Italian Fashion Empire

If you have been following my blog for October, it is obvious that I gave special attention to Italian fashion designers. Actually there are a lot more of them that I should have included but perhaps I will work on that next time. It was really great to study and write something about the fashion houses of Italy. I get to learn how these designers started their businesses and how they made it flourish and thrive for so many, many years and the drama behind it all (at least for one fashion house).

To sum it up I would say that Italian fashion stands out by itself, it is different from the French, Japanese or American style. In my own opinion Italian fashion is reserved and stylish, it can be severe but it still retains its own appeal, it is an original and I believe only a true Italian designer would be able to grasp it.

The Italians have long been stylish and fashionable. Since ancient Roman times the use of opulent garments and accessories was part of their life. Check out the illustrations and sculpture of Roman art and read the history of Rome's everyday life and you will learn that Romans can be very particular with their clothing, jewelry, hairstyle and even the garish makeup and hairpieces they wear. During the Renaissance, the men and women of Italy were as elegant and stylish as they were during the Roman times. Though this time the materials they used for clothing were much better, silk, satin and dyed fabrics. Accessories galore and imported fashionable goods were in vogue that time as it is now.

Fast forward the 21st century and there is no way of stopping Italy as one of the world's fashion capitals. Italian fashion designers as competitive as ever. Great tailoring and romantic style truly belong to the Italians. Unlike the fall of the Roman Empire, the Italian fashion empire will keep rising and will forever hold its spot in the world of style. Oh what a dolce vita!

Valentino

Just like the title of the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor I must agree that Valentino Garavani is truly the Emperor of Italian High Fashion and international trends. As I mentioned in my Giorgio Armani blog the two top Italian designers in my list are Giorgio and Valentino with Valentino being number one. His design and style throughout his four decades and a half in fashion is all about class, romanticism, elegance. His creations are so classic that one can wear them over the years and still be in fashion. As an observer of couture I always check the material and the way the clothes hangs and falls on the body, how the fabric moves and if the design can withstand the test of time and short-lived trends, and indeed Valentino's creations passed all of these things in flying colors. I can go on and on praising his talent and designs and I know it would be endless.

Chiuri & Piccioli Collection for Valentino S/S 2010

Valentino Garavani was born 1932 north of Milan. At an early age he knew that he would like to be a fashion designer. With the encouragement of his parents he went to Paris at 17 to study fashion design. In Paris he apprenticed with Jacques Fath, Balenciaga and at Jean Desses where he learned a lot of things from fashion sketching to assisting clients. It was also great that he apprenticed at one of Paris' great designer Guy Laroche. It was late 1950's when he went back to Rome to establish his own fashion house simply called Valentino. It was in the early 1960's when he met his life partner and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. Their business partnership and bond as life partners made his clothing business stronger. His international haute-couture show in 1962 in Florence catapulted Valentino to fame and fortune. His brand became a worldwide name and royalties, celebrities and influential women all over the world became his faithful clients. The rest is history!

The 1970's saw his fashion house designing ready-to-wear clothing for men and women, plus accessories, jeans, perfume and decor line. 1989 his boutique store chains opened in the key cities of the United States and Japan. It was at the same year the Accademia Valentino was opened, which serves as a cultural space for art exhibits. In 1990 together with partner Giammetti and friend Elizabeth Taylor, they founded the L.I.F.E. association for the support of AIDS related patients. The activities at Accademia Valentino benefits this cause.

Chiuri & Piccioli Collection for Valentino S/S 2010

Throughout his career as fashion designer he received numerous accolades and awards. And in 2008 the grand designer of fashion retired. He made his last haute couture presentation in Paris, January 2008 and his last women's ready-to-wear show in Paris on October 2007. The House of Valentino's designs and creations are presently run by creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. Valentino Garavani's line are Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Valentino Roma and R.E.D. Valentino. His famous creations were the Valentino Red dresses and the all-white Valentino dresses which will always remain a classic.



