Unprecedented Italian Glamor in Tbilisi
This is not a PR article but there are events that should not be missed for any reason. ‘Sixty Years of Italian Fashion History/60 years of Made in Italy,’ represented at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) from November 14, is one of them.
The Italian Ambassador Antonio Enrico Bartoli opened the event, highlighting the genius of Italy, expressed in the precious fabrics created by various great fashion names for top models and movie stars throughout the past 60 years.
“‘60 years of Made in Italy’ pays tribute to the genius of those who were able, over time, to impose their aesthetics and to determine the success of the unmistakable ‘Italian Style’ worldwide,” the Ambassador said.
“We hope this splendid show will become an inspiration for Georgian fashion designers,” added Mikheil Giorgadze, Georgian Minister of Culture.
The Beginnings
In 1951, the Marquis Giovani Battista Giorgini, a “resident buyer” for large American department stores, was living with his family in Florence: Florence, with its famous and beautiful works of art, its society pages brimming with parties thrown by Florentine nobility, beautiful villas and magnificent gardens hosting cultural and social events attended by world-famous personalities in the field of art and culture, influential international politicians, film stars, and powerful business magnates.
The tradition of first-rate tailoring, which had existed in Italy since the late 19th century, was carried on by recognized dressmakers, many of whom, such as Biki (the favourite fashion designer of soprano Maria Callas) or Simonetta Visconti, a personal friend of Giorgini, were members of Milan and Rome high-society. The Marquis accompanied to the tailor shops rich foreign ladies who were unable to resist the temptation of buying something Italian. To help, he recruited the most prestigious names in Italian haute couture, aiming to promote them on the international market.
On February 12, 1951, he gathered in his wonderful Villa the first group of “brands” soon to become famous in the world: Carosa (Princess Giovanna Caracciolo), Fabiani, Simonetta Visconti, Emilio Schuberth, Sorelle Fontana, and more.
Today, Italian fashion is everywhere synonymous with good taste, elegance and quality. Despite the huge growth of this industry, creativity and craftsmanship, the main ingredients of “Made in Italy” remain.
Protagonists of the Italian Style in Tbilisi
At MOMA, each item comes from the fashion houses’ archives as well as from private collections, like the heavy satin evening dress by Schuberth, photographed in the 1950 Fashion Encyclopaedia.
Some creations represent a time when Italian fashion first became a hit with Hollywood movie stars, like the “Priest” dress, by Sorelle Fontana, first worn by Ava Gardner (1956) in Fellini’s film ‘La Dolce Vita’ (1960). The famous trend-setting “Palazzo Pyjamas” created by Irene Galitzine (a princess of Georgian origin and fashion designer in Italy) and worn by Claudia Cardinale in ‘The Pink Panther’ (1963) and precious corset-dress designed by Luciano Soprani for Jacqueline Bisset in ‘The Wild Orchid.’
The exhibition also features stunning “red-carpet” gowns worn at special premieres or for Oscar night, like the tulle, sequin and gold-embroidered Prada dress worn by actress Cate Blanchett (2000) and the chiffon Prada dress designed for Milla Jovovich for the Los Angeles première of her film, ‘Joan of Arc’ (1999). And one cannot forget the unique Valentino “red” creations, like the dress worn by actress Elizabeth Hurley at the Estee Lauder charity ball (1998).
Tailoring is represented by Marcello Mastroianni’s dark suit designed by Litrico (1961) and dinner jacket designed by Brioni for Pierce Brosnan, alias “007-James Bond” in the movie ‘Die another Day’ (2002).
Visitors can admire a spectacular Fendi leopard coat (1970), one of Sophia Loren’s favorites, and Gianni Versace’s passion for luxury and pomposity, well represented by a Swarovski fabric dress enhanced by top model Naomi Campbell at the Leopolda Station in Florence (1998).
There is more…so much more. But you’d do better to go and see for yourself rather than read about it here- it will prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I promise!
The fascinating fashion adventure is on at MOMA until January.
Maka Lomadze