Made in Italy: Fabulous Fashion and the Culture of Style

 

Ciao, Amici –

Fashion does not arise in a cultural vacuum.

Far from erupting spontaneously amid the ruins of post World War II Italy, Italian fashion was created for the Italian upper classes and, equally as important, for the American movie stars who became ambassadors for Italian style. It was also the fruit of a collaboration with a rising textile industry, one rebuilt in part with infusion of cash from America’s Marshall Plan.

This lecture explores this remarkable period of creativity in Italy that gave rise to Italian high fashion (alta moda) and was notable for extraordinary contributions in art, architecture, cinema, theater and photography.It traces the development of Italian high fashion and examines the crucial role Italy played in its international success. It touches on the fluid relationship of fashion design with art, architecture, filmmaking and theater, and explores the roles that Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice played in the production and staging of fashion during this extraordinarily creative and productive time.

It was also the period when Italy turned away from France as a source of inspiration and began looking inward. What set apart Italian creations from the more showily contrived French couture of the day, and what renders them fresh even now, was a deliberately un-fussy cut and emphatically functional approach to design.

“This moment in history laid the foundation for Italy’s future ready-to-wear by tracing its beginnings within the social and cultural context. The Italian high fashion of that time was grounded in a strong sense of reality: They were luxury creations, but nonetheless practical; precious, embroidered textiles that had a certain simplicity; short cocktail dresses that allowed for movement; and warm, roomy coats accompanied by over-sized handbags. This awareness of reality created an opportunity for a fashion system that truly served its patrons, with garments designed for the life of the modern woman.” (Stefano Tonchi, Editor-in-Chief of W magazine)

The lecture, Made in Italy: Fabulous Fashion and the Culture of Style, will be delivered by Fashion Historian Eugenia Paulicelli, Professor and Director of Fashion Studies, Italian Studies & Comparative Literature, Queens College & The Graduate Center, City University of New York.

And here the details:

Saturday, November 5, 2016

12 Noon Luncheon followed by Professor Paulicelli’s Lecture

 La Cumbre Country Club

4015 Via Laguna, Santa Barbara

 Cost: $45

Reservations are required and the payment must accompany your reservation.

Deadline to reserve is Tuesday, November 1st, 2016

To reserve and pay by CHECK: please click on this  LINK for a downloadable and printable RSVP form.

To reserve and pay by CREDIT CARD: click on the yellow button and then then follow directions.