Knitwear design is not just what I do — it’s how I create, lead, and transform. As a Head Knitwear Designer and Product Development Director, I merge creative vision and technical strategy to develop menswear and womenswear collections in knitwear, legwear, seamless technology (bodywear, activewear, leisurewear) and cut & sew. With over twenty years of experience in the luxury and international fashion industry — including Calvin Klein Collection, Golden Goose, Mary Katrantzou, Wolford, Dolce & Gabbana, Antonio Marras, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Forte Forte — I oversee the full product lifecycle, from yarn research and stitch development to prototyping, fitting, pricing, and pre-production. Since 2024, I have integrated Generative Artificial Intelligence into the fashion design and product development process, building complete visual ecosystems: from CompSets and moodboards to collection sketches and flat renderings, up to the creation of virtual sets, digital campaigns, and runway simulations. This approach fluidly connects design language, creative research, and brand communication, improving efficiency, consistency, and visual impact. As the Founder of Mental-Knit-Studio, I collaborate with maisons, brands, and designers to transform creative visions into collections that are coherent, high-performing, and identity-driven, integrating AI, technical know-how, and artistic direction. Through Mental-Knit-Academy, I have developed training programs for companies and individual professionals who want to strengthen their creativity and technical expertise in contemporary knitwear. The Academy combines Generative AI, collection design, and design culture, offering practical tools to think like designers and act like innovators. From the yarn to the identity.

Valeria Benedetti

Knitwear design is not just what I do — it’s how I create, lead, and transform. As a Head Knitwear Designer and Product Development Director, I merge creative vision and technical strategy to develop menswear and womenswear collections in knitwear, legwear, seamless technology (bodywear, activewear, leisurewear) and cut & sew. With over twenty years of experience in the luxury and international fashion industry — including Calvin Klein Collection, Golden Goose, Mary Katrantzou, Wolford, Dolce & Gabbana, Antonio Marras, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Forte Forte — I oversee the full product lifecycle, from yarn research and stitch development to prototyping, fitting, pricing, and pre-production. Since 2024, I have integrated Generative Artificial Intelligence into the fashion design and product development process, building complete visual ecosystems: from CompSets and moodboards to collection sketches and flat renderings, up to the creation of virtual sets, digital campaigns, and runway simulations. This approach fluidly connects design language, creative research, and brand communication, improving efficiency, consistency, and visual impact. As the Founder of Mental-Knit-Studio, I collaborate with maisons, brands, and designers to transform creative visions into collections that are coherent, high-performing, and identity-driven, integrating AI, technical know-how, and artistic direction. Through Mental-Knit-Academy, I have developed training programs for companies and individual professionals who want to strengthen their creativity and technical expertise in contemporary knitwear. The Academy combines Generative AI, collection design, and design culture, offering practical tools to think like designers and act like innovators. From the yarn to the identity.

Available to hire

Knitwear design is not just what I do — it’s how I create, lead, and transform.

As a Head Knitwear Designer and Product Development Director, I merge creative vision and technical strategy to develop menswear and womenswear collections in knitwear, legwear, seamless technology (bodywear, activewear, leisurewear) and cut & sew.
With over twenty years of experience in the luxury and international fashion industry — including Calvin Klein Collection, Golden Goose, Mary Katrantzou, Wolford, Dolce & Gabbana, Antonio Marras, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Forte Forte — I oversee the full product lifecycle, from yarn research and stitch development to prototyping, fitting, pricing, and pre-production.

Since 2024, I have integrated Generative Artificial Intelligence into the fashion design and product development process, building complete visual ecosystems: from CompSets and moodboards to collection sketches and flat renderings, up to the creation of virtual sets, digital campaigns, and runway simulations.
This approach fluidly connects design language, creative research, and brand communication, improving efficiency, consistency, and visual impact.

As the Founder of Mental-Knit-Studio, I collaborate with maisons, brands, and designers to transform creative visions into collections that are coherent, high-performing, and identity-driven, integrating AI, technical know-how, and artistic direction.

Through Mental-Knit-Academy, I have developed training programs for companies and individual professionals who want to strengthen their creativity and technical expertise in contemporary knitwear.
The Academy combines Generative AI, collection design, and design culture, offering practical tools to think like designers and act like innovators.

