The Glamour of Italian Fashion
The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014 will be the first major exhibition to examine Italy’s rich and influential contribution to fashion from the end of the Second World War to the present.
The exhibition highlights the defining factors that are unique to the Italian industry such as the use of luxurious materials, expert textile production, specialist regional manufacturing, and its strength as a source of both dynamic menswear and glamorous womenswear.
The story of Italian fashion will be explored through the pivotal individuals and organisations that have contributed to its reputation for quality and style, within the prevailing social and political context. Over 100 ensembles and accessories by leading Italian fashion houses including Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Gianfranco Ferré, Gucci, Missoni, Prada, Pucci and Versace will be on display. The exhibition also draws a dialogue between these long established houses and the next generation of talent including couture by Giambattista Valli, bold ready to wear from Fausto Puglisi and work from Valentino’s design-duo Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli.
Not limited to seasonal collections and garments, a selection of Hollywood films that impacted the industry and were shot on location during the 1950s and 1960s are also referenced. During this period, stars like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor became style ambassadors for Italian fashion, fuelling a keen international appetite for luxurious clothing made in Italy.
The growth of the Italian fashion industry today can also be linked to the strength of its traditional processes including spinning, dyeing, weaving, cutting and stitching. Many of these traditions have been practised in regions around Italy for hundreds of years and are acknowledged throughout the exhibition.
The Glamour of Italian Fashion takes place at the V&A Museum, London from Saturday 5 April until Sunday 27 July 2014.
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