Istituto Secoli was founded in 1934 in Treviso by Carlo Secoli, with the goal of spreading Italian tailoring culture through a professional method capable of guiding the design and creation of garments. From the very beginning, the institute positioned itself as a benchmark for those seeking to learn the art of patternmaking and turn it into a concrete skill.

In 1945, the school moved to Milan, actively contributing to the cultural and creative energy that would soon establish the city as a global fashion capital. Thanks to its ability to anticipate market demands and adapt to the industry’s evolution, Istituto Secoli quickly became one of the most respected fashion education centers. As early as the 1940s and 1950s, the institute launched its first Patternmaking courses a discipline that has since evolved through countless methodological innovations, intertwining the institute’s history with the growth of industrial patternmaking itself.

Over the decades, the institute has continued to grow and renew itself. In 2008, it became a founding member of the Piattaforma Sistema Formativo Moda, an association that brings together Italy’s leading fashion schools, academies, and universities. In 2010, it launched its first Master’s programs in Patternmaking, advanced courses designed to provide specialized training to graduates in Fashion Design.

In 2022, reaffirming its international outlook and strong ties to luxury brands, Istituto Secoli opened a new campus in Novara, developed in collaboration with prestigious fashion houses such as Alexander McQueen, Canali, Gucci, Herno, Loro Piana, Versace, Zamasport, and ZEGNA. This new site focuses specifically on training prototypists. That same year, Matteo Secoli was appointed President of the Piattaforma Sistema Formativo Moda ETS.

Alongside its educational and institutional growth, Istituto Secoli has strategically embraced advanced digital solutions, redefining fashion production processes to make them faster, more efficient, and more sustainable. The adoption of Crea Solution technologies particularly 2D and 3D CAD systems for apparel has enabled the institute to optimize time and resources across the entire production chain, from design to prototype, and on to final manufacturing.

These technologies now make it possible to manage collections in a dynamic and flexible way, reducing errors, improving control over every phase of the cycle, and speeding up time-to-market. The use of CAD also allows virtual testing of patterns, real-time modifications, and significant fabric waste reduction resulting in a lower environmental impact without compromising quality or creativity.

In particular, the use of 3D CAD enables the creation of highly realistic digital models, accurately simulating both garment structure and fit. These simulations are based on precise 3D templates, allowing a preview of the final look of the piece and accelerating both creative and strategic decision-making processes.

Crea Solution’s software also includes advanced export engines that convert files into key industry-standard formats such as DXF and HPGL. This functionality is critical to ensuring seamless interoperability among suppliers, clients, and internal departments. It also supports production automation for example, by linking digital patterns directly to automatic cutting machines and reduces technical errors through fast, accurate file conversion.

Through the integration of these digital tools, Istituto Secoli continues to demonstrate its ability to combine tailoring tradition with technological innovation, offering students and partner companies a training model aligned with the demands of both the present and the future. A school that remains at the forefront of fashion education, with a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and excellence.