(Naples — November 4, 2025) — The “Bottega Artigiana – Tailoring and Costume Design” training program, funded by the European Union, is continuing at the Salesian center in Naples. The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Cinecittà film studios in Rome and the San Gennaro Community Foundation, and is implemented by Salesian CNOS-FAP Naples. This project continues to combine theoretical instruction with practical workshop experience, preparing craftspeople who can work competently in tailoring, costume design, and the world of entertainment.

Following the phase dedicated to men’s tailoring, the program has expanded with a significant new chapter. The participating students are currently based at La Santissima – Community HUB, where they are engaged in modules on patternmaking, design, cutting, and women’s garment construction. This creative and collaborative environment fosters exchange, experimentation, and growth, guiding students as they deepen their understanding of the fundamental techniques involved in constructing women’s garments—from initial design to final creation.

The program continues to offer an immersive and comprehensive experience, providing not only technical skills but also a true culture of craftsmanship characterized by attention to detail, knowledge of materials, and an ongoing dialogue between sartorial tradition and contemporary theatrical expression.

The Project Presentation

The “Bottega Artigiana – Sartoria e Taglio Costume” project was presented on November 4, 2025, at the Salesian house in Naples, in the presence of representatives from the city and participating institutions.

“That morning highlighted the value and scope of a project funded by the Ministry of Culture through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. It was designed to involve twenty young artisans from the performing arts sector in a free, advanced training program capable of combining the great Neapolitan tailoring tradition with the contemporary needs of cinema, theater, and the audiovisual sector. This initiative is fully aligned with the Salesian charism, which has always recognized manual work as a privileged means of educating both the mind and the heart, as Don Bosco taught when he said that ‘young people have intelligence in their hands,’” said Fr. Fabio Bellino, Rector of the Don Bosco Institute in Naples.

Program Structure

The course, part of the “LuceLabCinecittà” program, includes a total of 300 hours of training, 90 of which are dedicated to historical, cultural, and theoretical study. The remaining hours focus on practical workshops in cutting, sewing, and garment construction. These experiences have enabled students to gradually master the craft, learning not only tailoring techniques but also the complex workings of a film set—including its departments, roles, dynamics, and the intricate network of skills required to bring a character to life through costume.

In January 2026, the course entered a more advanced phase with the start of training sessions at the Isaia Foundation, focused on men’s tailoring. This phase allowed students to engage with the structured process of creating men’s garments, including measurement, pattern interpretation, pattern modification, fabric analysis, and the full progression from cutting to assembly and finishing. It provided an immersive experience that emphasized precision, patience, attention to detail, and an appreciation for the value of time in craftsmanship.

In February 2026, the program continued to evolve with a new phase at La Santissima – Community HUB. Students are now engaged in patternmaking, design, cutting, and women’s tailoring within a creative and collaborative setting that encourages exchange and experimentation. This phase enables them to approach women’s garments in all their complexity and expressive richness—from initial design to final creation—while maintaining a dialogue between traditional tailoring and contemporary performance aesthetics.

A key figure throughout this journey has been trainer Andrea Iacomino, who has guided the students with expertise and dedication. He has emphasized that the primary goal of the course is to transform film students into well-prepared professionals within the film industry. The program builds a bridge between training and employment, offering students something often missing when first entering a film set: an understanding of professional dynamics, roles, and responsibilities, along with the opportunity to learn without the pressure of tight production deadlines and to enter the industry with confidence and awareness.

“Andrea also reminded us how urgent it is, now more than ever, to preserve and pass on artisanal knowledge in an era marked by mass and unsustainable production,” Fr. Bellino added. “Teaching sewing means preserving a historical memory of craftsmanship and restoring dignity and visibility to trades at risk of disappearing, especially in a city like Naples, which is recognized worldwide for its tailoring tradition.”

The Deeper Meaning of the Project

“Looking at this journey as a whole,” Fr. Bellino concludes, “the ‘Bottega Artigiana – Tailoring and Costume Design’ project is not merely a training program, but a true educational experience. It restores dignity to craftsmanship, strengthens connections between institutions and the local community, and offers young people a concrete space to cultivate their talents, skills, and aspirations. It affirms that educating in beauty, in excellence, and in collaborative work remains—now as ever—one of the most authentic ways to build the future.”

Source: Don Bosco Naples