ice to meet you! I’m Cecilia Timalo, 22, and I like to think of my twenties as a journey made of discoveries, detours, and plenty of curiosity. I grew up in a small city not too far from Milan, but moving to Europe’s fashion capital gave me
the chance to finally breathe in its vibrant energy Suddenly I was walking through the streets where fashion, history, design, and communication constantly collide. Still, I felt the need to look further. After the long pause of the pandemic, the desire to explore new contexts was stronger than ever That’s why I joined the Erasmus+ program in Belgium — an adventure that taught me the beauty of discovering new cultures. Not long after, I pushed myself again: thanks to the Blended Intensive Program, I studied in Paris, the beating heart of fashion, and in Warsaw, a city in full transformation Eventually, it was time to put theory into practice That’s when I started my internship as Sales & Back Office Assistant at Citizens of Humanity the first step into the professional side of this world.
This portfolio gathers all of these chapters: experiences, projects, and passions that shaped me It’s not just a collection of work, but a story in motion. Ready to dive in?
UNIVERSITY
University has been a cornerstone of my journey It gave me the chance to dive into the topics I’m most passionate about, while also sparking my creativity and pushing me to experiment with new ideas. Many of my projects were born in collaboration with industry professionals, giving me the chance to create work for real brands and see ideas come to life Here are two of my favorite recent projects just a glimpse of the many I’ve worked on Enjoy!
SHOW REC DI TION
There’s something about preparing an event that has always drawn me in: imagining every detail, orchestrating the flow, and watching it all come together, even if it can be stressful! My fascination even inspired my final thesis, centered on the most famous fashion night in the world: the Met Gala
The first project I’m sharing is a fashion show my team and I imagined for Roksanda, one of the UK’s most exciting emerging brands Our task was to design the event experience, not the collection itself. We chose Eltham Palace as the venue a historic location that beautifully blends architecture and nature. Inspired by the artwork behind the collection, we echoed its themes in the set design: fields of wheat creating a dialogue between humanity and nature I contributed to the overall concept, and specifically took charge of the venue planning, event timing, afterparty cocktail, and even a contingency plan in case of rain
EVENT DAY
BEFORE
DIOR PARFUMS
TEMPORARY STORE & STRATEGY
In this project, we stepped into the shoes of brand managers, tasked with presenting an ingenious event and promotion concept for a firm we admired: I chose Dior Parfums
After some research, I decided to focus the event on celebration of the 25th anniversary of J’adore with a temporary store in Milan’s luxury district, timed for the holiday season Inside, visitors would experience the perfume’s story through scent, explore the full J’adore collection, and enjoy a memorable touch: with every purchase a star-shaped charm (that could also double as a Christmas ornament) with a QR code was gifted, offering a chance to win a private tour of the jasmine fields in Grasse, the birthplace of J’adore’s iconic fragrance
The goal was bigger than sales It was about engagement, loyalty, and creating a memorable connection between brand and consumer
WORK projects
In my final year of university, I knew it was time to turn theory into practice That’s how I landed at Citizens of Humanity & Agolde Europe global leaders in denim joining the Sales & Back Office team. What was supposed to be a 3-month internship became an intense 8-month journey, balancing thesis work, exams, and professional growth Initially, I immersed myself in client support, assisting key retail buyers from all over Europe through the entire sales process from selecting samples to managing orders But it was in PR and marketing where I truly found my passion: collaborating with influencers, stylists, journalists, and agencies, juggling last-minute requests in a fast-paced, global environment On the next pages: the names, the faces, and the projects that shaped my first real step into the fashion world.
BE THE LENS HIND
During my internship, working with influencers (both italians and foreigners) and their stylists quickly became one of the most dynamic parts of my experience I loved being the point of contact listening to their needs, finding the right solutions, and making sure every detail was in place On this page, you’ll find some of the faces I had the chance to work with behind the scenes On the next, a glimpse of how those collaborations came to life in front of the camera.
As a child, I used to steal my mom’s fashion magazines and get lost in the glossy pages. I wasn’t just staring at the images I wanted to know what happened before the final shot Who picked the looks, who made it all work? How everything was orchestrated behind the scenes? Years later, contributing to editorials finally revealed the process And the truth is, even in a digital world, their beauty hasn’t faded I had the chance to contribute to magazines such as HARPER’S BAZAAR Turkey, LE MONDE, SPORTWEEK, ELLE MAGAZINE, and more listed here
the pictures:
In
EVA LONGORIA for MADAME FIGARO RAOUL BOVA for F Italia
CLIO BARGELLINI for GRAZIA
I’ve always been drawn to project management and events, but nothing compares to experiencing them in real life That’s exactly what happened with the LUISAVIAROMA & CITIZENS OF HUMANITY AGOLDE event in January 2025. My role focused on the details before, during, and after the event From managing models and gifts to making sure every element was in place, I learned how much the small things matter, even the embedded napkins in the photos above
Beyond logistics, I developed sharper communication and problem-solving skills by coordinating across teams and anticipating last-minute challenges Seeing how these details came together to create a seamless experience for guests reinforced my passion for event management and motivated me to continue pursuing opportunities where I can combine creativity with precision.