Photo Credit: Valentino's Farewell Haute-Couture S/S 2008 Paris
Photo Courtesy: AP Photo/Jacques Brinon
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14510800@N05/2215358818/

Photo Credit: Valentino Spring 2010 Couture
Photo Courtesy: catwalking.com/WireImagePhoto Link: http://www.zimbio.com/Pier+Paolo+Piccioli/articles/A_qpMNM8LEz/Valentino+Spring+2010+Haute+Couture

House of Gucci

Gucci is one of the biggest fashion brands. I was never a big fan of the brand though every now and then I see great styles from the house. I would say it was the time when American designer Tom Ford was at the helm of design at Gucci was when I really liked the clothes.

Anyway I will not write much about the very long history of Gucci. This fashion house is known to have a lot of in-house intrigue, volatile personalities, perhaps greed regarding inheritance, stock holdings and company management. The brand Gucci was established in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence and was known for its leather goods especially its handbags. After the death of Guccio his sons managed the company. His son Aldo Gucci was responsible for setting up the first Gucci boutique in New York. The company expanded in the late 1960's opening stores in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Unfortunately in the late 1970's the business was on the verge of bankruptcy, part of it was the in-fighting between the Gucci brothers Aldo and Rodolfo which was mostly about the shares of the company. During the 1980's the brand's exclusivity was gone because of cheap "Gucci" knock-offs that were available all over the world at really cheap or "expensive" prices. Too many things too detail the ascent of the brand back to where it should belong. So I will just fast forward in the late 90's. That was the time when Tom Ford became the brand's chief designer and things started to get better. The House of Gucci is now owned by Pinault-Printemps Redoute. The Creative Director is Frida Gianinni.

The company's benevolent act is their partnership with the UNICEF donating percentage of sales from Gucci stores worlwide for the UN's Children's Fund. The company's annual campaign to benefit the UNICEF supports education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Gucci products include clothing, watches, jewelry, shoes and leather goods.

Photo Credit: Gucci Women's F/W 2010-2011 Milan
Photo Courtesy: The Photo Agency
Photo Link: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/zkmWrFht5ZW/Milan+Fashion+Week+Gucci+Fashion+Show

Giorgio Armani

Two of my favorite Italian fashion designers are Valentino and Armani. Giorgio Armani is one of the world's fashion designers who would be in the top five of my list. His lines are always clean, the details and materials he uses are just perfection. What draws me to Armani is his tailoring and the choice of fabrics he uses. Watch an Armani women's wear fashion show and you will observe how the cut of the clothes and the flow and movement of the fabric complements the model as she walks the runway and observe his men's wear and you will notice how the tailoring and choice of fabric shows utmost impeccability. I also like his designs because if you have a very keen eye on each designer's style you will know that Armani is very consistent and faithful with his designs, the styles may be altered a little bit from season to season but the Armani personal taste is well-stamped to all of his creations. In short it is easy to spot an Armani amongst other couture clothes.

Born in Piacenza in 1934 the young Armani left the university studying medicine and worked as buyer for a Milanese department store. As luck would have it he was hired as assistant designer for men's wear under the great Nino Cerutti. With encouragement from his longtime partner Sergio Galeotti, Armani left Cerutti and started as freelance designer, that was 1970 and by 1975 Armani and Galeotti launched their own company creating men's and women's wear ready-to-wear. The 1980's saw the Armani brand conquer Hollywood and its A-list celebrities and in 1982 he was the coverman for Time Magazine since Christian Dior. He also won and received a number of awards and titles not only for fashion but also an award from the Italian Government and title as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2002.

The Armani brand includes Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, Giorgio Armani Occhiali plus lines of swimwear, fragrances, skiwear and underwear and the list goes on. Giorgio Armani really contributed so much to fashion and good causes around the world. Not only is he a man that designs for each season, he is also a man for all seasons.










