An inspiring evening that brought together talent, creativity, and real-world vision, Raffles Milano opened its doors to show what happens when design education meets professional opportunity.
09–NOV–2025 | As a trusted academic partner of Raffles Milano, we were honored to take part in their prestigious Career Beginnings & Portfolio Night, held on October 9 at the Raffles Milano – International Design Institute. The evening brought together more than 450 guests and over 70 leading companies eager to meet Raffles students and discover the next generation of creative professionals.
A bit of time has passed since Portfolio Night, and we are excited to share what we saw, along with a few highlights from our conversations with the young designers.
As one of Raffles Milano’s recognized international partners, we greatly value this collaboration, which allows us to bring opportunities to students from emerging markets. Portfolio Night itself also provided the perfect opportunity to discuss special enrollment terms for our students pursuing design, fashion, and business in one of Europe’s most dynamic academic environments.
Finding a related job after graduation has become a top priority for today’s young professionals, and in this regard, Raffles Milano is ahead of the competition. The university’s programs are deeply connected to industry, with classes often led by executives and guest speakers from global companies. This approach was evident at this year’s event, with a remarkable lineup of speakers: Gabriele Chiave, one of the leading figures in fashion design; Roberto D’Incau, a renowned headhunter and executive coach; and Simona Maggini, Country Manager of WPP Italy and Group CEO of VML Italy, who spoke on branding and career growth.
“One of the main strengths of Raffles Milano was perfectly in tune with what all three speakers emphasized — uniqueness,” said Dejan Trpkovic, CEO of PRODIREKT and founder of Verbalists Education. “Having led several global corporations, and now heading an academic advising group, I found that shared message — be unique — to be the best advice for any young person, whether in fashion, design, or any other field.”
This focus on connecting creativity with business realities is what sets Raffles apart. After becoming an undisputed leader in Asia, the university is now expanding its influence across Europe, with Milan at the heart of its international strategy.
Our partnership with Raffles extends beyond academic advising and talent recruitment. Last summer, in cooperation with Sportech Academy, our students had the unique privilege of meeting Fashion Royalty — Miuccia Prada — face-to-face. Experiences like this define what makes the collaboration between Raffles and PRODIREKT so valuable: together we bridge global education, professional connections, and real-world inspiration.
Students eager to experience Raffles Milano firsthand can join our exclusive summer programs — academic MILAN Fashion and academic MILAN Design (ages 15–18). These programs provide a chance to study at one of Europe’s most innovative universities and earn up to 4 fully recognized University Credits (ECTS) — a meaningful step toward a creative career and future university studies.
Our video from the evening captures genuine moments of exchange — conversations with guest speakers and brief interviews with students presenting their portfolios. Their openness and creative maturity speak volumes about the kind of education and mentorship Raffles provides.
Real Talent, Real Stories – Raffles Milano Career & Portfolio Night
Raffles Milano is not only a leading university for fashion and design but also one that genuinely values its partners. During our visit to the Talk Career Beginnings and Students’ Portfolio Night, we saw firsthand the care they put into creating meaningful experiences for both students and collaborators. Much of that warm and professional atmosphere was thanks to Elena Sacco, who leads Raffles Milano with remarkable energy and vision, and to Jacopo Manganiello, whose thoughtful coordination made our participation seamless and enjoyable.
Now is the time to explore your talent, build your portfolio, and connect with the world of fashion and design — contact us today and step into your success!
Your language and study abroad journey starts here. Subscribe for free!
From education news to opinions and interviews to interesting and fun stories to best language and study programs – we are here to help you succeed in your career, to satisfy your curiosity, and to put lots of smiles on your face.
The Verbalists Education & Language Network was founded in 2009 by PRODIREKT Education Group, a leading academic consultancy and partner of prestigious schools and colleges in world renowned university centers. In fact, it was the cooperation with these reputable schools which led to launching Verbalists as a language network.
With 100,000+ social network members and 20,000+ students supported, Verbalists Education is one of the world’s most reputable language networks.
Discover more from Verbalists Education & Language Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.