Textural Anthologies

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we welcome Luke Radloff, a South African designer who launched his brand, Uni-Form, in 2019. Drawing deep inspiration from Johannesburg, Luke translates the city's vibrant energy into ultra-contemporary silhouettes that define his modular, slow fashion collection of trans-seasonal classics. Uni-Form has recently been honoured with the inaugural Fondatio...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, I sit down with someone making a profound impact in the world of fashion—Victoria Jenkins, a disability designer, advocate, and founder of Unhidden Clothing. Besides being a former student of mine, Victoria is someone I am incredibly proud of. Victoria's journey began with her own experiences with gastrointestinal disabilities, which fueled her passion...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we welcome a trailblazer who’s making waves in the world of social media and teen entrepreneurship, Ava McDonald. Ava launched Zfluence, a rapidly growing agency connecting influential members of Generation Z with the brands they genuinely love, just two years ago. Her success has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 20 years old, she’s already been...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we sit down with Gianmarco Messori, a key figure in the evolution of Italian craftsmanship—the second generation of a family-run brand that began its journey in the mid-’70s. Our guest today has not only upheld the legacy of Messori but has also steered the brand in exciting new directions. We explore how the concept of ‘Made in Italy’ has transformed over...

In 2020, fashion and gaming collided like never before. With lockdowns and social distancing pushing people into the digital world, gaming became an unexpected outlet for creativity and self-expression. As Fashion Weeks transitioned to digital platforms, iconic brands quickly noticed the potential of the gaming world, leading to collaborations on skins for popular games like League of Legends and...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we travel to the Netherlands to reconnect with visionary designer, Jeffrey Heiligers, who I first met in London back in 2014. Even then, I was captivated by his innovative approach to design, and today, his work continues to push boundaries in truly inspiring ways. During Dutch Design Week Virtual in October, our guest presented a groundbreaking project tha...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we return to the vibrant heart of the rainbow nation, South Africa, to speak with Spero Villioti, a key figure in the evolution of South African fashion, and a true visionary, helping to shape the future of fashion in the region. Trained at the London College of Fashion and having served as a senior designer for Frank Usher, he went on to successfully run h...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, I’m honoured to connect with someone who has played a monumental role in shaping the fashion landscape of South Africa. Today’s guest is Lucilla Booyzen, the visionary founder of South African Fashion Week. For the past 23 years, Lucilla has been tirelessly mentoring, educating, and promoting incredible talents from across South Africa. As we approach the u...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we meet Pepe Muñoz—a multi-talented artist whose energy and passion are simply contagious. From his early days dancing in CATS to performing in an erotic Cirque du Soleil cabaret in Las Vegas with costumes by Thierry Mugler, Pepe has had a career as dynamic as it is fascinating. Pepe also served as Celine Dion's stylist and creative consultant, and he&#...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we dive into the dynamic world of moving images with Niccolo Montanari, a consultant, film festival strategist, and publicist who specializes in fashion, lifestyle, and contemporary culture. Niccolo’s journey in the fashion film industry began as one of the founding members of the Berlin Fashion Film Festival. Since 2016, he has been at the forefront of the...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we venture to East London to meet Dene Leigh, a fine artist who describes himself as an illusionist. Through his paintings, sculptures, and drawings, Dene delves into the complexities of neurological impairment, the fragility of human memory, and the poignant desire to acknowledge and record those he has—and hasn’t—met. Join me as I sit down with Dene to un...

How do you introduce someone who truly needs no introduction? When it comes to today’s guest, words like iconic, legendary, and visionary only begin to scratch the surface. In this episode of Textural Anthologies, I’m thrilled to be in Miami, sitting down with none other than Barbara Hulanicki, the founder of the iconic label Biba. I first met Barbara three years ago when I arrived in Miami, and s...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we travel back to the UK to meet an extraordinary guest who defines herself as a Polymath. Juliana Sissons is a creative force who blurs, pushes, and explores the boundaries of garment construction. She seamlessly crosses over from pattern cutting and traditional Savile Row tailoring to innovative knitting techniques. Her work even extends to collaborating...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we sit down with James Mooney, an Irishman from Dublin who has made NYC his home for the past 12 years. James calls himself the Contrary Man, someone who has carved his own path and gained deep insights along the way. I see him as an ethnographer, using his socially conscious photography to shed light on issues affecting youth culture and challenging the cy...

What do Maria Callas, Lady Emma Hamilton, Electric music, and drag all have in common? In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we explore these connections with a fascinating guest—Matteo Augello. Italian-born, London-based, Matteo is a performer, cultural studies lecturer, and collaborator with the Victoria & Albert Museum. His impressive career includes work with the Royal Opera House, the...

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we’re joined by a long-time friend and influential figure in the London fashion scene, Cozette McCreery. Kim Jones, Artistic Director at Dior Men's, once called her a "fashion bouncer," while Ponystep Magazine described her as "someone who is universally liked." Both descriptions are spot-on, but she proudly embraces the title of The...

Welcome to TEXTURAL ANTHOLOGIES Join me, Massimo Casagrande, as we explore the personal and professional lives of creative individuals across various industries through a series of engaging conversations. Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting, working with, and befriending some truly fascinating people in different cities and countries. These are the people who have left a mark...

For our first episode, we couldn’t think of a more fitting guest than the remarkable Sue Tilley, who describes herself with one powerful word: Dilettante. Sue is far more than just a title; she was the best friend of the iconic performance artist Leigh Bowery and has been immortalised in several of Lucian Freud's paintings—most notably, Benefits Supervisor Sleeping, which became the most expen...