Photo Credit: Giorgio Armani Men's S/S 2010
Photo Source: krasfashion
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/krasfashion/

Bottega Veneta

The Bottega Veneta creations are styles that grow on you, well that's as far as I am concerned (I was never familiar with this brand until the late 90's). The more you look at the designs of the clothes, the palette, material and construction the more it draws you in. The clothes has an air of sophistication and functionality and that is what I like about Bottega Veneta. Though aside from its clothing line the brand is much known for its leather accessories, the Bottega Veneta handbags.

The brand was founded by Vittorio and Laura Moltedo in 1966 in Vincenza. The company manufactured leather goods in the traditions of master leather craftsmen of the Veneto. The brand was well known for their intrecciato leather style, it is simply the interwoven pattern of leather style that is very famous in their handbags. The 1970's and 80's were the decades when the brand reached its height of success around the world. Their no-logo on handbags was a hit. But the company gave in to the early 90's trend when they splashed logos all over their product. It did hurt the image of the brand and eventually the Bottega Veneta name spiralled to bankruptcy. Thanks to the Gucci Group who acquired the company in 2001. The acquisition certainly turned things around for the dying brand. The company hired Tomas Maier as Creative Director of the company. Maier was trained at the respected French fashion institution Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and has nine years of experience under his belt at the House of Hermes. It was a great move for the company.

With the acquisition, Bottega Veneta soared once again...now stronger than ever. The ready-to-wear line for men and women, the jewelry line and furniture collection were launched in the 21st century. Meanwhile the company's staple product - its handbags just got better. The handbags were done exquisitely, they are embroidered, appliques of leather, metal and tortoiseshell-like materials were used and their famous interwoven leather patterns retained its appeal. Their Super Spiga and Souriseau shoes remain best sellers. It just proves that excellent merchandise will never die.

Photo Credit: Bottega Veneta Resort Wear 2011
Photo Courtesy: Bottega Veneta Images
Photo Source: New York Magazine Online
Photo Link:
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/resort/main/newyork/womenrunway/bottegaveneta/

House of Fendi

If it's Fur it must be Fendi!!! The name has been and will always be synonymous with high quality fur fashions. It all started way back in 1918 when fur and leather goods seller Adele Casagrande opened her small shop in Rome. Married to Edoardo Fendi in 1925 she adopted her husband's surname as the brand name of her store and merchandise. As the business became successful the couple opened their second shop in Rome in 1938. By this time Fendi furs were becoming very popular and its list of rich and private clientele just keeps on growing.

In the mid 1950's after the passing of her husband, Adele's five daughters helped in the family's ever-growing business. Paola handled the design and furs, Anna the leather goods, Franca the customer relations, Carla the business coordination, and Alda headed up the sales department. The team of the Fendi sisters and the acumen of their mother slowly but surely catapulted the brand into the international scene as Fendi slowly inched its way to haute couture level. As things would have it, 1965 saw Karl Lagerfeld joining the Fendi company, he re-designed its logo showing the inverted double F. Lagerfeld and the Fendis innovated and improvised fur - its treatment, tanning and dyeing, producing lighter and softer furs, experimented on hides and made lighter and fitted coats for women. The company also concentrated on making their leather and luxury accessories, a merchandise to contend with.

The House of Fendi also branched out on women's wear as they would like the Fendi woman to be wearing a matching Fendi dress underneath her Fendi fur, I would say this is a clever move. Today the House of Fendi is one of the most famous and respected high-fashion brand around the world. The head of the house is Maria Silvia Venturini Fendi, daughter of Anna Fendi and grandaughter of Adele and the chief designer is German designer Karl Lagerfeld. Labels: Fendi, Fendissime, Fendi Casa and fragrance lines for men and women. If it's Fashion it must be Fendi!!!

