ISTITUTO MARANGONI LONDON PRESENTS: NEIL BARRETT IN CONVERSATION AND MENTORSHIP

Karmen Parker
Nov 10
4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Following a celebrated series of Fashion Insider Talks featuring the likes of Sir Paul Smith, Simone Rocha, Rahul Mishra, Sarah Mower MBE, and Susie Lau (Susie Bubble), Istituto Marangoni London continues to open its renowned In Conversation events to the public.

Last week, Neil Barrett, visionary designer and founder of his eponymous brand, joined Istituto Marangoni London for an exclusive discussion exploring his creative journey - from Prada and Gucci to establishing a globally recognised label that continues to define modern menswear and minimalist innovation.

Imagery available HERE

A Visionary in Modern Menswear

Renowned for his clean, innovative aesthetic and pioneering approach to modern tailoring, Neil Barrett has redefined the visual language of menswear for over two decades. From his early years designing at Gucci and shaping Prada Menswear, to building his own global brand, Barrett’s work continues to fuse precision, innovation, and timelessness.

“I believe it’s important for students to hear different perspectives from professionals within the industry. Through sharing moments from my career journey, I give a personal insight into the world that has shaped my work, my passion, and share some experiences, both inspirational and difficult, that come with a life in fashion.” Neil Barrett

At Istituto Marangoni London, Barrett discussed his evolution from luxury heritage to independent innovation, and reflected on the future of fashion in a digital, globalised era.

“I’ve always believed design should be about clarity; of thought, purpose, and expression. It’s about stripping away what’s unnecessary and finding strength in simplicity,” adds Barrett. “Speaking with emerging designers allows me to share not only the craft but also the mindset required to build something lasting in an ever-shifting industry.”

“It was a pleasure to be in conversation with Marangoni London students. There is so much for a designer to share, especially when putting your experiences into context for young talents. I imagined being in their position and offered the kind of insight I would have wanted to hear if I were a fashion student today.”

Mentorship and Industry Connection

Neil Barrett’s collaboration with Istituto Marangoni London extends beyond the stage. As part of the school’s 2025/26 Mentorship Programme, Barrett is guiding BA Fashion Design (Level 6) students through their final-year collections, offering hands-on feedback and insight that bridge academic exploration with real-world practice.

His mentorship emphasises conceptual clarity, technical experimentation, and the fusion of craftsmanship and innovation, empowering students to develop their own design identity with confidence and precision.

On his mentorship, Barrett says: “Much of what I shared was about learning how to train your mind - how to look at your research, designs, fabric choices, colours, and prototypes from many perspectives, and understand that your proposals can be viewed from countless angles.”

“Neil embodies the intersection of craftsmanship and modernity that defines our curriculum,” says Adi Maoz-Cohen, Director of Education at Istituto Marangoni London. “His approach shows students how ideas evolve into global brands, and why disciplined creativity remains the most powerful tool a designer can have.”

Additional 2025/26 Mentorships

Philippa Nixon, CEO of Erdem – MA Fashion & Luxury Brand Management, BA Fashion Design (Year 2), BA Fashion Styling & Creative Direction (Year 3)

Drawing on leadership experience across Chloé, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton, Nixon mentors students in brand strategy, creative direction, and sustainable innovation.

Jay Osgerby OBE – MA Product & Interior Design

An internationally renowned industrial designer and co-founder of Barber Osgerby, Osgerby leads IML’s 2025/26 Design Scholarship Project, challenging students to merge heritage craftsmanship with emerging technologies in the exploration of future design.

Shaping the Next Generation of Creative Leaders

This academic year, Istituto Marangoni London celebrates its highest-ever employability results. Group-wide employability has risen from 89% to 91%, with the London campus achieving an exceptional 96% - an 11% leap from last year.

Graduates are entering the workforce faster, with stronger alignment between their studies and professional ambitions; a testament to Istituto Marangoni’s mission to equip students with the creativity, adaptability, and global insight that the industry demands.

With employability at record highs and a renewed programme of mentorships, industry talks, and scholarship projects, Istituto Marangoni London reaffirms its position as a hub for cultivating the next generation of creative leaders, where education and industry meet, and new ideas take flight.

About Istituto Marangoni

Istituto Marangoni was founded in 1935 as Istituto Artistico dell'Abbigliamento Marangoni in Milan and has over 85 years of experience in shaping fashion, art, and design experts. The institute has educated students from 5 continents over four generations and launched the careers of over 45,000 luxury professionals, including Domenico Dolce, Alessandro Sartori, Paula Cademartori, Gilda Ambrosio, Julie de Libran, and Nicola Brognano. According to a recent Doxa survey, Istituto Marangoni has an impressive employability rate of 91%, demonstrating the high quality of its educational programmes and the career readiness of its graduates.

Istituto Marangoni welcomes around 5,000 students annually from 108 different countries across its schools in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Dubai, Riyadh, Miami*, and Shenzhen*. The institution has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in its disciplines, according to the QS World University Ranking 2025.

* licensed schools

https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en

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