Galib Gassanoff’s INSTITUTION: Heritage as a Manifesto of Modernity

In an industry often obsessed with the next big thing, Galib Gassanoff is moving at a different tempo. While others chase the "now," the Georgia-born designer is looking backward to move forward, deconstructing his heritage to build something entirely new. At the helm of his Italy-based label, Institution, Gassanoff is proving that in 2026, authenticity is the most compelling choice a designer can make.

It has been a landmark year for Gassanoff. Recently named an LVMH Prize semifinalist and the winner of the Zalando Visionary Award, the designer is quickly becoming a significant name on the global stage. His vision is rooted in a childhood spent between the village of Karajalari and the city of Tbilisi, environments where different languages and traditions naturally overlapped.

This background forms the soul of Institution, which functions as much as a socio-cultural project as a fashion brand, focusing on natural materials and rare techniques that are becoming increasingly scarce in today's market.

Gassanoff's work is most striking when cultural identity takes a physical form. A standout example is a dress crafted from Georgian coins, a piece that balances historical symbolism with a modern silhouette. This focus on storytelling is supported by a strong technical foundation; his mastery of woven textures and sharp Italian tailoring has already caught the attention of industry experts like Edward Buchanan and Giuliano Calza.

Gasanoff displays a masterful command of woven textiles, sculpting silhouettes that cling with architectural precision – a testament to the Italian tailoring that first captivated the international jury. Having secured the €50.000 Zalando prize, the designer is now poised for a major milestone. Under the mentorship of Edward Buchanan and Emma Matell, Gasanoff will unveil his SS27 collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week this August.