Talent: Matteo Miccini. Photographer: Julian Freyberg.
Born in Florence, Matteo Miccini stepped into the world of movement early: First through gymnastics, then through ballet, where he discovered the expressive freedom that would guide his life. His talent was recognized quickly, earning him a scholarship to the prestigious John Cranko School in Stuttgart.
“I remember receiving a scholarship from Tadeusz Matacz, the director of the John Cranko School, after winning a competition. It was my first real window into what professional training looked like. During that time, I observed classes, worked alongside the students, and watched their end-of-year performance. It was during that show, seeing the discipline and talent on stage, that I thought, okay, this is what I want,” recalls Matteo Miccini.
That’s how the four-week glimpse into professional training became his artistic home, shaping him through rigorous technique, mentorship, and the thrill of seeing excellence up close.
Matteo Miccini carries an elegance sharpened by discipline and softened by instinct. Today, he stands at the rare intersection of two worlds: ballet and fashion, each revealing a different facet of his artistry.
Chat with Matteo Miccini
Matteo, you’ve won numerous prestigious awards, from the Anna Pavlova Competition to Premio Danza&Danza. Which award felt the most personal to you, and why?Every award has been special and meant something different to me, but if I had to pick one, I’d say the Premio Positano Léonide Massine. It came at a moment when I was really pushing myself and growing as an artist, and knowing that it has been awarded to ballet legends like Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, Carla Fracci, and Alessandra Ferri made the experience even more meaningful.
Ballet looks effortless on stage, but every dancer knows the unseen challenges behind the curtain. What is one struggle you’ve faced that the public rarely hears about?The constant pressure to maintain consistency, physically and mentally. Some days you are unwell, or you’re dealing with pain or fatigue, and yet you still have to deliver the same level of professionalism. Learning to manage that balance, listening to my body while still pushing myself, has been one of the hardest parts.
Throughout your career, you’ve moved steadily through the ranks: apprentice, Corps de ballet, Demi-Soloist, Soloist, now Principal. What kept you focused and grounded during this long, demanding journey?It was a demanding journey, and it’s very easy to get caught up in comparisons or feel like you’re not meeting expectations, including our own. I learned to focus on my own growth, discover my talent, and appreciate it.
In dance, the body becomes the language. How has your experience as a dancer shaped the way you communicate emotion, story, and character, even off stage?The body is a very powerful language. I believe that learning to express emotion, a story, and a character on stage has made me more aware of how I communicate off stage as well.
Your career spans competitions, international recognition, and countless performances. Is there a specific role or piece that changed the way you see yourself as an artist?Narrowing it down to one role would be impossible, but I can name a few pieces that hold a very special place for me: Songs of a Wayfarer by Maurice Béjart, Le Jeune Homme et la Mort by Roland Petit, Swan Lake by John Cranko and Anna Karenina by John Neumeier. Each of these roles demanded a different level of depth and honesty from me and definitely shaped me as an artist.
Beyond the stage, Matteo Miccini discovered another creative arena: modeling. Signed with IMG Models Worldwide, he brings the same refined awareness of body language to the camera that he brings to performance. His collaboration with Julian Freyberg highlights this duality: strength and elegance, masculinity and softness, intention and spontaneity. What he expresses through choreography, he now translates into shape, line, and presence in editorial work.
Through every role he performs, from Béjart to Petit to Cranko, Matteo Miccini continues to explore the emotional truth at the heart of ballet. For him, technique is only the beginning. The real art lies in communication, vulnerability, and the connection between body and story. It’s this philosophy that makes him one of the most compelling ballet figures of his generation: onstage, onscreen, and now in fashion.
Model: Matteo Miccini @matteomiccini.
Photographer: Julian Freyberg @julianfreybergphotography.
Fashion: Apropos Concept Store @apropos_store.
Assistant: Paolo F. Moeller @paolo_francescoo.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
