Defne YucesoyThis summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Bocconi Summer School in Milan . It was a two week program that opened my eyes to the dynamic worlds of entrepreneurship and fashion through hands on learning, collaboration, and creative problem solving.
Week 1: Entrepreneurship Course
Our first week focused on entrepreneurship. In teams, we were challenged to identify a gap in the market and design a business concept around it. My group focused on one of the most influential forces shaping Gen Z: trends. Whether it’s discovering the newest brunch spot, viral skincare items, or emerging jewelry brands, finding trends often means digging through multiple platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, blogs, and more.
So we asked: what if there was one platform that curated it all?
From that idea, TrendHOP was born . TrendHOP is a sleek, social-media-style app that brings together trending places, beauty products, and fashion must-haves in one interface. I took the lead in developing a prototype for the app, designing an intuitive layout inspired by Instagram but tailored for discovery. The app includes features like interactive maps for hotspots, swipeable fashion feeds, and category filters for makeup, jewelry, and more. It was my first time designing a prototype, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed blending creativity with user centered thinking!
Week 2: Fashion and Luxury Course
The second week transitioned into the world of fashion and luxury , an area that fascinates me both creatively and economically. We explored the evolution of luxury branding, the psychology behind consumer behavior, and the global strategies that power today’s biggest fashion houses.
As a final project, my group created a presentation on Nike, dissecting its global strategy from design aesthetics to pricing tiers. We analyzed how Nike balances performance innovation with cultural relevance , from its iconic collaborations to its sustainability initiatives. We also examined the data behind its best-selling collections, the role of storytelling in its marketing, and how its pricing strategies differ across regions. This experience helped me understand how numbers, branding, and identity intersect in the fashion industry.
My Takeaways 🙂
What I appreciated most about the Bocconi Summer School was how it blended creativity with strategy. I wasn’t just learning about business and fashion in theory — I was building, designing, pitching, and analyzing. These two weeks pushed me to think like both an innovator and a storyteller.
Beyond the Classroom: Friendships & Gelato
But what truly made this experience unforgettable were the people. I feel incredibly lucky to have met some of the most genuine, hilarious, and inspiring friends in Milan.
Dani, Niraj, and Filippo — thank you for the endless conversations, spontaneous walks, and the way you made even the simplest dinners feel special. From debating the future to sharing stories from home, our time together made Milan felt like more than just a classroom.
And of course — thank you for the best gelato I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget our hunt for the perfect scoop and the laughs we shared along the way 🙂
