From 5 to 8 December, the MAXXI Museum in Rome will host the Grand Festival AFAM, the final stop of the Grand Tour AFAM, marking the concluding moment of the international contest “Normal is Extraordinary”. An event that celebrates creativity and the ability of new generations to reinterpret everyday life by transforming it into an artistic vision, through languages ranging from art to design, from fashion to visual research.
During the event, the winning projects selected from the 48 finalist works will be announced. These works will remain on display at MAXXI until 8 December, offering the public an immersive glimpse into the future of Italian culture and artistic education. As part of the event, the finalists will also take part in an exclusive masterclass designed as a moment of exchange and growth.
The theme of the call invited students to push beyond their limits, design without fear and reveal the hidden beauty of normality, freely choosing techniques and forms of expression. The result is a series of intimate and powerful works, capable of transforming fragments of life into collective narratives.
Among the 48 finalists, seven projects by students of the Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and Fashion Product Management Master Of Arts stand out, interpreting the theme through personal and contemporary perspectives.
- Artieri | Giada Ferti
A tribute to the alabaster tradition of Volterra, blending handcrafted workwear and contemporary elements in a dialogue between material, memory and innovation. - Once upon a tablecloth | Vittoria Beconcini
A sustainable collection that transforms recycled fabrics into fairytale-inspired garments, combining creativity, childhood memories and environmental responsibility. - CTRL Z | Federica Petri
A project that weaves together nostalgia and digital culture, exploring the boundary between memory, imperfection and the possibility of identity transformation. - The outlines of my chaos | Virginia Sieni
A collection born from a family dialogue, enhancing fragility and creativity through artistic prints and soft volumes with an inclusive aesthetic. - Mismatched | Alessandra Di Cecco
A styling project that, starting from mismatched socks, reflects on personal identity and celebrates imperfection as an authentic form of freedom and uniqueness. - Ageless | Anita Falorni
A tribute to women’s style and beauty, challenging age-related prejudice by celebrating a free, eccentric and conscious elegance. - Still Me | Misbah Bonci
Inspired by Ethiopian tribes, the collection transforms scars into symbols of strength and identity, highlighting authenticity and self-awareness.
The event is part of the calendar of initiatives of the “Grand Tour AFAM”, a project funded by the PNRR to promote and internationalise the AFAM network, through the implementation of activities aimed at preserving and promoting Italian culture and Made in Italy.