Niche and up-and-coming brands
are winning against well-established fashion houses as the
favored choice of performers at the 66th edition of the Sanremo
Music Festival running through Saturday.
The majority of outfits so far paraded on the stage of
Sanremo's Ariston theater were designed by rising fashion names
who are getting an audience at the musical competition, which is
keeping thousands of Italians glued to their television screens.
Nevertheless, hosts and guest stars have opted for big
brand names.
Nicole Kidman, the guest star of the second night, appeared
at the top of the theater's stairs - so intimidated by the high
steps she asked host Carlo Conti to help her make an entrance -
in a long and refined black velvet gown with a plunging back and
a tail designed by Giorgio Armani.
Actress Kasia Smutniak wore a black Prada number on the
opening night on Tuesday while her colleague Anna Foglietta
opted for a black gown by Costume National.
Carlo Conti, who is hosting the event for the second
consecutive year, has donned tuxedos in midnight blue or black
designed by Salvatore Ferragamo.
Romanian actress and model Madalina Ghenea, a co-host, paid
homage to leading labels with a refined number by Alberta
Ferretti on the opening night, followed by Vionnet, Lebanon's
Zuhair Murad and then Bucarest-based designer Cristina
Savulescu.
Another co-host, Gabriel Garko, has been donning suits by
Battistoni, a Rome-based tailor that
designed five looks inspired by movie icons Paul Newman,
Marcello Mastroianni, Cary Grant, Marlon Brando and Sea Connery
as James Bond.
Italian pop singer Eros Ramazzotti opted for Neil Barrett.
Another singer, Francesca Michelin, performed in a dungaree
dress with a large fish embroidered with Swarovski crystals on
the skirt by Au Jour LE Jour.
She also wore high-heeled silver sandals over socks.
The refined Patty Pravo performed in an embroidered tunic
with metallic arabesques by Gianluca Saitto.
Arisa opted for a short dress in light silver lurex by
Annapurna.
The simple cut and light color of the outfit seemed to
clash with her short bright red hair.
Noemi picked Bianca Gervasio, who sought inspiration in the
1970s and the world of blues with icons like Bianca Jagger,
Janis Joplin and Francoise Hardy.
The unique outfits had clean lines, geographic patterns and
plunging necklines with golden details - two high-impact gowns
and two suits with wide-legged pants.
Christian Pellizzari was chosen by Alessio Bernabei while
Mario Dice dressed Annalisa.
Manuel Ritz styled the duo from the Zero Assoluto band
while Francesco Paolo Salerno dressed Deborah Iurato.
Rocco Hunt went for the Octopus Brand, Elio e le Storie
Tese chose Etro.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
