Have you ever imagined a jellyfish…dress?
Diletta’s personal project began with a simple spark during class—an improvised doodle, a shape coming to life on paper, and then a powerful question:
“What if I could actually make it?”
A passionate scuba diver, Diletta has spent years observing marine life up close. She’s always been fascinated by the floating elegance of jellyfish—their delicate appearance, their silent strength. So, when it came time to choose a subject for her project, it felt natural to try and translate that beauty into another language: fashion.
“Jellyfish are strange but beautiful,” she says. “They seem light, ethereal, but they can also be dangerous. They don’t swim—they get carried by the currents. I wanted my dress to express all of that.”
A Family Passion Woven In
Sewing wasn’t completely foreign to her. Diletta grew up surrounded by fabrics, sewing machines, and sketches—her mother is a fashion designer. Touching materials, observing how garments are constructed, has always been part of her daily life.
“My mom is my biggest inspiration. I hope I can be like her one day.”
Still, when she decided to create the dress herself, she barely knew how to sew. Her product design classes had given her a few basics, but this was a whole new level. So she bought her first sewing machine—and started learning. With patience, mistakes, and determination.
Together with her mother, she built the technical structure hidden beneath the dress’s soft surface: a kind of skeleton, made with materials strong enough to support the shape, yet flexible enough not to break.
It’s a feat of engineering and balance—an invisible effort that holds up the entire piece.
“There’s so much hidden work underneath that dress,” she explains. And that’s exactly where much of its strength lies.
A Surprising Ally: Alberta Ferretti
Diletta’s journey took an unexpected and extraordinary turn: she met with designer Alberta Ferretti, who not only believed in the project, but chose to support her throughout the creative process.
During one of their meetings, Ferretti recommended fabrics better suited to the flowing, translucent effect Diletta wanted to achieve. She even brought her some of her own materials, guiding her through the best techniques to bring her marine-inspired vision to life.
Diletta, MYP Student
“Using her fabrics was an honor. And soon, I’ll visit her factory to see up close the world I dream of entering.”
Fashion as a Personal Language
For Diletta, fashion isn’t just about style. It’s a language. A form of expression. A way to show who you are.
“Fashion is how you say who you are, what you believe in, what you stand for.”
Her project is not just about aesthetics—it’s about power and softness coexisting. It’s a way of telling her story: that of a girl who knows how to let herself be moved by emotions, yet is capable of building something strong, with care and vision.
Eyes on the Future
Diletta knows exactly where she wants to go. She wants to study fashion and one day launch her own line—just like her mom. She’s already drawing new designs, thinking ahead.
She says the IB has given her the space and tools to explore, to take risks, and to learn by doing. Art and product design classes, in particular, helped her discover her voice.
And if you asked her what she’s learned from this journey, she’d probably say:
“That even when something feels too hard, it’s worth trying. If you believe in it and give it your all, the result might surprise you.”
A Message to Keep Close
The jellyfish dress is more than a fashion piece—it’s a statement of intent. A starting point. A personal and professional path rooted in inspiration, courage, and beauty.
For anyone like Diletta dreaming of a future in fashion, it’s also a reminder: don’t be afraid to be bold, original, different.
“I hope my project can inspire other girls too. Because experimenting is hard—but necessary. And if you put yourself out there, something beautiful always happens.”
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