Talking about a reality show in a scenario article dedicated to customisation machines? That’s possible if the show is the one organised by Atelier della Stampa, which recently launched the second edition of its contest between two teams of young fashion talents, tasked with creating two collections through the technologies in use at their headquarters in Rozzano, Milan, enhanced for the event at the tailoring atelier made available by Gianpiero Urzetta. This was all followed by the cameras, of course, trained firmly on the contestants, faithfully recording the birth of a collective from a meeting of individuals with distinct personalities, in the space of a few hours.

And so, among the machines of the atelier and then, at the end of the day, through the rooms, the kitchen and the creative corners of the Corte di Milano “social place”, the themes were chosen, pursuing inspirations and defining the concept under the supervision of the two team coaches, Domenico Di Rosa and Valentina Poltronieri. The next day, the emerging stylists and designers – with an average age of 30 – presented the two collections “Byoolz” and “Pasari” to a select panel of professionals and journalists from the industry. “Pasari” emerged as the winner of the contest.

“Pasari” outfits look to the Paris of the early decades of the 20th century, with a strong colonial flavour. A wide range of more and less traditional solutions were used to create them: “The screen printing technique that best represents me compared to others and which I preferred is Puff print,” said Roberta Zito, one of the contestants on the winning team. “The relief inks, which create 3D effects, remind me of three-dimensional embroidery and the idea of combining the two techniques really fascinates me.” The Goccopro digital frame for screen printing proved to perform extremely well in this type of printing.

Scented and fluorescent inks, with which Andrea Battisti was able to experiment in combination with screen printing, were also very popular.

Young Chinese designer Manco Fan was instead inspired by the metallic colours made possible by screen printing, but also digital printing, which characterises the Brother GTX machine, capable of decorating T-shirts and other clothing using DTG technology applying inkjet directly to the fabric.

The team led by Domenico Di Rosa, on the other hand, presented a women’s collection directed entirely towards revealing elegance and exclusivity despite requesting more affordable budgets. That’s no longer a utopian goal, thanks to technologies such as 3D printing, which Giorgia Argiolas studied in-depth well before she took part in the contest, which she enhanced with the items produced in her laboratory. “Using software and 3D printers,” confirmed Argiolas, “I created accessories made of Pla+, an innovative bioplastic derived from the sugars found in maize, beetroot, sugar cane and other natural and renewable materials. I also made a shoe out of TPU, a material which is elastic and flexible, but also sturdy and durable, with high resistance to wear as well as oils and solvents.”

Needless to say, classic tailor’s scissors weren’t used for cutting either, but the CO₂ laser of the DPS (distributor for the GCC brand) machine in operation at Atelier della Stampa, used to cut and engrave recycled fabrics and leathers (sustainability was a recurring theme in the contest).

If proof were needed that next-generation equipment can pick up the baton of traditional haute couture, it arrived promptly from the reality show featuring the young talents who answered Atelier della Stampa’s call. And, as befits great stylists, they will display their creations on the catwalk at the Sardegna EventExpo area managed by Atelier della Stampa Milano Academy.