The Biblioteca Fiamma Lanzara at Accademia Costume & Moda is proud to welcome an extraordinary donation from one of the Academy’s most distinguished alumnae, Isabella Rossellini, who studied at the institution in 1970.

The donation includes 75 rare and out-of-print books, many personally signed by Rossellini, enriching the Library’s permanent collection dedicated to fashion, costume, design and visual culture. The books will become an important resource for students, researchers and academics, reinforcing the Biblioteca Fiamma Lanzara’s role as a centre for research, education and cultural preservation within one of Italy’s leading fashion schools.

Alongside the collection, Isabella Rossellini donated a personal letter addressed to Rosana Pistolese, founder of Accademia Costume & Moda. Reflecting on the influence of her education, she writes:

“I have never been a passive model, a mere objectified woman—and I owe this to Accademia Costume & Moda.”

For the Biblioteca Fiamma Lanzara, these words are as meaningful as the books themselves. They reflect the transformative power of education and the lasting impact that creative learning can have on personal growth, critical thinking and professional identity.

Since its foundation, Accademia Costume & Moda has combined creativity, craftsmanship and cultural research to educate new generations of professionals in fashion, costume, communication and design. The Biblioteca Fiamma Lanzara plays a central role in this mission by preserving books, archives and publications that support both academic research and creative practice.

The arrival of Isabella Rossellini’s collection further expands this heritage, offering students direct access to rare publications that are difficult to find elsewhere. More than a donation, it represents the passing on of knowledge, experience and values from one generation of creatives to the next.

The Biblioteca Fiamma Lanzara is honoured to preserve this unique collection and make it available to the Accademia Costume & Moda community, ensuring that its cultural and educational value continues to inspire future fashion professionals, researchers and creative thinkers.