The Hidden Sketch and the Revolution of a Dream:

The Story Behind RMI

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Dear readers,

How many times have we left a dream in a drawer out of fear? How many times has that internal voice, the one whispering "I'm not good enough," won over the chance to try?

The story I'm sharing today is not just the genesis of a fashion competition; it's a powerful reminder of what can happen when someone believes in us more than we believe in ourselves.

It all began in Riccione, in my paternal grandmother's tailor shop. A place where needles danced and fabrics came to life, it was my first playground. As a child, I made the "filzetta," the under-stitching to stiffen the collars of jackets—a small contribution that bound me forever to the craft.

The years passed. After taking a course in fashion design and illustration in the early eighties, I found myself with a friend, who owned a bridal gown atelier. He tried to convince me to enter a competition organized by Vogue Sposa. My answer? A resounding "NO!." "There's definitely someone much better than me!" I thought, crippled by the classic

And here comes the turning point, as is often the case, unexpectedly. One evening, my girlfriend (now my wife) simply said to me: "Why don't you do a couple of wedding dress sketches? I'll show them to a friend of mine." No pressure, just a small favor.

I took the Fabriano card stock, a pencil, and a black marker, and made a couple of quick sketches. She took them. And I completely forgot about them.

The Twist in Milan

A few months later, at the Sposa Italia fair in Milan, my friend saw me and my wife and started waving and applauding frantically. I looked around, confused, saying, "Who is he cheering for?"

Suddenly, Egon von Fürstenberg stepped out of a booth. He looked at me and asked, "Is he cheering for you?" I was completely bewildered. When I reached my friend, he had the latest issue of Vogue Sposa in his hand. He opened it and showed me a page, laughing. And there, I went white. On the page was my sketch, with the caption: "First Place."

It was an incredible shock, an indescribable emotion. I was speechless. I turned to look at my wife, who was laughing, while Egon, who had followed us, applauded. I was utterly stunned, unable to grasp what was happening.

The Seed of RMI

That episode in 1985 left an indelible mark, turning into a persistent question: "How many young people, like me, have dreams but lack confidence and don't even try to achieve them?"

From this realization, the idea was born: to create a competition that wouldn't just reward talent, but that would give a launchpad to all those who, driven by passion, had studied fashion—from a tailoring course to university.

In 1991, thanks to the support of the journalist Daniel Pratesi, the Ministry of Public Education, and the Municipality of Riccione, the project took shape. We found far-sighted partners like DuPont de Nemours, who supplied the Lycra, and made the first contact with CNA (then CNA ANTAB, later CNA Federmoda), thanks to the vision of Oreste Baioni, whom we can call the "father" of RMI (Ricerca Moda Italia / Italian Fashion Research).

The following year, in 1992, Antonio Franceschini, the current director, also joined our group of "visionaries and dreamers," solidifying a mission that has lasted for over 35 years.

Beyond Competition, There is Opportunity

Thousands of young talents have passed through the RMI program. Today, some are established professionals in the style offices of major brands, others have created their own lines or bespoke tailor shops.

Our story proves that you don't have to be the "best" to start; you just need the passion and the opportunity to put yourself out there. RMI was born from a shy sketch on Fabriano card stock and a wife who believed in a hidden talent.

The mission continues: to keep believing in the dreams and potential of those who are passionate about fashion.

And you, do you have a dream you are keeping locked away? Maybe it's time to take it out!

 P.S.: The True Designer Behind the Win

There is one final detail, perhaps the most heartwarming of all. When I finally saw the winning page in Vogue Sposa with the "First Place" title, the name printed beneath the sketch wasn't mine. It was the name of my girlfriend, my future wife. She submitted the design without telling me, using her name to protect me from the disappointment I had feared. She didn't just believe in my talent; she made the chance happen. She truly is the first, and most important, "visionary" behind the movement we now call RMI.