From the yarn to the identity.

See more

Language

Italian
Fluent
English
Advanced

Work Experience

Founder & Director at MENTAL-KNIT STUDIO
December 1, 2012 - November 2, 2025
Consulting atelier focused on knitwear, cut&sew, seamless and accessories for creative start-ups, premium brands and independent fashion houses. End-to-end collection development, sourcing (yarn, fabric, stitch, materials), moodboard/color development, R&D of treatments/prints/embroidery, advanced prototyping on Stoll, Shima, Steiger, Santoni and Karl Mayer machinery, technical sheets and size charts, prototype follow-up, supplier coordination (Italy, China, Romania, Portugal, India), fittings, quality control, pricing, market analysis and product positioning, and showroom/presentation support.
Founder at MENTAL-KNIT ACADEMY
January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Online academy dedicated to fashion training focused on knitwear, cut&sew, seamless, AI and sustainability. Courses integrate creativity, technique and awareness.
Fashion Design Lecturer at ISTITUTO LORENZO DE’ MEDICI, FLORENCE
December 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021
Teaching international students with focus on creative development, collection design and fashion portfolio building. Creative direction, mentoring and professional coaching.
Head of Knitwear Department at INTERFASHION, RIMINI
December 1, 2012 - December 1, 2012
Creation and supervision of style/product for knitwear, cut&sew and seamless collections for the brands High Everyday Couture, Marithé + François Girbaud and I’m Isola Marras.
Head of Knitwear Department at JAM SESSION, PARMA
March 1, 2007 - March 1, 2007
Integrated responsibility for both style and product development for men’s/women’s/kids’ knitwear for Guru.
Senior Knitwear & Cut&sew Designer and Creative Product Developer at FUZZI S.p.A., RIMINI
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2005
Style proposals and product development for Jean Paul Gaultier, Hugo Boss and Baldessarini.
Senior Knitwear Designer at DOLCE & GABBANA, MILAN
September 1, 2002 - September 1, 2002
Development of men’s/women’s knitwear collections; trend research, stitch development and technical coordination.
Fashion Design Lecturer at Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici, Firenze
December 31, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Teaching international students with focus on creative development, collection design and fashion portfolio building. Creative direction, mentoring and professional coaching.
Head of Knitwear Department at Interfashion, Rimini
December 31, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Creation and supervision of style/product for knitwear, cut&sew and seamless collections for the brands: High Everyday Couture, Marithé + François Girbaud and I’m Isola Marras.
Head of Knitwear Department at Jam Session, Parma
March 31, 2007 - March 31, 2007
Integrated responsibility for both style and product development for men’s/women’s/kids’ knitwear for Guru.
Senior Knitwear & Cut&sew Designer and Creative Product Developer at Fuzzi S.p.A., Rimini
January 31, 2005 - January 31, 2005
Style proposals and product development for Jean Paul Gaultier, Hugo Boss and Baldessarini.
Senior Knitwear Designer at Dolce & Gabbana, Milan
September 30, 2002 - September 30, 2002
Development of men’s/women’s knitwear collections for D&G. Trend research, design, stitch development and technical coordination.

Education

AI for Fashion: Style, Product, Communication at NID
January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Generative Intelligence in Design at NID
January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Master in Art Therapy at Artedo Network
January 1, 2022 - November 2, 2025
Stoll M1 Plus Programming at Carpi
January 1, 2013 - November 2, 2025
Diploma in Knitwear Design at Polimoda, Florence
January 11, 2030 - November 2, 2025
High School Diploma in Fine Arts at Florence Art Institute
January 11, 2030 - November 2, 2025

Qualifications

AI for Fashion: Style, Product, Communication
January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Generative Intelligence in Design
January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Master in Art Therapy
January 1, 2022 - November 2, 2025
Stoll M1 Plus Programming
January 1, 2013 - November 2, 2025
AI for Fashion: Style, Product, Communication
January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Generative Intelligence in Design
January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Master in Art Therapy
January 1, 2022 - November 2, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Retail, Professional Services, Other, Consumer Goods, Education

Hire a Designer

We have the best designer experts on Twine. Hire a designer today.