codes to celebrate active, embodied lifestyles in which the body moves, protects, and expresses itself. 

Selected as finalists in the 2018 edition of ITS Contest, Emma Chopowa and Laura Lowena went on to establish Chopova Lowena — a label acclaimed for its singular aesthetic, grounded in cultural hybridity, sustainable practice, and artisanal precision. In 2024, their visionary approach was recognised by the British Fashion Council with the award of the Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.

Kexuan Teresa Liu

Kexuan Teresa Liu’s accessories gently subvert visual expectations, inviting viewers to question conventional perceptions of reality. Her work dissolves the boundaries between prosthetics, garments, and ornaments. Through tactile engagement, these objects heighten bodily awareness and reawaken a sense of connection to one’s own physicality, encouraging cognitive flexibility — a vital resource in the ageing process.

A graduate in Fashion Jewellery from London College of Fashion and a finalist in the 2024 edition of ITS Contest, Liu continues to explore the fluid boundaries of perception, challenging established notions of reality through her practice.

Tal Maslavi

Maslavi’s practice occupies the space between performative art and product design. Drawing inspiration from ASMR, his work responds to the increasing need for physical connection in an increasingly digital world. His pieces encourage a renewed engagement with sensory pleasure as a means of fostering both mental and physical wellbeing.

Following his presentation at ITS Contest 2024, Tal Maslavi established a brand that continues to translate his performative and often surreal design language into a series of wearable objects, blurring the line between art and function.

Aitor Goicoechea

Aitor Goicoechea’s emotionally resonant collection is rooted in memories of shared meals with his father. Everyday tableware is reimagined as a vessel for intimacy and care, transforming the ritual of dining into an act of emotional sustenance and connection.

Aitor’s work is characterised by a rich use of colour, expressive knitwear, and an intimate exploration of the male body, shaped by Mediterranean and South American cultural influences. Since participating in ITS Contest 2021, he has continued to develop his practice through a series of limited-edition collections under his eponymous label.

Ivan Delogu

Delogu creates sculptural garments using recycled materials and artisanal techniques. His practice serves as a metaphor for the interwoven networks of care, knowledge, and resilience that underpin one of the world’s longest-living communities.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins and a finalist in the 2024 edition of ITS Contest, Delogu recently spent a year in Sardinia conducting in-depth research into local traditions. He is currently pursuing an MA in Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins, which he is expected to complete in February 2026.

Rui Zeng

Zeng’s work examines the smile — an expression often overlooked — through the lens of Moebius Syndrome. His collection explores the nuances of non-verbal communication and emotional connection, highlighting empathy and mutual recognition as essential elements in the experience of ageing.

After completing a degree in Fashion Accessories at Donghua University and a Master’s in Jewellery Design at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Zeng was selected as a finalist in the 2018 edition of ITS Contest. He has since worked as an accessories designer and currently creates jewellery for a leading Danish brand.

The ITS Arcademy Collection

With over 15,000 items, the ITS Arcademy collection is one of the most important archives in the world dedicated to emerging creativity in contemporary fashion. It includes garments, accessories, jewellery, portfolios, photographs and experimental projects by international designers selected through the various editions of ITS Contest – a platform that has launched many of today’s most innovative voices in fashion, accessories and jewellery design. The collection forms the beating heart of ITS Arcademy – Museum of Art in Fashion, the first contemporary fashion museum in Italy, based in Trieste.

Through its participation, Fondazione ITS reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting creative talent and positioning design as a catalyst for cultural innovation and social reflection.

“We are deeply honoured that the ITS Arcademy collection forms part of such a timely and essential dialogue as that initiated by Triennale Milano’s 24th International Exhibition. Each selected work reflects a process of research and transformation, embodying the visionary perspective of young designers who are not only interpreting the present, but actively responding to its complexities. Through creativity, we are proud to contribute to a renewed vision of longevity — one that is more just, more conscious, and more human.” — Barbara Franchin, President of Fondazione ITS and Director of ITS Arcademy – Museum of Art in Fashion

The seven works from the ITS Arcademy collection will be on view at the 24th International Exhibition of Triennale Milano until 9 November 2025.

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