Francesco Matera wins over Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana with MATERIA, an evolution of his IED thesis that merges adaptive fashion, innovation, and functional design.
Date
05 June 2026
A major milestone for the IED Alumni network: Francesco Saverio Matera is the winner of the prestigious Camera Moda Fashion Trust Grant 2026, securing €70,000 in financial support to fuel the growth and development of his brand, MATERIA.
The project roots itself right within the classrooms of IED Milano, where it first came to life as a Fashion Design thesis project. From that initial intuition, Matera carved out a path outside the traditional logic of the fashion system, building a brand that seamlessly weaves together adaptive fashion, technological innovation, and functional design.
The genesis of MATERIA is deeply personal and powerful: "I started by dressing my quadriplegic brother," shares the designer and Creative Director. Out of this real-world need grew a collection with a genderless aesthetic aimed at restoring balance and harmony between human beings and their surroundings. By designing sustainable garments capable of adapting to diverse body requirements, the brand champions equality and redefines the very concept of inclusivity: making the act of getting dressed easier, more dignified, and accessible to everyone.
"This recognition represents an important milestone, but also a greater responsibility," stated Francesco Matera. "It motivates me to continue building a future where design can have a real and positive impact on people’s lives."
For IED, Francesco’s victory stands as confirmation of a shared vision: fashion that goes beyond mere aesthetics to become a cutting-edge tool capable of addressing society's real needs, merging creativity, technology, and a deep sense of ethical responsibility.
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