Within the upcoming edition of National Day of Made in Italy, planned for 15 April 2026, OTB, the international fashion and luxury group that owns the brands Diesel, Jil Sander, Maison Margiela, Marni, and Viktor&Rolf, and the companies Staff International and Brave Kid, recently inaugurated the fifth edition of its School of Craftsmanship (Scuola dei Mestieri). For the occasione, the school will host two yearly coruses for the first time since its foundation.
The School of Craftsmanship is the group’s in-house academy. It is a training program designed to pass on to younger generations the artisanal and manufacturing expertise that defines Made in Italy fashion. The project takes place at Staff International, OTB’s production and logistics platform, where this heritage takes shape every day and reaches the world’s leading catwalks and boutiques.
The inauguration of the new edition was attended by the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, along with other representatives from institutions and trade associations.
Renzo Rosso, chairman and founder of OTB Group, and Ubaldo Minelli, CEO of OTB Group and Staff International, greeted the event’s participants.
The School of Craftsmanship is a place where OTB aims to pass on to the youngest generations heritage and innovation and the skills that go beyond traditional craftsmanship. It is in this environment that talents are trained to interpret creativity, translate it, and bring it to life. In line with the group’s vision, particular attention throughout the program is devoted to innovation and sustainability, essential in the training of these roles.
For the first time, the project will run two editions per year, increasing the number of young people involved and further strengthening OTB’s commitment to developing increasingly strategic skills for the sector.
“Made in Italy is a heritage born from the union of creativity and expertise, a combination that has made us a unique global benchmark, with more than 80% of the world’s luxury production,” commented Renzo Rosso, chairman and founder, OTB Group.
“The strength of our system lies in the ability to transform an idea into an extraordinary product, thanks to the work of our artisans and the dedication of our wonderful supply chain. For this reason, it is essential to educate younger generations, enhancing professions that require talent and commitment and that are capable of building the future of our country,” added Rosso.
“The School of Craftsmanship is a project we believe in deeply, because without training there can be no future for Made in Italy,” added Ubaldo Minelli, CEO, OTB Group and Staff International.
“At Staff International, four generations of professionals work side by side, safeguarding a unique heritage of knowledge, experience, and passion, which they pass on to young talent every day. Over 85% of students have joined group companies. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the program and confirms the fundamental role of young people in ensuring continuity and sustainability in the Italian fashion and luxury sector,” continued Minelli.
“The OTB School of Craftsmanship best embodies our manufacturing tradition, an expression of Italian know-how: that of the Renaissance workshops, where masters passed on knowledge and talent to new generations. It is from this connection between experience and youth that the strength of our Made in Italy is born—from generation to generation—capable of combining quality, creativity, and expertise while continuing to grow in global markets,” said Adolfo Urso, Italy’s Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
“It is no coincidence that these are the themes at the heart of the 2026 edition of the National Made in Italy Day, which focuses on the future challenges of our enterprises,” continued Urso.
The academy’s new structure will host two classes, one starting in March and one in September. It offers a six-month program combining classroom-based learning and practical activities. Participants undertake a professional traineeship that enables them to work closely with the Maestri del Sapere (Masters of Know-How), fellow artisans, and industry professionals, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the product development and industrialization cycle.
The program includes practical workshops, sessions dedicated to materials and fabrics, in-depth modules on collection development, innovation, and sustainability, and mentoring sessions with company tutors and master artisans.
During the first three months, trainees focus on tailoring and garment construction. They are then directed, in the following months, towards specialist pathways—collection product development, pattern making, and tailoring—according to their talents and the skills they have developed. This experience enables them to acquire not only technical expertise but also the tools needed to interpret and concretely develop a creative idea within the luxury supply chain.
Since its launch, more than 50 young talents have been trained, with over 85% hired within the group’s companies.
The School of Craftsmanship is open to students holding diplomas from technical institutes, higher technical academies, and specialist courses, and graduates of fashion degree programs from across Italy. It is possible to take part in the selection process for the September edition by submitting a video CV: a 60-second recording summarizing the candidate’s experience and aspirations, as well as their reasons for wishing to participate in the initiative.