A thirty-year period of Italian
fashion is going on display at Milan's Palazzo Reale in the
exhibition titled "Italiana: Italy Seen Through Fashion
1971-2001".
During this particular period, Italian fashion had a creative
peak and Italian style made a huge impact worldwide.
The exhibition highlights the birth of ready-to-wear fashion,
which coincided with the women's liberation movement in the
1970s, and continues through to the start of the new millennium,
which saw Italian fashion explode into a global phenomenon.
Curated by Maria Luisa Frisa and Stefano Tonchi, the show is
also a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the National
Chamber of Italian Fashion.
The show unfolds across nine different rooms and is presented
in thematic rather than chronological order, with dresses,
accessories and photographs in a dialogue with the works of
contemporary artists such as Michelangelo Pistoletto, Maurizio
Cattelan and Vanessa Beecroft.
Curator Stefano Tonchi said that 1971 was the year when
Walter Albini became the first Italian fashion designer to hold
a runway show in Milan for his "unified collection".
"The year 2001 makes us think of the Twin Towers, but also of
change, because fashion is a global phenomenon and brands become
the property of large foreign luxury companies," Tonchi said.
"But Italian fashion is good at adapting to change," he said.
Carlo Capasa, president of the National Chamber of Italian
Fashion, said the show highlights an important moment in Italian
fashion history with the birth of ready-to-wear.
"We created it, and in so doing, we produced fashion for
everyone, bringing together creativity, craftsmanship and
industry in a one-of-a-kind system worldwide," he said.
Each room has a theme, starting with "Identity", which
highlights Italian ready-to-wear and includes a 1971 photograph
by Oliviero Toscani for L'Uomo Vogue in its Unilook feature.
Creations on display include works by designers such as
Armani, Gucci, Tom Ford, Gianni Versace, Max Mara, Roberto
Cavalli, Krizia, and Ferrè, among others.
The exhibition is sponsored by the City of Milan and the
Chamber of Fashion with the support of the Italian Industry
Ministry, and runs through May 6.
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