New Academy of Fine Arts collaborates with Shima Seiki Italia

New Academy of Fine Arts (NABA) has collaborated with knitwear manufacturer Shima Seiki Italia to create the first Made in NABA jersey, an eco-cashmere sweater.

The jersey was designed by a third-year BA Fashion Design student Marta Reparaz Lipperheide and it will be presented at the next edition of Pitti Filati from 2-4 February 2022, an international event celebrating excellence in the yarn and knitting industry.

The concept for the jersey was inspired by football players in American colleges who bear the name of their team on their clothing, famously characterised by the vibrant colours and genderless fit. It was created with the support of Filati Naturali, a hub for yarns, and with the use of the Shima Seiki SSR 112 machine in NABA’s knitwear laboratory.

The sweater is a result of a competition open to various third-year and second-year students to produce a product that could represent wearers in the NABA academy community. A limited number will be created and donated to a selection of Alumni.

Colomba Leddi, NABA fashion design area leader, said in a statement: "Together with our students we are enthusiastic about this project which once again aims to promote the young talents of NABA, enhancing their ability to develop original creations and enhancing the potential of the most innovative with the technology of Shima Seiki Italia which is at our side in this precious collaboration."

Photo credit: NABA