Enrollments Open for the Three-Year Men’s and Women’s Tailoring Sewing School
9 February 2026
The National Academy of Tailors at the Creattiva Fair in Bergamo from March 5 to 8, 2026
4 March 2026
There are 102 applicants for the biennial “Manichino d’Oro 2026” competition, promoted by the Accademia Nazionale dei Sartori APS – ETS and sponsored by Carnet, a division of Ratti SpA SB, marking a doubling of applications compared to the previous edition. This figure represents a significant milestone for the emerging talents of women’s bespoke tailoring, confirming a growing interest in the sartorial sector.
The “Manichino d’Oro 2026” is the prestigious award promoted by the Accademia Nazionale dei Sartori APS – ETS and supported by its official sponsor Carnet, division of Ratti SpA SB, a company long committed to enhancing the excellence of Italian tailoring. It is an important opportunity to celebrate the dressmaker or tailor who has distinguished themselves for style, technical expertise, creative flair, and formal rigor in bespoke women’s tailoring. Established in 2001 and open to dressmakers and tailors under the age of 40, both Italian and international professionals operating in Italy or abroad, the competition continues to serve as a benchmark for promoting haute couture tailoring and supporting new generations of industry professionals. Its purpose is to highlight emerging talent and creative ability, in continuity with the tradition and spirit of previous editions. This year once again, the competition is directed by Academic Master Lucia Lacognata.
The Competition Phases
The event opens with regional selections organized by Delegates at venues identified within each candidate’s region of reference. This format is designed to encourage the dissemination of the competition’s theme across local territories and to promote it within fashion schools and technical institutes, helping introduce younger generations to the tailoring profession. This objective is particularly relevant today, as the demand for highly qualified tailors significantly exceeds supply, making renewed efforts essential in transmitting artisanal skills and enhancing Made in Italy craftsmanship.
This will be followed by the national final, scheduled to take place in Rome from June 1 to June 6, 2026. The final represents a high-profile moment aimed at fostering direct and dynamic dialogue among the cultural, manufacturing, and artisanal sectors, encouraging a broad exchange of expertise, experience, and visions bridging tradition and contemporary perspectives. The professional paths of previous winners clearly demonstrate its value: Elena Ferrari, Pietro Monterosso, and Federica Carone are emblematic examples of how the competition has served as a meaningful springboard for careers in tailoring.
Excellence Awarded
The candidate achieving the highest overall score will be proclaimed the winner and will receive the official Manichino d’Oro trophy, along with a parchment certificate bearing the title “Winner of the Manichino d’Oro,” to be displayed in their professional atelier as a mark of distinction and excellence. This recognition is not merely a personal achievement but a formal certification of value, competence, and professional authority within the haute couture tailoring landscape.
All other finalists will receive a certificate of participation with ex aequo mention. In addition, two special awards will be presented: the Ditale d’Oro (Golden Thimble) and the Gesso d’Oro (Golden Tailor’s Chalk). These distinctions highlight the competition’s attention to technical rigor, precision in execution, and artisanal quality—cornerstones of bespoke tailoring.
An Independent Event for the Manichino d’Oro
In light of the extraordinary participation from all Italian regions, this year the competition has been given even greater prominence through a dedicated standalone event, underscoring its growth and expressive strength. On June 6, 2026, in Rome, the official award ceremony will take place within a dedicated event featuring a public fashion show, where garments created by all finalists will be presented on the runway, offering the audience a narrative of style, research, craftsmanship, and vision.
The journey of the garments will not conclude with the closing ceremony. The selected creations will also be showcased at industry trade fairs and displayed by the sponsor during events in which it participates, extending their visibility over time.
Carnet – Division of Ratti SpA SB
Carnet, a division of Ratti SpA SB and part of the Marzotto Group, represents excellence in the Italian and international textile sector. Since 1860, it has embodied the perfect combination of tradition and innovation, offering high-end fabrics for contemporary tailoring. It is a key partner for tailors, young designers, ateliers, and Made-to-Measure brands, providing an exclusive cut-length service with 24-hour delivery across a range of over 4,000 carefully selected fabrics.
This is a concrete and highly efficient support system designed to meet the needs of modern tailoring with speed, precision, and absolute quality. Carnet is not merely a fabric producer but a curator of excellence, guided by values of quality, innovation, and simplicity, expressed through fine materials, contemporary products, and collections designed to facilitate the work and communication of modern tailoring.
Carnet strongly supports the Accademia Nazionale dei Sartori, sharing its mission to educate, promote, and enhance new generations of tailors. The company firmly believes in young talent, the importance of craftsmanship, and Made in Italy, fostering a fashion culture rooted in time, quality, and artisanal knowledge.
For Carnet, partnering with the Accademia means not only sharing a passion for tailoring but also guiding young professionals in discovering, developing, and enhancing their skills, contributing to the preservation and renewal of the Italian tailoring tradition. A concrete and ongoing commitment fully aligned with the mission of the Manichino d’Oro, a symbol of excellence and growth for the future of the sector.
Accademia Nazionale dei Sartori APS-ETS
Communications Office – 0642872259 – comunicazione@accademianazionaledeisartori.it
