IED and ModaLisboa Fuse Art and Fashion in Lisbon with 'Repeat the Action'

Last Tuesday, September 30, the Italian Embassy in Lisbon became the distinguished venue for an innovative fashion show titled 'Repeat the Action'. This significant event was a collaborative effort between IED – Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan – and ModaLisboa, marking the opening of the Lisbon catwalk with a curated selection of looks from thirteen promising young IED designers. The featured talents included Ainhize Ganzabal Santiago, Anna Serra, Arianna Pejrani, Carlotta Gadda, Daniele Dargenio, Denise Vecchi, Eloi Sacristan, Haiqi Zhou, Michel Mahfoud, Miguel Conde Garcia-Mochales, Natalia Arroyas, Roberto Niutta, and Simone Smeriglio.

The 'Repeat the Action' fashion show delved deeply into the concept of repetition as a transformative practice, as indicated by its evocative title. This thematic exploration drew profound inspiration from an insightful conversation between choreographer Lenio Kaklea and curator Caroline Bourgeois, centered on the pioneering work of visionary American artist Bruce Nauman. Having begun his career in the 1960s, Nauman famously articulated the belief that "freedom is a form of discipline" and that repetition is an indispensable element for progress – a philosophy IED highlighted on its official website as central to the show's narrative. Fashion, in this context, was presented as a virtuous system, deliberately challenging the conformity often found in traditional staging.

The show's format fostered an open and permeable dialogue, where individual creative proposals harmoniously coexisted with hybrid artistic expressions, including music, dance, and performance art. All these elements converged to explore common, fundamental themes such as the body, sociability, collectivity, and exchange. Beyond the confines of a classic fashion-show format, 'Repeat the Action' embraced a compelling performative dimension as an essential component of its narrative. By involving local Lisbon talent, the event actively promoted new encounters and exchanges, thereby enriching the dialogue between diverse cultural and artistic contexts.

The Italian Embassy in Lisbon was thoughtfully chosen as a symbolic space for this unique event. It served not merely as a venue but as a multifaceted symbol – "a threshold, an enclave, a border, but also a bridge, a door, a refuge." Simultaneously, as a diplomatic institution and residence, the Embassy embodies "representation and protection, organisation and prestige." This dual role effectively linked distinct universes within a single fashion show that proudly bore the quintessential "Made in Italy" signature, showcasing Italian excellence on an international stage.

Adding a broader context to the event, the Italian Embassy in Lisbon shared insights on its social media platforms, describing 'Repeat the Action' as "the Portuguese stage of the Grand Tour for Higher Education in Art and Music (AFAM)." This extensive project, coordinated by RUFA – Rome University of Fine Arts and generously funded by the European Union under the NextGenerationEU initiative, aims to promote enriching educational experiences for art students both in Italy and abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is also a key partner in this endeavor, aligning with the Embassy's steadfast commitment to supporting Italian creativity, fostering dynamic dialogue with Portuguese creativity, and consistently emphasizing the ethical dimension and sustainability of such cultural projects.

As further elaborated by IED, this event is an integral part of the biennial GTA Grand Tour AFAM programme. This significant international project, funded by the European Union, is dedicated to promoting Italian culture and creativity through a series of impactful artistic and educational experiences across Italy and beyond. Coordinated by CNR ISPC and RUFA – Rome University of Fine Arts, GTA is strategically structured into two distinct phases: 'Creating in Italy' and 'Networking'. Its overarching and central aim is to facilitate cultural exchange and dialogue, while critically connecting younger generations with the professional world, thus shaping the future of artistic and creative industries.