Mporio Explodes with Over 10 Orders in One Day 

By Aishah Bashir

Earlier this month, Marist Italy hosted high school counselors from all corners of the world, and many of them left Florence with a literal piece of Mporio in their luggage. Over a dozen designs are now floating around in wardrobes from country to country, quietly expanding the brand’s unofficial “international presence”.

Origins

For context, Mporio takes its name from the Greek ἐμπόριον—the classical “emporium,” a trading post or marketplace. It’s a fitting reference for a campus constantly negotiating between its identity in Florence and its roots in Poughkeepsie. 

Launched in Spring 2023 as the Italian sibling of Marist’s Poughkeepsie-based “Mporium,” the Florence version quickly carved out its own identity. Still rooted in the Marist brand but più fresco, blending everyday student creativity with hints of Florentine fashion culture, from street style to Pitti Uomo energy.

Meet the Creative Crew

This semester’s Mporio magic is powered by Ainsley Walter, Olivia DeAngelis, and Celestine Turner, who stepped in during what can only be described as a “one-woman-show” era.

Last year’s lineup, which included co-creative Jennifer Cabrera (now studying abroad in Paris), wrapped up their chapter, leaving space for the new team to rebuild and reimagine the brand.

Now fully onboarded and buzzing with synergy, the team is experimenting with Florentine motifs, new colorways, and silhouettes that actually fit the abroad lifestyle.

• Ainsley is coming into her second year of design and leadership for Mporio, bringing both fresh ideas and seasoned professionalism and experience. Her mission? Use Mporio as a device to tell the Marist Italy story.
• Celestine, a Junior Fashion Merchandising Major, is the hype engine, joyful, reliable, and genuinely thrilled to finally work alongside Ainsley.
• Olivia, who majors in Studio Art and minors in Fashion Merch, rounds out the creative energy with experimentation and vision for what Mporio can evolve into. brings a fresh perspective and a pipeline of ideas ready for professional-level production.

What’s Leaving the Shelves

It’s the end of an era: 

• The beloved baby-tee Duomo motif, Ainsley  + Jennifer Caberra’s (last season’s Mporio creative) iconic design, is almost sold out of its limited edition run. is being discontinued.
• Also discounted: blue metallic tee, Bermuda shorts, shorty shorts, eco-friendly sweats + hoodie, and the black rugby.
• Bottoms? Also Gone. except maybe the sweatpants. Should they be redesigned? Will Florence ever accept casual joggers in the streets? 

Here’s the Good News

Mporio’s Black Friday sale just started. And you can grab all these epic designs at a discount. 

Now here’s where things get really good. There’s a new t-shirt design, which has been launched as you read this. The “I ♥ Marist Italy tee, releasing in both fitted and relaxed styles, arrives just in time for the holidays. Consider it the new merch shorthand for “yes, I studied in Florence, and yes, it changed me.”

Black Friday Sale ends December 2nd, so BUY NOW