Ferrari Fashion School is expanding its network of industry partners through a new collaboration with MD Model Academy, a Milan-based institution specialising in model training and professional development. The partnership aims to create new opportunities for hands-on learning, bringing together aspiring professional models and students of fashion styling, communication and photography.
Two Educational Institutions, One Shared Goal: Connecting Emerging Talent with the Fashion Industry
The partnership between Ferrari Fashion School and MD Model Academy, formalised in Milan in October 2026, is built on a shared vision: providing emerging talent with practical opportunities to develop professional skills, gain first-hand experience of the fashion industry and shape their careers through real-world projects.
Founded by Marina Dokic, a professional model, and Matteo Procaccioli della Valle, an Art Director, MD Model Academy is a Milan-based professional training hub dedicated to the education and development of aspiring models, new faces and established industry professionals.
Through specialised training programmes, professional preparation and practical experiences, the Academy helps its models navigate the fashion industry, with particular emphasis on the skills required to work confidently on set and develop a distinctive professional identity.
For Ferrari Fashion School, the collaboration represents another opportunity to strengthen the connection between fashion education and the creative industries, giving students direct access to industry professionals and authentic working environments.
From the Classroom to the Set: New Opportunities for Fashion Styling and Fashion Photography Students
The agreement establishes a framework for educational activities, workshops, masterclasses, fashion photography and audiovisual productions, special projects and internship opportunities, involving students, lecturers and professionals from both institutions.
At the heart of the partnership is the exchange of expertise across complementary creative disciplines.
Ferrari Fashion School students, particularly those enrolled in Fashion Styling & Communication and Fashion Photography programmes, will have opportunities to participate in photoshoots and productions organised in collaboration with MD Model Academy, gaining practical experience of the creative, technical and organisational demands of a professional fashion set.
In turn, MD Model Academy’s emerging models will have opportunities to participate in photographic and audiovisual projects developed by Ferrari Fashion School, contributing to fashion editorials, portfolio development and visual experimentation.
This collaborative approach reflects the importance of teamwork in the fashion industry, bringing together fashion stylists, photographers, art directors and models to develop creative projects.
The First Fashion Test Shoots with Gaea Louise and Maria Vaccari
The partnership has already taken shape through its first hands-on projects, involving Gaea Louise and Maria Vaccari, students of the BA (Hons) in Fashion Styling & Communication at Ferrari Fashion School.
The two students took part in two separate fashion test shoots with models from MD Model Academy, putting the knowledge and skills acquired during their undergraduate studies into practice.
In the fashion industry, test shoots play an essential role in building and updating professional portfolios. They provide opportunities for creative experimentation, bringing together styling, photography, art direction and modeling to produce images that highlight the identity and potential of the talent involved.
For Fashion Styling & Communication students, these experiences offer valuable opportunities to understand the dynamics of a professional photoshoot, refine their creative vision and develop practical skills in fashion image-making.
At the same time, the collaboration allows aspiring models to work alongside emerging creatives, exploring different visual languages, styling approaches and interpretations of fashion imagery.
Building a Creative Ecosystem Through Industry Collaborations
The partnership with MD Model Academy reflects Ferrari Fashion School’s commitment to integrating academic education with hands-on professional experience, supported by an extensive network of collaborations with fashion brands, companies, creative studios and professionals across the fashion and luxury industries.
The aim is to create a learning environment where students can go beyond theoretical knowledge and technical skills to experiment with creative processes, build professional relationships and gain a deeper understanding of the industry’s dynamics.
Within this context, the connection between fashion education and model training is particularly valuable. It brings together two closely related areas of fashion image production, creating opportunities for mutual learning, creative exchange and professional growth.
These first fashion test shoots mark the beginning of a partnership that will continue to evolve through new projects, educational experiences and collaborative creative productions.
