I am a multidisciplinary fashion design professional blending craft and concept across woven and knit textiles, from research to production and show collections. I enjoy transforming ideas into wearable stories that perform on the runway and in campaigns. I thrive in collaborative teams, leading with curiosity, mentoring designers, and delivering high-quality results on tight timelines. I’m passionate about the show collection process, from research to concept development, mood and color direction, fabric sourcing, and final fittings.…

Valentina Xu Desideri

I am a multidisciplinary fashion design professional blending craft and concept across woven and knit textiles, from research to production and show collections. I enjoy transforming ideas into wearable stories that perform on the runway and in campaigns. I thrive in collaborative teams, leading with curiosity, mentoring designers, and delivering high-quality results on tight timelines. I’m passionate about the show collection process, from research to concept development, mood and color direction, fabric sourcing, and final fittings.…

Available to hire

I am a multidisciplinary fashion design professional blending craft and concept across woven and knit textiles, from research to production and show collections. I enjoy transforming ideas into wearable stories that perform on the runway and in campaigns.

I thrive in collaborative teams, leading with curiosity, mentoring designers, and delivering high-quality results on tight timelines. I’m passionate about the show collection process, from research to concept development, mood and color direction, fabric sourcing, and final fittings.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

Italian
Fluent
English
Advanced
Chinese
Advanced
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Head of Show Collections at Missoni
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025
Led the development of Missoni's seasonal show collections, overseeing archive research, materials sourcing, team management, sketch development, moulage/draping, knitwear development, print/embroidery placements, and show preparation.
Senior Design Consultant at Missoni
February 1, 2025 - November 25, 2025
Design consultancy supporting the senior design team, concept development, archive research, materials sourcing, and prototyping; collaboration with the Creative Director and reporting to the Chief Designer (Filippo Grazio li).
Head of Show Collections at Missoni
May 1, 2023 - January 31, 2025
Leading head of show collections; archive and concept research; materials sourcing; manage a team of 6; sketching and design development for woven and knitwear; moulage/draping; follow yarn choices and sampling; oversee fittings for show collections.
Senior Women's Wear Designer at Etro
November 1, 2021 - Present
Senior Women's Wear Designer focusing on Flor, reporting to Head Designer; collaboration with Creative Directors; contribute to collection development.
Fashion Designer at Alberta Ferretti
December 1, 2020 - Present
Focus on Flor collection; reporting to Creative Director Alberta Ferretti; involvement in design development and fittings.
Fashion Designer at Mental (Knit Consulting Office)
October 1, 2020 - Present
Freelance fashion designer; knit consulting and design development; leading sampling and knitwear execution.
Senior Women's Wear Design Consultant at Alexis
January 1, 2020 - Present
Senior Women's Wear Design Consultant; reported to Creative Directors Alexis and Ana Barbara; led design development and team coordination for women's wear.
Womens Wear Designer at Roberto Cavalli
February 1, 2016 - December 31, 2019
Womens Wear Designer RTW Main Line; reported to Women's Wear Head Designer; collaborated with Creative Directors Peter Dundas (2016) and Paul Surridge (2017-2019) on main line collections.
Women's Wear Designer Assistant at Emilio Pucci
July 1, 2015 - January 31, 2016
Assistant designer supporting head designer; assisted design development across ready-to-wear and seasonal collections.
Senior Womenswear Designer at Alexis
January 1, 2023 - Present
Reporting to Creative Directors Alexis and Ana Barbara. Managing a team of 6 people.
Womenswear Designer - RTW Main Line at Roberto Cavalli
February 1, 2016 - December 31, 2019
Reporting to the Women's wear Head Designer and to Creative Directors Peter Dundas (2016), Paul Surridge (2017-2019).
Fashion Designer at Mental-Knit Consulting Office
October 1, 2020 - Present
Freelance fashion design work including concept creation, pattern development and production support.
Senior Womenswear Designer at Etro
November 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Focus on Womenswear collection; reporting to the Womenswear Head Designer.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fashion Design at University for the Creative Arts, Rochester, UK
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2015
Italian Esame di Stato at Istituto Salesiano Villa Sora, Frascati, Italy
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
BA (Hons) Fashion Design at University for the Creative Arts, Rochester, UK
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2015
Italian Esame di Stato (Equivalent to GCSE) at Istituto Salesiano Villa Sora, Frascati, Italy
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2012
BA (Hons) Fashion Design at University for the Creative Arts, Rochester, UK
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2015
Esame di Stato (GCSE equivalent) at Istituto Salesiano Sora, FraScati, Italy
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2012

Qualifications

Italian Esame di Stato
January 1, 2012 - November 25, 2025
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2015
Italian Esame di Stato (Equivalent to GCSE)
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2012

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Other

Skills

Experience Level