A Week in Italy: The Power of Puglia and International Creativity
Stylist and Public Relations Specialists Joshua Pasquale
in Kwame Koranteng
Picture it — London, 2025. Your celebrity stylist and fashion director friend (and dare I say, mentor) Taiwo Meghoma calls to tell you he’s hosting a forum that’s bringing together creatives and power players from all over the world — against the captivating, underrated backdrop of Bari, Italy. And he wants you there. Your first question should be: “When should I book my flight?”
I’ve always been proud of growing up with Italian heritage on my dad’s side in Calgary, Canada. Though I take after my mum’s Canadian-British side for individuality, work ethic, and humour, my Italian side infused in me a sense of aesthetics, craftsmanship, and community. I’ve always felt that these two sides are where my ambition and creativity stem from.
Now that I’m in London, it feels like my soul has found home. It’s like my very DNA recognises the streets, history, and crumpets. I haven’t felt this at home in my life, ever. Still, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the Mediterranean lifestyle. Every time I’m back in Italy, it feels like I’m visiting family — familiar, grounding, and full of warmth (and food).
A Global and Creative Economy Forum
Teatro Petruzzelli
Besides increasing my carb intake tenfold (and stealing a little getaway with my boyfriend), the main focus of this trip was attending Taiwo’s Creative Economy Forum. Taiwo’s passion for Puglia is both unmatched and endearing. For him, bringing together leading figures from fashion, sports, media, coaching, and international relations in the heart of Puglia meant achieving two important things: creating an open global network for creatives, and shining a spotlight on one of Italy’s most underrated gems.
I’d never been to Puglia before, so I was curious to see this part of the boot for myself.
When we arrived at the forum, we immediately saw the scale of Taiwo’s achievement. The Teatro Petruzzelli — an eye-watering venue — stood as proof of why Italy remains a design powerhouse. My favourite thing about Italy is that you don’t need to be in Rome, Milan, or Venice to experience grandeur. Even in Bari, you’re surrounded by gilded opera houses, frescoed ceilings that steal your breath, and cobbled streets that transport you to another era.
When I wasn’t mesmerised by the theatre’s architecture, I was listening intently to panellists from diverse, challenging, and profoundly human backgrounds. You never quite know what to expect when a panellist speaks for the first time, but I left that day with ideas that stuck with me.
First Panels: Fashion and Artisanship — Preserving Tradition in a Globalised World
Creative Economy Forum in Bari, Italy
Joshua Pasquale with designer Kwame Koranteng
The first panel felt instantly close to my heart. It centred on fashion and artisanship — particularly how we preserve the centuries-old traditions that make Italy iconic.
As someone passionate about designing adaptive clothing inspired by my mum’s experience with fibromyalgia, I was immediately drawn in. Being in a room full of master fabric makers and craftsmen inspired fresh new thoughts and plans for how to preserve tradition and continue to innovate.
Among the speakers were H.E. Tessy Antoine de Nassau, CEO of Human Highness, and Antonio Pio Saracino, an acclaimed Italian architect and sculptor who lives in New York City.
Tessy’s story fascinated me. From her origins in the Royal Family of Luxembourg, to her military service, and now running a fashion brand with purpose. She spoke about always starting with a simple mission. Hers? To create a better world for her children. That simple truth grounded her message: that success should always come from humanity. Too often in business, we lose sight of what we’re truly striving for. Her reminder that simplicity and sincerity can guide complex dreams really resonated with me.
Then there was Antonio, who spoke about leaving Italy for New York, where he learned to adapt to the global pace of the city while holding tight to his heritage. Growing up in Italy surrounded by art and architecture made that duality second nature to him. Listening to him, I couldn’t help but relate: leaving Canada for London was my own version of that leap. It takes courage to leave home to find opportunity, but it’s how we grow. I hope one day my work, too, reflects that same pride and evolution.
