#INTERVIEW: Sabrina Mandelli, Founder and Creative Director of SSHEENA

Sabrina Mandelli, an alumna of Istituto Marangoni Milano, brings extensive experience from leading fashion houses like Dolce&Gabbana and Off-White. As the Creative Director of SSHEENA, Mandelli is renowned for her innovative approach to design and her commitment to redefining industry standards.
Under Mandelli's expert guidance, students at Istituto Marangoni Dubai embarked on a creative journey exploring the intersection of fashion history and current trends. Inspired by iconic figures such as Greta Garbo and Sid Vicious, students reimagined these influences into shoe designs and capsule collections. The mentorship challenged students to push boundaries, encouraging them to experiment with materials, textures and aesthetics to create their own fashion statements. Throughpersonalised feedback and mentorship sessions, Mandelli nurtured students' creativity and craftsmanship, preparing them for the dynamic world of fashion design.

Tanja Beljanski: Can you share a brief overview of your career journey in fashion and what inspired you to enter this industry?

Sabrina Mandelli: I have always loved the idea of design: having a rounded vision of something and knowing how to shape it into clothes. Creating a story over time and codifying a taste and an aesthetic recognisable by all, That’s why I started studying fashion design at Marangoni; but I immediately understood that to be able to shape an idea into a dress you need to master the technique and understand how a garment is constructed so I also started a sewing course.
I started at Dolce & Gabbana, just after Marangoni: I was in charge of dressing celebrities and there I learned how a large company should work, what is needed for everything to go as plan- ned and how a company is structured. Afterwards I started working for Ring, a denim brand produced in Milan which no longer exists today. The brand was small and it was really educational because I had to carry out multiple roles transversal to design, I interfaced with suppliers directly. From there the consultancy for Off-White which was not yet very well known; from there eight very intense years began; things exploded by our hands, and in the blink of an eye it became the coolest fashion house. There I learnt how to manage a constant increase in responsibilities and work. I also understood that fashion isn’t just about sartorialism but also storytelling and coolness.
All these totally different experiences converged into Ssheena that is of course my favourite thing. Here I can build my world and tell through garments what I want without compromises.

How do you stay current with trends and innovations in the fashion industry?
I believe that social media are a window on the world: they connect people all around in less than a second and just by scrolling you can see thousands of different approaches to life. There I mostly see and learn what’s in trend for the younger generations, and I find so many creative inputs. 

From an Istituto Marangoni alumna, to the Istituto Marangoni Fashion Design’s course mentor, how does it feel to be back with this new exciting role?
It’s exciting because when I design and project I always keep a careful eye on what the new generations do, what they wear, how they reinterpret what already exists to adapt it to new trends. Being back at Marangoni and having the opportunity to have a direct dialogue with those who will be the new generation of designers and seeing how they themselves interpret reality is stimulating.

What do you believe is the most important quality for a successful mentor-mentee relationship?
I think the most important quality is the ability to have an open dialogue. As a mentor I must have an open vision of what design is, I need to be able to understand other’s vision with neutrality to give advice and constructive criticism. Likewise students must have a critical look on their works and the desire to create the best version of what they want to do. If these two qualities coexist this mentorship can be a huge opportunity both for me and for the students to grow and extend our skills and competencies!

What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers or professionals looking to break into the industry?
My advice is to surround yourself with beauty! Every cool stuff can be an input for design, go to see exhibitions, films, arts in general. Go to see whatever happens next to you because you could never know what you will find there. Take pictures, screenshots, build a photographic archive of everything that surprised you, that you liked, that attracted you because at some point it may come in handy for you. Above all keep your feet on the ground, look at what’s happening in the world, study and stay informed.

Photo: Courtesy of Sabrina Mandelli