Photo Credit: Fendi Womenswear Milan
Photo Courtesy: Human Design
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/todays_creative_design/

Roberto Cavalli

Cavalli designs in my opinion is the epitome of decadence. I like how his creations present the feel of luxury and extravagance in an edgy urban way. I really cannot exactly put my finger why I am saying this but that is how most of his creations register in my style I.Q. I do not think hardcore fashionistas will agree with me but hey that's what I feel about Cavalli. Yes I like his designs and in fact sometimes I forget that he is European, sometimes I think Cavalli is a young American designer with a whole lot of European edge to him. But at the end of the day, Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli is still one of the major designer/trendsetter to contend with in the international fashion scene.

Roberto Cavalli was born in Florence in 1940, and just like Versace and Biagiotti the young Roberto was the son of a tailor. At an early age he was exposed to fashion and sewing. His artistic side he definitely inherited from his impressionist painter grandfather Guiseppe Rossi. Cavalli's artistic skills as a painter are applied on his fabric designs. He is known to print on lightweight leather and he was great at patchwork.

Though he was in the fashion business since the early 1970's it was only in 1994 that Roberto Cavalli showed the world that he is one designer to be reckoned with. His first official collection wowed the press and the fashion set and the jet set. His creations were dubbed as sexy and extravagant and he is one of those designers that brought back the allure of the woman. He is running his fashion house with wife Eva Duringer. Roberto Cavalli designs for men, women, kids, underwear, casuals and home accessories. Labels: Roberto Cavalli Couture, Just Cavalli and Roberto Cavalli Class.

Photo Credit: Roberto Cavalli Couture 2010
Photo Source: Colombia Travel
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/colombia_travel/

Photo Credit: Roberto Cavalli Men
Photo Source: Krasfashion

Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/krasfashion/

Laura Biagiotti

Laura Biagiotti is one of Italy's most successful female fashion designer. Her brand has been dressing women and men for four decades and now that her daughter Lavinia is at the helm of the company helping her mother run the multi-million dollar business, things will just get super. I never paid much attention to the design and style of Biagiotti though I have seen her designs and heard of her since the mid 80's.

Like Gianni Versace, Laura learned the business of making clothes from her mother Delia who was a dressmaker. In 1965 she and the famous designer Angelo Tarlazzi started their own ready-to-wear women's line. But it was in 1972 when she started working for a cashmere company that her own style and creativity developed to what she is known today. Her soft tailoring and losse fitting dresses and her wearable coordinates made the Laura Biagiotti brand famous around the world. She would always stick to designs that are modern, wearable, practical and comfortable.

In 1987 she launched Biagiotti Uomo - the line for men, followed by Laura-Piu for the plus size woman and Laura Biagiotti Jr. for children. Her accessories line include the famous Biagiotti sunglasses and fragrance line: Fiori Bianchi, Night, Roma, Venezia and Biagiotti Due, jewelry and watches, and lingerie line. In 1996 her daughter Lavinia Biagiotti took over the creative responsibilities of the company. She launched Laura Biagiotti Roma line in 2001 for the modern woman and in 2003 both mother and daughter launched Laura Biagiotti Dolls for girls. In 2007 Lavinia was awarded as Italy's Best Young Fashion Entrepreneur. The fashion house of Laura Biagiotti never had it so good.

Photo Credit: Laura Biagiotti S/S 2010
Photographer: Unknown
Sourse and Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/d42d/

Versace

Gianni Versace (1946-1997) is one of the greatest Italian fashion designers. His style and creations inspired me in my college thesis when I presented a mini fashion show for my finals. I believe that Gianni Versace was ahead of his time. I really like how he uses leather and luxe fabrics, his colors and patterns and the beadings are just cool and extravagant.

Born in Reggio Calabria, he learned about tailoring at an early age from his mother who is a tailor/dressmaker. In 1972 he went to Milan to do freelance work for major Italian labels Complice, Callaghan and Genny. In 1978 he presented his first women's and men's collection and within the same year his first boutique opened. From then on the Versace brand became one of the major name in fashion whose clients include A-list celebrities and the rich jet-set.

