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At first glance, Nicola Paparusso’s career reads like a collision of mismatched worlds: Italian defense committees, global television broadcasts, anti-racism activism, and haute couture catwalks. But listen closely—or better yet, watch his work—and you’ll see it: a single, steady rhythm pulsing beneath it all. It’s the heartbeat of a man who doesn’t see silos. He sees systems. And he’s learning how to redesign them.
In a year already brimming with cultural upheaval, Paparusso’s name is starting to whisper through the corridors of influence—not in the predictable halls of parliament, but from film festivals, UN panels, and fashion houses from Dakar to Milan.
Born in 1963 in Lecce, in the heart of southern Italy, Paparusso’s early years were rooted in politics and public service. With a degree in political science from the University of Naples Federico II, he climbed the institutional ladder quickly.
By the early 2000s, he was serving in the Italian Senate as legislative adviser to the Defense Committee, and later, liaising with the Italian delegation to NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly.
But even back then, something tugged at the edges of his official résumé. A fascination with stories. With communication. With how ideas—big, dangerous, beautiful ideas—can move not just policy, but people.
It was no surprise, then, when Paparusso made the leap into television. Not as a talking head or backroom consultant, but as a creator. He co-wrote and produced Gran Galà del Made in Italy, a glamorous celebration of Italian excellence, directed by Giancarlo Nicotra and aired on Rai Italia to a global audience.
The show was a hit. But more importantly, it was a message: culture is diplomacy. Design is power. And Italy, when curated well, could still enchant the world.
In 2015, that message still resonates—especially in light of the recognition the program received from the highest office in the land: a Medal of Representation from President Giorgio Napolitano.
But it’s African Fashion Gate (AFG), founded this year, that might become Paparusso’s most enduring legacy. AFG is more than an initiative. It’s a movement—a cross-cultural platform where fashion becomes a vehicle for social justice. Created to fight racism and promote diversity within the fashion world, AFG is already making headlines for its bold events held at the European Parliament and the European Commission offices in Rome.
Its flagship gala, La Moda Veste la Pace (“Fashion Wears Peace”), is set to become an annual marker of progress—honoring designers, artists, and activists who use their work to unify, rather than divide.
“We’re not just showcasing clothes,” Paparusso says. “We’re showcasing values.”
Parallel to his public career, Paparusso writes with clarity and bite. His 2008 novel Caffè Corretto won the Approdi d’Autore prize, while his 2014 sociological essay Angeli Assassini dissected the complex relationship between media and violence. Whether through fiction or non-fiction, his pen—like his camera—is pointed at power, race, and representation.
He doesn’t just talk change—he teaches it. Paparusso lectures on fashion sociology at Escuela Superior Sevilla de Moda, where he challenges students to deconstruct beauty norms, trace colonial legacies in clothing, and rethink what fashion is for.
“Fashion is culture,” he tells his students. “And culture shapes reality.”
He also directs Voci in Passerella (“Voices on the Catwalk”), a digital magazine that highlights emerging talents and issues from the intersection of fashion, society, and ethics.
True to form, its not just a style blog. Its a forum for dialogue. A mouthpiece for those who too often go unheard.
By 2015’s end, Nicola Paparusso will likely be preparing for the next AFG event, editing his next short film, or coaching the next generation of thinkers and doers.
But no matter the medium—screen, stage, or Senate—one thing is clear:
Nicola Paparusso is turning culture into currency. And he’s spending it where it counts.
From Lecce to Brussels, from film set to fashion runway, his message is unmistakable: diversity isn't a problem to solve—it's the masterpiece we’ve yet to complete.
Written by; Chinonso Nicholas