Designer Edward Buchanan, a knitwear specialist formerly with Bottega Veneta and Off-White, has launched "The Situation," a non-profit creative hub in Milan's NoLo district. The 400-square-meter space is designed to provide mentorship and residency opportunities for under-represented artists, including people of color, queer, and female practitioners.
From Parsons to Bottega Veneta: The power of seeing yourself reflected
The foundation of Buchanan’s new project is rooted in the mentorship he received early in his career. According to the report, while studying at New York’s Parsons School of Design, Buchanan was supported by industry figures like Gordon Henderson and Rodney Patterson, the latter of whom helped him secure a role at Bottega Veneta . These connections allowed him to become the brand's first ready-to-wear design director.
This history of mentorship informs the mission of The Situation. buchanan aims to provide the same visibility to disadvantaged communities that he once lacked. He notes that seeing individuals who look like him within the fashion system was a "huge" factor in his success, and he intends to use his extensive network to help queer, Black, and Brown artists navigate the industry's complexities.
A €400,000 commitment to Milan’s NoLo district
Located in the multicultural NoLo district of Milan, the 400-square-meter building serves as both a workspcae and a gallery. The report states that Buchanan has already invested €400,000 into the construction and materials for the interior, a figure that does not include the initial purchase price of the building. The space is designed with a strong focus on sustainability, utilizing solar panels and materials that are upcycled or recycled.
The facility is divided into functional zones to support various creative practices.. The ground floor features a studio and gallery for residency programs and exhibitions, while the top floor, dubbed "At Eddie’s ," houses Buchanan’s personal design office and an archive of his work. this archive includes pieces from his tenure at Bottega Veneta (1995-2000) and his recent work as a knitwear designer for Pucci, where he reports to creative director Camille Miceli .
Rejecting outside investment to protect The Situation’s autonomy
Unlike many modern creative ventures, The Situation is entirely self-funded and will remain financially autonomous without outside investment. Buchanan expressed a desire to prove that Black and Brown individuals can economically and holistically support growing businesses within the Italian creative landscape. This independence is a core pillar of the project's philosophy.
To maintain the space, Buchanan is relying on partnerships with brands that align with his principles. The report mentions that companies such as Acqua Di Parma are supplying soap, Listone Giordano provided the wood flooring, and Wilkhahn supplied sustainable work chairs. By leveraging these synergies, Buchanan hopes to fund artist projects—ranging from three-month residencies to six-month ceramicist stays—without compromising the foundation's core mission.
Will Francesco Risso join the selection board?
While the vision for The Situation is clear,several logistical details remain in development. Buchanan is currently in the process of building an institutionally esteemed board to oversee the selection of residency candidates. one specific name mentioned as a potential board member is Francesco Risso, who recently opened a similar operation in Milan.
As the project moves forward, questions remain regarding the specific criteria for the first round of resident artists and how the foundation will manage the long-term scaling of these creative businesses. While Buchanan intends to push for artist independence, the exact mechanism for how the board will bridge the gap between temporary residency and long-term financial stability for these creators has yet to be fully detailed.
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