PRATO — An exhibition dedicated to colour and innovation in knitwear opened at the Museo del Tessuto, a textile museum in Prato, Tuscany, on July 3, 2026. The show brings together garments made by students from some of the world’s top fashion schools, running until September 27, 2026.

“With this exhibition the Museo del Tessuto continues its mission to support emerging talent in fashion,” said Fabia Romagnoli, president of the museum’s foundation. “We are happy to welcome tomorrow’s talents from the best schools in the world to Prato.”

The garments were selected through Feel the Contest 2026, now in its seventeenth year and organised by CPF, an Italian consortium that brings together the country’s leading yarn manufacturers for knitwear and weaving. The contest, known by its brand name Feel the Yarn, pairs young designers with Italian yarn producers using wool, cotton, cashmere and other natural and synthetic fibres.

A showcase for student talent

Thirty three outfits are on display, created by Master’s students specialising in knitwear at schools including the London College of Fashion, Politecnico di Milano, the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Istituto Marangoni in Florence and Bunka Fashion College in Japan. Each outfit was developed alongside a yarn company from the consortium, which supplied materials for the finished designs.

Four winners named

Four projects were recognised this year. Katagiri Trashipuntso of the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology won the top prize, working with Lanificio dell’Olivo. Margherita Carmignani of Politecnico di Milano won the creativity award, paired with Filivivi. Monica Beduzzi of Istituto Marangoni Florence won for technique, working with Filatura di Pollone, while Rosalie Reya, also of Istituto Marangoni Florence, won the social media prize alongside Accademia by Industria Italiana Filati.