New Threads - Full Conversation | Polimoda & Shima-Seiki Italia

Knitwear is one of fashion's most technically demanding disciplines. Mastering it means understanding not just how to design with it, but how it is actually made. Victor Brial, a fourth-year Fashion Design student at Polimoda with a deep focus on knitwear, applied for a scholarship offered by Shima Seiki Italia (@shimaseikiitalia6456) leader in flat knitting technology. Over four weeks at their Milan headquarters, he trained with professional programmers, learned to operate and code Shima Seiki machines, and built a technical foundation that has fundamentally changed how he approaches knitwear design. In this interview, conducted by fellow Polimoda student Julie Nunes at the Manifattura Campus, Victor walks through the entire experience, from the application process to his first days inside a professional knitting facility, from learning to work with industry-grade machines to reflecting on what knitwear means for him as an emerging designer. An honest conversation between two students, about craft, process, and what it feels like to step inside the industry for the first time. 🕒 Timestamps: 00:21 - Application Process 00:25 - Full Experience at Shima Seiki Italia HQ 02:01 - Scholarship Activities 02:51 - Using the Machines and Programmes 03:31 - Working by Hand 04:35 - Working in a Group 05:30 - Victor's Interest in Knitwear 06:48 - How Knitwear Influences Victor’s Work 07:33 - The Meaning of Knitwear for an Emerging Designer 08:33 - Memorable Moments 09:55 - Mistakes 10