Second Panels: The Adaptability Creatives Need
The panels overflowed with talent. Among the standouts were Oli Rose (Director of Operations, Lang Lang Foundation), The Hon. Unurmaa Janchiv (Cultural Envoy of Mongolia), Professor Maria Carmela Ostillio (SDA Bocconi School of Management), and Professor Antonio Messeni Petruzzelli (Politecnico di Bari), the grandson of the Teatro’s architect.
As they spoke, one word echoed in my mind: adaptivity.
Maria, in her rich southern Puglian accent, said something that instantly stuck with me:
“Everyone here is talking about authenticity, and while being authentic is important, brands today must also be adaptive.”
It was a refreshing take. Authenticity has become a buzzword, one we hear it in every keynote and marketing deck. But authenticity alone isn’t enough. It must evolve. It must adapt.
She reminded us that in today’s world, which is shaped by AI, corporate scrutiny, and global expectations, adaptability is the real marker of strength.
Think about sustainability in fashion. So many brands claim authenticity through eco-friendly materials or circular processes. But when it comes to walking the walk, many fall short.
Maria’s point was that transparency is more powerful than perfection. Consumers no longer trust brands that seem “too good to be true.” It’s better to admit you’re learning, trying, and improving, than to pretend you’ve mastered it all.
I may have missed a line or two (thanks to a much-needed carb-induced siesta), but her message stayed with me. Adaptivity isn’t just survival; I see it as integrity in motion.
Now the Glamorous Part: The Fashion of Puglia
Joshua Pasquale and Taiwo Meghoma
At the Mandala Awards Gala
After the panels, we changed into our finest attire and headed to a spectacular gala dinner hosted by the Mandela Awards, alongside Dr Ndelika Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela himself.
I had the chance to meet and personally thank each of the speakers — adding them to my ever-growing network of creatives I admire. Networking can sometimes feel daunting, but I’ve found that most creatives genuinely want to help each other succeed. That spirit was alive in Puglia.
With the bread eaten, the three-course dinner savoured, and the wine gracefully finished, we bid buona notte to our new friends from around the world, who, I’m happy to say, welcomed my boyfriend and me with open arms.
The following day, we attended a trade show at Jr Hotels Grande Albergo delle Nazioni, featuring more than thirty Puglia-based fashion brands.
What Makes Puglia’s Designers So Special
Joshua Pasquale
Four things stood out to me about the fashion scene in Puglia:
Generational Legacy: Many brands have been family-run for up to 27 generations. Designers like Maria Elena Di Terlizzi and the Gruppo Stile de Virgilio carry on their ancestors’ craftsmanship like living heritage.
Mastery of Craft: Puglia is renowned for handcrafted weaving, sculptural forms, and knitwear — perfectly embodied by Anna Paparella, DIRMA Project, and Sara Sfregola.
Behind the Luxury Labels: Many major houses, from Armani to Max Mara and Tom Ford, quietly rely on Puglian artisans for their production. One such example is KOD5, a brand founded by a designer who once crafted for those very names before launching her own label.
Underrated Excellence: Despite all these skills and craft, many Puglian designers struggle for global recognition and are often overshadowed by the Big Four fashion capitals.
That’s why exploring regions like this matters. While my heart belongs to London, I know what it’s like to live in the shadow of bigger cities. Attending the Apulian Runway Experience wasn’t just about collecting contacts. For me, it was about discovering and celebrating the extraordinary talent thriving quietly in this part of Italy and showcasing it to the world
What I Took From Terra di Bari
Joshua Pasquale
in Kwame Koranteng
This might come as a surprise, but I’m not always confident in my creativity. I can often be plagued by imposter syndrome and a belief that there isn’t room for me in the creative world. Especially the international creative world. Puglia was a nice reminder that I do belong.
Puglia reminded me that creativity doesn’t just belong to the major hubs of fashion. It thrives anywhere heritage, passion, and craftsmanship meet. It also reminded me of the responsibility those who do live in larger cities have to bridge these worlds together. I believe that when we connect impassioned designers from areas that don’t always get their exposure, we are doing a service not only to them, but to the world of creativity.
Thus, like the flavours and artistry of the region, everyone can be enriched.
