Within the framework of the Horizon Europe project HEPHAESTUS, the Materie di Studio initiative introduces a different way of learning to students at the Venice School of Management: one that moves beyond theory and into direct engagement with materials, tools, and making processes.
The programme is structured into three workshop cycles, each composed of three sessions and led by a different craft practitioner. Together, they explore textile, ceramics, and glass as distinct domains of production and knowledge.
The textile cycle: three sessions, one continuous experience
The first workshop cycle, focused on textile practices, took place on 13, 20, and 27 March 2026 and was led by Lara Perbellini.
Rather than three separate workshops, these sessions formed a single, continuous learning cycle. The same group of 11 students participated throughout, allowing them to progressively build familiarity with materials, tools, and techniques over time.
Who participated and how
The workshops were open to BA and MA students of the Venice School of Management, who could apply through an open call and indicate their preferred cycles. Due to limited capacity, participation was selective.
For the textile cycle, 11 students were admitted, and all attended the full sequence of sessions—ensuring continuity and depth in the learning process.
Learning objectives: beyond theory
The core goal of the workshop was not to train students as professional makers, but to expose them to the reality of production processes.
Through hands-on engagement, students explored:
- how materials behave and respond
- the role of tools and manual skills
- the importance of sequencing, constraints, and adjustments
- how knowledge emerges through doing, not only through studying
Working with textile: process and outcomes
Under Lara Perbellini’s guidance, students worked directly with fabric, tools, and basic textile techniques. The sessions emphasized experimentation, observation, and iterative learning.
The outcomes were both:
- Practical: small textile artifacts produced during the sessions
- Reflective: a deeper awareness of the embodied, material dimension of production
Take a glimpse into the textile workshops with Lara Perbellini
Looking ahead: the next workshop cycles
Following the textile cycle, two additional cycles are being implemented:
- Ceramics cycle, led by Elena Rausse (7, 17, and 24 April 2026)
- Glass cycle, led by Andrea Penzo and Cristina Fiore (8, 15, and 22 May 2026)
Each cycle continues to explore the relationship between making, knowledge, and management, offering students new perspectives through different materials and craft practices.
Towards a broader reflection
While each cycle offers a distinct experience, the Materie di Studio initiative is designed as a coherent educational path. A more comprehensive reflection will follow at the end of all three cycles, bringing together insights across textile, ceramics, and glass.
About Lara Perbellini
The workshop was led by Lara Perbellini who is a bespoke tailor resident in Venice . After graduating with honors in Fashion Design from the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Milan, Lara Perbellini developed a strong interest in stylistic research and the history of costume. Moving away from mass prêt-à-porter, she embraced a more personal approach focused on timeless, custom-made garments crafted from natural materials.
Her path led her to Paris, where she deepened her knowledge of historical tailoring and explored clothing as a medium of expression. Back in Italy, she trained with master tailors, including Giuseppe Da Campo, and worked in renowned Roman ateliers such as Caraceni.
She later settled in Venice, where—after working alongside Franco Puppato—she opened her own atelier, continuing her practice as a bespoke tailor grounded in tradition and craftsmanship.