me,
myself
&
moi-même
After completing my Graphic Design degree from the AAA School of Advertising in Johannesburg, I pursued my studies in Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni Milano and then undertook a master’s degree in Fashion Design from the University of East London.
My first job after graduating was for Versace (Versus menswear, Versace Sport, and Versace Jeans) where I stayed for four years. I then launched my own menswear shirt brand, MCG Massimo Casagrande, in 2012, where I showcased my collections at the Paris ‘Who’s Next’ trade show and in London as part of the Fashion East Menswear: Installations.
2004 saw me move to London, to open the first international campus of Istituto Marangoni, where I was the Fashion Design Senior tutor and then appointed Programme Leader. During my time in London, I collaborated on projects with companies such as English National Ballet, Laura Biagiotti, WGSN, Erdem, Burberry exploring further my design and research skills as well as developing my management and branding knowledge.
In 2015 & 2016, I was an official partner of the London Design Festival, where, as a responsible designer I exhibited and curated site-specific collections in sync with contemporary cultural and social issues, such as gentrification, thereby helping to raise awareness through garments and prints.
In 2017 I moved to Miami to open the first US branch of Istituto Marangoni, where I am currently the Dean of Fashion. Over the course of my 17-year academic career, I’ve developed a skill set including curriculum development, course design, liaising with industry, and program development.
These skills allow me to collaborate with a number of international clients where I’m often invited as an industry expert holding seminars, workshops, and moderating panels with institutions such as Miami Design District, Fashinnovation, Luxury Law Summit, Project Runway, The YoungArts, advisor to emerging brands and the Latin American Fashion Summit.
Textural Anthologies, my podcast of informal conversations focusing on creatives across all industries was launched in 2020.
