Matteo Pugliese was born in Milan in 1969. In 1978 his family moved to Sardinia and lived there for the next 12 years. During this time he developed a strong love for drawing and sculpture and practiced without formal education. After finishing his secondary school studies in classics in Cagliari, he returned to Milan to attend university. In 1995 he was awarded his degree in modern literature at the University of Milan with a graduation thesis on art criticism.

Kyle Walker of AC Milan sprays water from his mouth prior to the start of the second half of the Coppa Italia match at Giuseppe Meazza, Milan on February 5, 2025. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Sportimage/Alamy Live News)

Models seen backstage ahead of the Philosphy Di Lorenzo Serafini show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2017/18 on February 25, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

A model presents a creation at the Moschino fashion show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2017 in Milan, Italy, September 22, 2016. (Photo by Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters)

A Dandy Dinnmont Terrier is displayed at the World Dog Show in Rho, near Milan, Italy, Saturday, June 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Lara Stone at Mark's Club on October 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Milan/GC Images)

Guests are seen at the end of the Etro Spring/Summer 2021 Men's collection and Women's pre-collection livestreamed show at the Four Seasons hotel, amid the coronavirus outbreak, during Milan Digital Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, July 15, 2020. (Photo by Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters)

Former top models Carla Bruni (L), Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen display iconic creations of late Italian designer Gianni Versace's during the Versace Spring/Summer 2018 show at the Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, September 22, 2017. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)