In
the pictures:
MARTINA TINARELLI VALENTINA FERRAGNI HAN SEUNG-JU
PERSONAL projects
Limiting myself to academic and professional projects would have meant telling only part of the story I believe that creativity also lives in the spaces where we take initiative where we apply what we know to new challenges, on our own terms.
This section reflects that approach. Here, I push ideas further testing, experimenting, and showing how I think. These pages explore imagined collaborations, dissect the logic behind trends, and suggest ways brands could evolve together It’s not just about what’s been done it’s about reimagining what could be.
Gen Z, she bridges classical discipline and contemporary expression making her the perfect face to reintroduce Repetto to a new generation
Recent features in outlets such as VANITY FAIR and WHO WHAT WEAR confirm that the balletcore aesthetic (a trend blending classic ballet elegance with contemporary fashion) remains strong and is projected to stay relevant well into 2026.
METRICS
THE COLLECTION
blending Repetto’s iconic ballet flats and dancewear with modern,
sport-chic influences inspired by Tate’s aesthetic Imagine soft
apparel would appeal to both dancers and style-conscious young silhouettes in unexpected colors, metallic accents, or graphic details
from her music videos Alongside classic ballet flats with bold metallic touches, fresh colorways, and subtle references to Tate’s visual world, audiences.
satile pieces such as bodysuits or streetwear-inspired dance
COLLABORATION PROMPT
THE AUDIENCE
THE CAMPAIGN
The campaign narrative would highlight Tate’s personal story: her evolution from dancer to pop artist, and how Repetto fits seamlessly into both roles Content could span an intimate promotional film of her dancing in full Repetto looks, social activations such as dance classes with fans and influencers, and behind-the-scenes storytelling about what dance means to her This balance of heritage and youth culture would create both authenticity and cultural buzz
The audience? Young (from 15 to 30 years old), style-driven consumers who want more than just a product they want a story to identify with By leveraging Tate’s authenticity and Repetto’s heritage, the campaign would merge tradition with modernity in a way that feels both aspirational and accessible
Activewear has emerged as one of the top trends of 2025 While 2024 was dominated by wellness fads like Ozempic, 2025 marks a shift toward authentic fitness and athletically-toned bodies, with running, wìsports, and wellness regaining prominence The global athleisure market grew by 9 5% in 2024, reaching $85 billion, and is projected to hit $95 billion by 2026 as consumers increasingly blend performance, comfort, and style
EREWHON
instantly recognisable even without seeing the logo.xemplifies a lifestyle brand pushing beyond its core supermarket business. Its expansion into fashion, wellness, and hospitality highlighted by the upcoming Kith Ivy Club in New York featuring Erewhon’s smoothie bar demonstrates the brand’s holistic approach. Erewhon’s campaigns over the past year alone generated around 15M impressions with an average engagement rate of 7.5%, showing strong resonance with wellness- and fashion-conscious audiences.
ALO
similarly, has leveraged celebrity-driven campaigns and collaborations, with top models like Kendall Jenner, to make yoga and athleisure both aspirational and culturally relevant. Both brands have created high-virality moments in recent years, and a deeper collaboration between Alo and Erewhon could amplify these strengths Imagine exclusive wellness pop-ups, tailor made supplements and post-workout smoothies, yoga sessions with celebrities, or co-branded athleisure collections available in Erewhon’s New York locations
Such a collaboration would not only merge fashion, fitness, and lifestyle in a holistic way but also benefit both brands by tapping into new audiences, creating shareable content, and positioning themselves as leaders in the activewear-lifestyle space. With Erewhon expanding into fashion and lifestyle, and Alo continuing to innovate in activewear, the partnership represents a timely and natural synergy that could set new trends for 2026 and beyond.
TREND ANALYSIS
, before moving on to the final section (Qualifications and Contacts), I would like to highlight the achievements and positive feedback I have received throughout my journey. I hope this collection of projects and passions has been enjoyable to explore, and that my enthusiasm for this world has shone through every page
Can’t wait to share more and looking forward to connecting with you soon!
TOP GPA
Graduated with the highest honours as the result of my consistent dedication, every project I developed during my bachelor’s studies received top scores Even when created as exercises, these works were recognized by experts in the field for their quality and creativity This same passion now inspire my personal projects, where I continue to experiment, challenge myself, and push ideas beyond the classroom
R
RESOURCEFULNESS
During my internship, I consistently managed last-minute requests from stylists and clients, delivering items selections that were always well-received I reliably met tight deadlines and quickly resolved challenges, finding effective solutions every time. This combination of attentiveness, efficiency, and creative problemsolving continues to shape the way I approach my work today
SECURED CLIENTS
In just one mid-season, I contributed to identifying and attracting potential clients, many of whom (around 10) became loyal customers, by ensuring an exceptional and memorable selling experience during their first visit.
A
ABROAD CONTACTS
Thanks to my extensive international experiences both during my academic journey and through my professional work I have cultivated a broad and diverse network of contacts across multiple sectors and countries.
