ITS Contest 2026 – Anna Maria Vescovi – Requiem

Anna Maria Vescovi has centered this womenswear collection on her first-hand archival research into Opéra Garnier’s 19th century costume jewelry, a collection of unique historical significance. Crafted from deceptively simple materials, the pieces were made specially for opera or ballet performances from the Second Empire onwards and embodied theatrical illusion, helping to define the characters’ identities. Vescovi has paired them with a deep passion for her Sicilian heritage, envisioning an unassuming Sicilian “nonna” who doubles as a kleptomaniac and steals gold relics from a nearby church. Heavy handmade embroideries and traditional Sicilian womenswear crafted from decadent textiles come together with a dash of cunning irony. Project selection motivation In Requiem, embroidery becomes confession and ornament turns into narrative. Treasures from the Opéra Garnier are spirited away by a cunning Sicilian grandmother and reimagined within a wardrobe steeped in decadent satire. Anna’s collection suggests that creativity recognises no borders, no fixed traditions to obey. It becomes a playful yet pointed reminder that heritage can be re-written, subverted, and celebrated all at once.