The fourth edition of “Fashion Bridges – I Ponti della Moda” is being presented by the Embassy of Italy in Pretoria, in partnership with Polimoda Firenze and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, and South African Fashion Week (SAFW). The project aims at structuring an innovative partnership between the Italian and South African fashion sectors, creating connections and encouraging collaboration in this field.
The Italian designer Andrea Adamo will stage his Spring-Summer collection during two fashion events in Johannesburg and Cape Town. On 19 April 2024 at 20:00, the first show will take place on at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg, during the SAFW. The exhibition of the Italian designer will be combined with that of the South African designer, Lezanne Viviers, who underwent last year a mentorship programme with Polimoda Firenze School of Fashion.
The second fashion show will be held at the Residence of the Ambassador of Italy in Cape Town, on 24 April 2024, where Andrea Adamo will show together with the South African designer Michael Ludwig.
Furthermore, during his stay in South Africa, the Italian designer will have the opportunity to interact with stakeholders and buyers in the South African fashion industry.
A key part of Fashion Bridges is the mentorship program organized by Polimoda with the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. Addressed every year to an emerging South African designer, it represents an important opportunity for skills learning and artistic growth. This summer, the South African designer Sipho Mbuto will take part in the training, producing a collection with the support of Polimoda professors.
🇮🇹 Italian designer: Andrea Adamo
Born in 1984 in Crotone, Andrea Adamo embarked on his fashion career at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna. After completing his studies, he worked in Italy and Paris for well-known brands and designers such as Elisabetta Franchi, Zuhair Murad, Roberto Cavalli and Dolce&Gabbana.
In early 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, he decided to create his own brand, ANDREĀDAMO, following the desire to express himself without limits. The taste and way of being embodied in his creations were born during his childhood in Crotone, also thanks to his seamstress grandmother with whom he cultivated his dream of becoming a designer.
Brand Profile
ANDREĀDAMO was courageously born in the first half of 2020 when the designer felt the need to express his creativity without constraints.
Colors do not exist. In the current day where fairness and social equality are still questioned, ANDREĀDAMO chooses not to have color to claim diversity as an essential strength.
The materials are almost like a second skin: some are figure-hugging to create bold body shapes. There is no shame: ANDREĀDAMO is courage, strength, and pride.
There is pride and no embarrassment: this is what Andrea Adamo wants to express with his garments, using atypical silhouettes and experimenting with materials.
The ANDREĀDAMO woman is simply herself.