Raffles Milano hosted an evening dedicated to future designers and industry leaders, bringing together students, companies, and educators under one roof. Career Beginnings & Portfolio Night, held on October 9 at the university’s Milan campus, offered a close look at how academic study can align with real professional pathways.
17–NOV–2025 | As a long-standing academic partner of Raffles Milano, PRODIREKT was pleased to be part of this important gathering. The event welcomed more than 450 attendees and over 70 companies, all interested in meeting students who are preparing to enter the creative industries.
Some time has passed since the evening, giving us a chance to reflect on what we witnessed, including several memorable conversations with students who shared their portfolios with confidence and clarity.
For PRODIREKT, cooperation with Raffles Milano has always been about widening access for students from emerging markets. Career Beginnings & Portfolio Night also gave us space to speak about special enrollment conditions for our candidates who wish to pursue design, fashion, or business studies in Milan — a city that remains one of Europe’s strongest creative and academic hubs.
Today’s graduates place career opportunities at the top of their priorities. Raffles Milano responds to this reality by building programs around direct industry engagement. Courses are frequently taught by active professionals and well-known executives, which was reflected in the distinguished speakers at the event:
• Gabriele Chiave, an influential name in fashion design
• Roberto D’Incau, an established headhunter and executive coach
• Simona Maggini, Country Manager of WPP Italy and Group CEO of VML Italy
Their shared message centered on the value of authenticity in building a career.
“One of Raffles Milano’s greatest strengths aligned perfectly with what each speaker addressed — the power of being unique,” said Dejan Trpkovic, CEO of PRODIREKT and founder of Verbalists Education. “After years in global corporations and now in academic advising, I see this as essential guidance for any young professional, regardless of field.”
Raffles Milano’s commitment to pairing creativity with real-world expectations has positioned the university as a rising force in Europe, following its long-established reputation across Asia.
The collaboration between PRODIREKT and Raffles goes beyond admissions. In the summer, through our cooperation with Sportech Academy, our students were given a rare opportunity to meet Miuccia Prada in person — an encounter that perfectly illustrates how education can extend far beyond the classroom.
Students who want to experience the university firsthand can join our academic summer offerings — academic MILAN Fashion and academic MILAN Design (ages 15–18). These short programs introduce young learners to Raffles Milano’s teaching style and allow them to earn 4 ECTS credits, helping them begin their academic journey early.
Our video from the evening offers a closer look: brief student interviews, insights from speakers, and the atmosphere that shaped the event. The professionalism and openness we saw reflect the quality of mentorship students receive at Raffles.
Raffles Milano is more than a leading design and fashion university. It is an institution that treats its partners with genuine appreciation. The warm and well-organized environment we experienced would not have been possible without Elena Sacco, who leads Raffles Milano with clear direction and enthusiasm, and Jacopo Manganiello, whose careful coordination made our participation smooth from start to finish.
If you are ready to develop your talent, strengthen your portfolio, and enter the design and fashion world with confidence, reach out to us — your next step starts here.
Real Talent, Real Stories – Raffles Milano Career & Portfolio Night
PRODIREKT owns the Verbalists Education & Language Network and is a leading academic advising and student recruiting group. We offer unbiased and expert counselling to students wishing to study in Spain, Canada, USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Italy, Malta, France, Hungary, and many other popular study abroad destinations. Given our long-standing reputation and strong ethical approach to business, PRODIREKT has built a powerful brand image and positioned itself as one of the most credible education and study abroad consultancy firms in the industry.
Discover more from PRODIREKT
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.