The Italian fashion spotlight was turned on last night at the Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan, an industrial setting with a strong contemporary appeal that hosted the sixth edition of the CNMI Fashion Trust Grants 2026, the initiative promoted by Camera Moda Fashion Trust in support of independent Made in Italy brands. An evening that brought together designers, entrepreneurs, international editors, creatives and protagonists of the fashion system in an elegant but deeply future-oriented atmosphere for Italian fashion.
The Gala Dinner, the central moment of the event, took place in the spaces of the Fabbrica del Vapore transformed for the occasion into a sophisticated and contemporary environment, where the dialogue between creativity, industry and innovation was the leitmotif of the entire evening. Amidst scenic tables, international guests and high-profile networking, the dinner celebrated emerging Italian talent and the value of a fashion system increasingly attentive to independent design and sustainability.
This year’s edition registered about 80 entries from all over Italy. After an initial technical selection, eleven brands made it to the finals: ACT N°1, ANDREA BROCCA ALTA MODA, DES_PHEMMES, DOMENICO OREFICE, GROSSI, INSTITUTION, LUTCHMIAH, MATERIA, PECORANERA, UNKNOWN ARTISAN and UNTITLED ARTWORKS.
Three grants worth 70,000 euros each were awarded during the evening to the brands selected by the prestigious international committee called to evaluate the finalists for the 2026 edition. Winning the CNMI Fashion Trust Grant 2026 were: ACT N°1, INSTITUTION, MATERIA, selected by the international evaluation committee.
During the day on May 28, the finalist designers presented their collections and explained to the committee the development project related to the use of the funds, outlining strategies for growth, sustainability and international consolidation of their respective brands. Declaring the winners was an exceptional jury composed of some of the most influential personalities in the international fashion system, including Carlo Capasa, Marco Bizzarri, Roberta Benaglia, Anna Dello Russo, Sara Sozzani Maino, Suzy Menkes, Antonio Marras and Leo Rongone, along with editors, entrepreneurs, creatives and talent scouts representing the different souls of the contemporary fashion industry today.
Guests attending the dinner included representatives of CNMI member maisons, Italian and international journalists, buyers, stylists and industry professionals, who gathered to support a new generation of creatives who are redefining the codes of Made in Italy through contemporary languages, artisanal research and experimentation.
More than just a financial award, the CNMI Fashion Trust Grant confirms itself as a concrete accompaniment project for young Made in Italy talents. In addition to financial support, the selected designers will in fact access a path of mentoring and strategic consulting built thanks to the Trust’s international network.
“Supporting young designers today means giving space to the future of Italian fashion,” said Carlo Capasa, Chairman of CNMI. A message that ran through the entire Milan evening, underscoring the urgency of investing in independent creativity and sustainable designs at a time of strong transformation for the sector.
The support of the initiative’s partners, realized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Agenzia ICE, as well as the contribution of patrons Style Capital SGR and Rosewood Rome, is also fundamental. In an increasingly competitive landscape, the CNMI Fashion Trust Grant thus continues to represent one of the most interesting observatories on the new languages of Italian fashion, offering emerging designers not only visibility, but concrete tools to transform talent into business.