His tragic death in 1997 did not stop the House of Versace to progress. His younger sister Donatella Versace took the reins of the company as its creative director and vice-president and continued the legacy of her brother. The Versace style is all about allure and power dressing. The fashion house designs for men and women's wear. Labels: Atelier Versace and Versus. Today the Versace Group even expanded into the hotel business which includes Palazzo Versace luxury hotels.

Photo Credit: Versace Collection window display, NYC 2010
Photographer: Viridia
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=versace&w=26154094%40N03

PRADA

Prada is Miuccia Prada the savvy designer and smart businesswoman who happens to be the granddaughter of Mario Prada. Mario Prada is the original founder of the Prada label when its sole business was designing and selling handbags, suitcases, trunks and shoes in Milan and that was in 1913. The company was known to design exquisite leather accessories and waterproof handbags.

Fast forward in the late 1970's when the Prada label was struggling as a leather accessories company against fashion giants like Gucci when granddaughter Miuccia Prada came along and "rocked" its image and marketing strategy turning the company into one of the world's major fashion accessories and clothing brand! With her husband Patrizio Bertelli as the business manager and herself the designer of the company.

By 1989 Prada hit the ready-to-wear market and in the 1990's and into the present the brand reached its height as a strong competitor in the world of high fashion. Prada also carry the Miu Miu line for the younger set, the Prada menswear and of course there will always be the Prada leather accessories from belts, shoes, handbags and luggages.










Photo Credit: Prada Men's RTW Spring Collection 2011
Photo by: Imaxtree
Source: New York Magazine online
Photo Link:
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/europe/menrunway/prada/#slide7&ss1
Photo Credit: Prada Women's RTW Spring Collection 2011
Photo by: Imaxtree
Source: New York Magazine online

Photo Link: http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2011/spring/main/europe/womenrunway/prada/#slide11&ss1

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Sexy, sexy, sexy!!! That is one thing I could say about Alessandro Dell'Acqua's designs. His creations always flatter the woman's body and exudes strong femininity. In my opinion he is one of today's designers who adhere to simplicity. I like the way the cut of the clothes are executed and the very soft materials he uses, they are indeed lovely. Honestly, I do not pay much attention to his designs until recently. As I was observing his designs I tend to like them more and more. Simple, sexy and functional.

Allesandro was born in Naples in 1962 and began his career in 1982. He once worked with fashion designer Genny alongside Versace. He bacame the lead designer for the Italian knitwear company Pietro Pianforini. But it was in 1992 when Dell'Acqua presented his first collection at Moda Donna that catapulted his fashion career as a future major designer in the years to come. He is known for using the skin color and black palette for his creations and would always have clothes showing the skin - as in transparent or sheer fabrics. His materials are often chiffon, lace or tulle.

With much success his line also launched menswear, shoes, eyewear and perfume for men and women. He designed lingerie for La Perla and shoes for Bally. Today Alessandro Dell'Acqua is a major name in the international fashion market and there is no stopping this brilliant Italian artist and fashion innovator.

Photo Credit: Allesandro Dell'Acqua Image Ad
Photo Courtesy: Sara Eudy
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobratastic/

Dolce & Gabbana

I admire the designs of D&G. Unfortunately NOW that they are a huge fashion name their designs are so much copied, a faux Dolce & Gabbana everywhere and it seems everyone is wearing their "creation." Not to mention the fact that a lot of gangsta rap artists are always rapping the brand name over and over and over in their songs and people who do not even know anything about fashion are just name dropping the brand name like they sell the line in K-Mart. I guess that is part of what you have pay for when you become famous at least in the world of fashion.

Obviously the designers themselves are the genius behind the Dolce & Gabbana label. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's designs can be described as eclectic, classic, sometimes rebellious, adventurous, colorful, etc. and a lot more great adjectives. Year 1982 when both designers teamed-up to bring great fashion inspired from Sicilian roots. In 1985 they achieved much recognition when they presented their collection in Milan for new talent category. In 1998 they signed with Onward Kashiyama Group for the distribution of their brand in Japan. The men's line began in 1990 and their perfume was launched in 1992. The rest is history and global success for the brand.

