Faculty, key figures and guest lecturers

Discover the leaders, mentors and experts who drive AZ Academy success.

AZ Academy’s faculty is composed of seasoned industry professionals, business strategists, and creative visionaries.

Program Leadership

These leaders define the strategic direction of AZ Academy and oversee its academic and business vision.

Mauro Grimaldi

Strategic Advisor, Richemont

Mauro Grimaldi, former C-Level Executive at major luxury groups, is today an Executive Advisor at Richemont Group with extensive knowledge of high-end brand development. He advises on business strategy, investment models, and industry partnerships, and works directly with designers to refine their go-to-market approach.

Barbara Trebitsch

Director, AZ Academy

Barbara Trebitsch has over 20 years of experience in Fashion Design and Management education. She has previously led Fashion Schools at top institutions, including serving as the Director of Education at ACM. She currently oversees the program’s curriculum, mentorship structure, and industry partnerships.

Faculty

Silvia Barabino

Marketing & communication advisor

Veronica Yashu Ambrosetti

Fashion Sustainability Consultant

Pablo Arroyo

Art director and Photographer

Rosa Bellei

Investment banker, therapist

Solena Bertin

Digital Specialists

Benoît Béthume

Art Director, Fashion Editor, Stylist

Antonio Catalani

Professor Strategy and Management, Bocconi, IULM, Creative Academy, Author

Marco Ceroni

HR Director Gianvito Rossi

Marianella Cervi

ESG Sustainability consultant, Head of Programmes The Fashion Pact

Nunzio Del Prete

Image Director, Visual Merchandiser Manager

Laȅtitia De Mathan

Directrice Brand controlling & Projets transversaux at Chloé

Paolo Ferrarini

Professor, Journalist, Author

Manuela Giuffré

Fashion Merchandising Consultant

Laura Giulini

Sales manager luxury brands

Beatrice Grifoni

Legal and Business Affairs Executive, EG Brands & Talents

Marzia Narduzzi

Fashion consultant for start ups productions

Angelina Nieddu

Digital Specialists

Kristen Nuttal

Advisor at Appso-Supro, Business Development Consultant The Sustainable

Laura Santanera

Fashion Merchandising consultant

Enrico Maria Torboli

Head of Master Fashion Communication & Art Direction & Fashion Management BA Accademia Costume & Moda

Industry Experts &
Business Advisors

AZ Academy’s mentorship network includes leaders from the most prestigious fashion brands, offering unmatched business insights, creative direction, and strategic coaching.

Luxury Brand Executives & Producers

Senior executives from Richemont Maisons at Creative Academy.

Industry veterans with experience in financial structuring and production.

Strategic consultants specializing in brand expansion, scaling, and go-to-market planning.

Mentors

Experts in brand storytelling, design differentiation, and market positioning.

Hands-on coaching in collection development, production strategies, and innovation.

Retail & Distribution Experts

Showroom and buyer consultants to guide designers in securing retail partnerships.

Experts in luxury e-commerce, DTC strategies, and digital market expansion.

Key decision-makers in high-end wholesale and department store distribution.

Exclusive Guest Lecturers

AZ Academy provides exclusive opportunities for engagement with industry leaders through a series of curated talks and conversations. These sessions are designed to offer insights into key business and creative aspects of the fashion industry, directly from professionals who operate at the highest levels.

Claudio Antonioli

CEO Antonioli Group

Nicholas Atteshlis

Head of Brand Partnerships, Zalando

Jair Benavidez

Head of Analytics & Insights, Zalando

Alessandro Caron

Sole director and buyer Caron Boutique - Penelope Store

Serge Carreira

Director of Emerging Brands Initiative chez Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode

Paolo Chiesa

Global Collection and Retail Merchandising Director at Balmain Paris

Paolo De Vivo

Communication Strategist

James Ferragamo

Chief Product Officer at Ferragamo

Deanna Ferretti Veroni

Founder Miss Deanna and Modateca Deanna

Lutz Huelle

Creative Director and Founder Lutz Huelle

Satoshi Kumara

Founder and Creative Director at SETCHU

Micaela le Divelec Lemmi

Luxury Independent Advisor, former C-Suite executive for luxury brands and Non executive Board Director for listed companies

Laura Lusuardi

Fashion Coordinator, Max Mara

Magalie Guérin

Deputy Director of the villa Noailles

Attila Kiss

CEO Gruppo Florence

Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant: Creative Director and Founder Isabel Marant

Italo Marconi

Innovation Advisor and Educator

Simone Mattioli

CEO Umbria Verde

Tuomas Merikoski

Creative Director

Pascale Mussard

Vice-President of the Fondation d’Entreprise Hermès, President of the Villa Noailles association

Helen Nonini

also known as H., CEO e Founder Schwa

Loreto Di Rienzo

Technology Ambassador

Etienne Russo

Étienne Russo

Sara Sozzani Maino

Creative Director of the Fondazione Sozzani

Luca Sburlati

CEO Pattern Group

JoAnn Tan

JoAnn Tan Studio

Aitor Throup

Designer, Artist

Sonia Veroni

CEO Modateca Deanna

Donatella Zappieri

Jewelry Business Consultant

Key Themes & Topics Covered

The Fashion Business - Understanding brand positioning, financial sustainability, and market entry strategies.
Product Development & Supply Chain - The realities of sourcing, production, and industrial scalability in fashion.
Luxury and Fashion Brand Leadership - The intersection of creativity, business acumen, and global strategy.
Entrepreneurship & Brand Growth - Building a successful, independent fashion business in a highly competitive market.
Innovation & Sustainability - Exploring the future of responsible fashion and business ethics.

Speakers and contributors are drawn from Richemont (In Creative Academy), industry experts, business strategists, and creative professionals, providing real-world perspectives tailored to independent designers.

Networking & Industry Exposure

AZ Academy offers structured opportunities for industry exposure, allowing designers to expand their network, gain industry insights, and engage with professionals who can influence their business trajectory.

What to Expect: