On the occasion of Milan Fashion Week, Sarah Andelman, founder of Just An Idea and an internationally recognized figure for her distinctive curatorial vision, presented a new Starbucks collaboration with four Milanese designers.
The Apron Project is part of The House of Coffee, the cultural platform through which Starbucks launched a new dialogue between creativity, lifestyle, and community in Milan. The initiative centers on special-edition versions of Starbucks’ iconic apron, reinterpreted and customized by a selection of Milan-based creatives who embody diverse languages and sensibilities of the contemporary scene.
The talents involved include Francesca Ragazzi, head of editorial content at Vogue Italia; Carolina Castiglioni, founder and creative director of the luxury brand Plan C; designer Sara Battaglia; and Galib Gassanoff, founder of the brand Institution. «My apron is born from a family memory and from the love of the table that my mother passed on to me through stories about my grandmother, Alda, who was able to transform embroidered and hand-painted tablecloths, created by her own hands, into true gestures of hospitality and sharing. It is a tribute to her “tablecloth of friendship” and to a tradition rooted in care, time, and beauty," explained Francesca Ragazzi-
Each apron becomes a symbolic object, an expression of personal creativity with a strong value-driven dimension: all proceeds from sales will be donated to charitable organizations chosen directly by the participating designers, in alignment with their principles and social commitment. “I’m pleased to join the Apron project, as it gives me the opportunity to donate to a very valuable charity, the Hothur Foundation. The organization helps support the treatment and rehabilitation of acid attack survivors in India, a cause that has been very close to my heart since I discovered this reality through its founder, Kulsum Shadab Wahab,” said Galib Gassanoff.
“Work uniforms fascinate me because they are objects created for a specific purpose: their aesthetic is not decorative, but intrinsically linked to functionality," commented Carolina Castiglioni. "At Plan C, I have always drawn inspiration from these volumes to create garments that are both functional and special. I like the idea of elevating a work garment, such as an apron, showing that a uniform can have a strong identity while also being beautiful to wear.”
Finally, Sara Battaglia redesigned the iconic Starbucks apron through the lens of her brand's codes. "The Red Collar as a signature identity, and Plissé Discipline as a construction method. A practical piece that flatters and elevates, bringing a precise meaning, where aesthetics and function meet."
