Raffaele Ascione's first memory of wanting to become a fashion designer was when aged 9 he watchd a tape recording of Gianni Versace´s show in Milan. He was in absolute love and adoration.
Born in Germany to Italian parents, Ascione was exposed to Italian fashion at a very young age and is now is a thriving young fashion designer.
Taking his first steps in fashion education at LSC in Limerick, Ireland he received astonishing results and furthermore was selected for major Irish fashion competitions such as the Jim Kemmy Awards '04 and the Persil Fashion Award '05.
Leaving Ireland for the UK, he continued on to complete his BA in UCA Rochester achieving first class grades in all three years. During his time there he was also selected as a finalist for fashion competitions such as Nokia Young Designer of the Year '06 and the River Island Fashion Competition '08, as well as completing internships with Boyd, John Rocha, Julia Clancey and Gareth Pugh for whom he worked for three seasons.
«I always felt it was really important for me to gain as much experience as possible from a diverse selection of designers to learn and gain new skills at all time.»
For Ascione's final year at Rochester he created a collection based on his mothers and grandmothers lives.
«I have always been very drawn to women and their personalities, adorations and characteristics. As my mum and nan were always the most influential women in my life, it came quite natural to design around their lives.»«My time there was great and very interesting. I had some very tough moments being constricted with the commercial demands. But I adapted very quickly to the design team, expectations and company life. I learned and grew a lot as a designer. Things such as widening my knowledge about fabrics, production, international buyers and team work.»
Never giving up on his own dreams or future plans Ascione created his own Spring/Summer 2010 collection in the evenings and nights. All the while his main focus, besides the Max Mara job, was to complete the MA in womenswear at Central Saint Martins college of Art and Design.
«It had always been my dream to study there and complete my Masters, as the course is the best in it's field and is world renowned. One week after my interview I received notice that mz application was successful. I was so releaved and happy as all my hard work had paid off and made another one of my dreams come through.»
About to begin the his MA this month Ascione has had to confront a lot of financial difficulties regarding loans, support systems and scholarships since then.
«I received one negative answer after the other, and I was at a very critical stage to not accept the course offer, but I received a freelance contract with Max Mara which will enable me to pay my fees and will have to organise myself with part time job to pay my living costs in London. I realised that I could not give up on my dream and wish to continue to become the best designer I can be. In the meanwhile I am aware that the two year course will be a hard journey with financial struggles. I am concerned about the cost of fabrics, materials, photo shoots and presentations. The fashion world is a very expensive world, but I just wont give up on my plans and goals. I have made it this far, and know that I was never readier to do something like this MA. Therefore it would be an absolute shame to only do something half ways if you know that you have the ability to do it bigger and better!!!»
At this point he is asking for donations "to support and fund my MA journey at CSM and fashion show at London Fashion week!" For more information see: Support