Fashion Italian Style

Italian fashion--which encompasses designers and companies from Armani to Zegna--has become a dominant force in the fashion world. This stunning book discusses the rise of Italian fashion since 1945, the development of the Italian Look from the late 1970s to the present, and the many great designers who have contributed to Italy's fashion triumphs. Valerie Steele describes how Florence, Rome, and later Milan all became important fashion centers and how other Italian cities play specific roles within the country's fashion system. She explains the tradition of "classic" men's tailoring, the importance of accessories, the special connection between textile production and fashion, and the reasons why different regions of Italy specialize in different fabrics or goods. And she analyzes the integration of the various sectors of the fashion industry, a uniquely Italian model quite different from those found in France, Britain, and the United States. Written in Steele's lively style and lavishly illustrated with photographs of fashion ensembles, runway shots, advertising images, and more, this book is the first to celebrate Italian fashion in its many guises.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-131).

and#8220;Made in Italyand#8221; is an internationally recognized mark of style. From the 1940s to the present day, Italyand#8217;s fashion achievementsand#8212;haute couture design and innovative ready-to-wear, artisanal leather and fur production, high-end textiles, knitwear, and fine tailoringand#8212;are undeniable. Featuring designers and labels of the highest caliber alongside bespoke tailors and ready-to-wear menswear specialists, this book offers an unparalleled look at the inspiration, marketing, skill, and craftsmanship behind the finest Italian labels. Specially commissioned essays are paired with stunning fashion photography, archival material, and previously unseen objects from private collections to illuminate the secrets of Italyand#8217;s la bella moda.

Sonnet Stanfill is a curator of 20th-century and contemporary fashion at the VandA. She curated a number of exhibitions over the last decade and has edited the accompanying publications.