The fashion of Dolce & Gabbana is always exciting every season. The selection of material is on point and the clothes are always wearable. There is no stopping the fashion duo and glad that they are here to stay for the longest haul!!!

Photo Credit: Dolce & Gabbana Men's S/S 2010 Milan
Photographer: Unknown
Photo Courtesy: The Photo Agency
Photo Link:
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/qDXIqaAeDzz/Milan+Fashion+Week+Dolce+Gabbana+Spring+Summer/_mmp3WauwDL

Gianfranco Ferre

I consider the Ferre design wearable and fashionable. Gianfranco Ferre (1944-2007) collections has always been the epitome of beauty in its simplicity. I like the clean architectural cut and construction of the clothes and the selection of materials or fabric that he uses. When he was still the head designer of his fashion house, I should say that I admired him because he did not get swayed by fancy trends or styles that deliver a shocking value and then be forgotten in just over a season. That is what's great about Gianfranco - classic yet contemporary style.

Born on August 15, 1944 in Legnano, the designer began his career as a designer in 1970. In 1974, he started his Baila label and later in 1978 he launched his women's ready-to-wear and sporty line. Year 1982 the Ferre men's line was born and the women's perfume and men's fragrance were both launched in the mid 80's. The House of Gianfranco Ferre catapulted to greater heights of success. He was also hired by the LVMH group as Creative Director of Christian Dior as its creative director from 1989 to 1997.

In 2002 his company became part of IT Holding and he remained the brand's creative director until his early demise in 2007 at age 62. Today the Ferre women's line is managed by Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi whose style retains the classic simplicity of Gianfranco Ferre.

Photo Credit: Aquilano and Rimondi for Gianfranco Ferre Collections 2009 Milan
Photographer: Unknown
Photo Courtesy: Photo Agency
Photo Link: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/oVVgAmdbkYd/Gianfranco+Ferre+Show+Milan+Fashion+Week/4CadF4I7-pu

House of Missoni



Missoni Collection F/W 2010

As a teenager I would always stare and marvel at the beautiful artworks of Missoni campaign ads in fashion magazines. At that time I would imagine that I would be an illustrator for this fashion brand (which of course did not happen). In fact, I would try to draw the fashion ads my own style. Now as an adult, I still observe the new collections that Missoni would present each season. The cool part about its designs are the use of colors and beautiful patterns.

The brand was born through the union of Ottavio Missoni and his wife Rosita in the early 50's. The Missonis started their knitwear business in the basement of their home utilizing a few old knitting machines. First selling their designs to other labels and then later starting to establish their own fashion house in 1953.

It was in 1969 when fashion doyenne and Vogue editor Diana Vreeland noticed the style of the Missoni patterns and colors and introduced the Italian knitwear label to the United States and to the world and the rest is fashion history for the House of Missoni. The Missoni creations garnered a lot of awards in fashion design from around the world by its distinctive style that influenced fabric and fashion design.

Today the thriving business is still owned and run by Ottavio and Rosita Missoni and their children Angela (women's wear), Vittorio (marketing director) and Luca (menswear and sportswear and technology). The fashion house turned 50 years old in 2003 and launched its Missoni Profumi scent in 2006 by grandaughter Margherita.

Missoni brand is truly amazing, always new and forever evolving.

Photo Credit: Missoni Women's Wear Collection F/W 2010
Photographer: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images Europe
Photo Links:
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/9RW0ToxQeQ/Missoni+Milan+Fashion+Week+Womenswear+W+2010/02hCn2_Knpg
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/9RW0ToxQeQ/Missoni+Milan+Fashion+Week+Womenswear+W+2010/18BVj_lTGTp