Manichino d’Oro 2026: double victory for Giada Zanoni (Veneto)

Giada Zanoni, finalist representing the Veneto Region, has been crowned winner of the Manichino d’Oro 2026, the prestigious award of the tailoring competition organized by the National Academy of Tailors and sponsored by Carnet, a division of Ratti S.p.A. SB.

The award ceremony for the biennial Manichino d’Oro 2026 competition took place on June 6 in the garden of the prestigious W Hotel in the heart of Rome. Organized by the National Academy of Tailors and sponsored by Carnet, a division of Ratti S.p.A. SB, the event was hosted by journalist Erica Tuccino. During the ceremony, the Gesso d’Oro 2026 Award for the best pattern drafting was presented to Teodora Esposito, finalist from the Campania Region. The Ditale d’Oro Award for the highest-quality craftsmanship was awarded to Giada Zanoni, who therefore achieved a remarkable double victory.

With 102 applicants from across Italy—double the number recorded in the previous edition—and 14 finalists under the age of 40 admitted to the final stage of the national bespoke womenswear tailoring competition, the 2026 edition achieved record-breaking results. This success confirms the growing relevance of the competition and the importance of the award within the Italian tailoring landscape.

The final stage

The challenge, designed by Competition Director Maestra Lucia Lacognata, required all finalists to work with the same type and quantity of fabric supplied by Carnet – Ratti S.p.A. SB Division. Competitors were prohibited from contacting the outside world, digital devices were not allowed, and each participant was tasked with creating a tailored jacket. Finalists from all Italian regions gathered at the National Academy of Tailors in Rome to take part in an intensive and highly educational competition dedicated to sartorial excellence. Throughout the week-long challenge, each participant was required to demonstrate technical expertise, precision, and creative ability.

The completed garments were presented during a dedicated fashion show and evaluated, together with their corresponding patterns, by an expert jury composed of the Academy’s Fashion Committee, representing associated womenswear tailoring ateliers from every Italian region. All evaluations were conducted anonymously, ensuring maximum transparency and impartiality.

The fashion committee’s verdict

Technical precision, execution quality, and stylistic sensitivity were among the key criteria adopted by the jury in selecting the winner of Manichino d’Oro 2026.
The final verdict crowned Giada Zanoni, already winner of the Special Gesso d’Oro Award in 2024, who once again reached the top of the podium with an outstanding achievement.

“I would like to express my appreciation for the quality of work produced and for the exceptionally high standard demonstrated by all finalists in this edition of Manichino d’Oro. I also had the opportunity to serve as a judge during the regional selections in Puglia, and it was a truly meaningful experience,” stated Lorenzo Sassi, Sales Manager of Carnet – Ratti Group, who presented the award to the winner on behalf of the company.

The special Ditale d’Oro and Gesso d’Oro Awards were presented by Federica Carone and Elena Ferrari, winners of the Manichino d’Oro competition in 2024 and 2019 respectively.

The future of italian tailoring

“This edition of Manichino d’Oro represents the first official event of the Academy’s new leadership and therefore holds particularly significant symbolic value for me,” declared Daniele Piscioneri, President of the National Academy of Tailors.

“Manichino d’Oro is not merely a competition; it is a concrete investment in the future of Italian tailoring and an opportunity to celebrate the dedication, commitment, and quality that every participant brings to the profession.”

The President concluded by thanking Competition Director Lucia Lacognata, the Regional Delegates, and Carnet – Ratti Group for their decisive contribution to the success of the event, reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to supporting new generations of bespoke womenswear tailoring professionals and creating opportunities for talent, expertise, and innovation to flourish and find full expression.

Carnet – Division of Ratti SpA SB

Carnet, a division of Ratti S.p.A. SB (part of the Marzotto Group), is a leading name in the Italian and international textile industry. Since 1860, it has embodied the perfect combination of tradition and innovation, offering premium fabrics for contemporary tailoring.Carnet serves as a trusted partner for tailors, emerging designers, ateliers, and Made-to-Measure brands, providing an exclusive cut-length service with 24-hour delivery from a selection of over 4,000 carefully curated fabrics. This highly efficient service is designed to meet the needs of modern tailoring through speed, precision, and uncompromising quality.

Carnet proudly supports the National Academy of Tailors, sharing its mission of educating, promoting, and empowering new generations of tailors. The company strongly believes in young talent, artisanal craftsmanship, and the value of Made in Italy, fostering a culture of fashion based on quality, time-honored expertise, and authentic craftsmanship.