 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
By Qianna Smith
POSTED June 28, 2011
 |
Peroni Nastro Azzurro & Colin McDowell Present...
Masters of Style: Celebrating the Stories behind Italian Fashion
Masters of Style: Celebrating the Stories behind Italian Fashion
Giorgio Armani
Spring/Summer 2010
Shot by Josh Olins
Spring/Summer 2010
Shot by Josh Olins
Gucci
Spring/Summer 1991
Spring/Summer 1991
When it comes to wearing luxury
brands, it only takes three little
words on a label to ignite the
imagination and inspire, and they
are: Made in Italy. This year, Italy
celebrates 150 years as a unified
nation and, in recognition of this
landmark anniversary, Peroni
Nastro Azzurro has collaborated
with six globally renowned Italian
fashion houses - Giorgio Armani,
Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore
Ferragamo, Gucci, Missoni and
Prada - to present a unique
photographic exhibition, ‘Masters
of Style: Celebrating the stories
behind Italian fashion’. One of the
world's leading fashion
commentators, Colin McDowell,
curates the exhibition that brings
together for the very first time these
six fashion houses to the
Somerset House, London. Just
days before the 'Masters of Style'
opens to the public (July 1 - August
14), McDowell discusses with Q+A
his excitement about the exhibition,
what it stands for in terms of
craftsmanship, and how Italian
designers are influencing global
trends with their rich heritage and
forward approach to personal style.
brands, it only takes three little
words on a label to ignite the
imagination and inspire, and they
are: Made in Italy. This year, Italy
celebrates 150 years as a unified
nation and, in recognition of this
landmark anniversary, Peroni
Nastro Azzurro has collaborated
with six globally renowned Italian
fashion houses - Giorgio Armani,
Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore
Ferragamo, Gucci, Missoni and
Prada - to present a unique
photographic exhibition, ‘Masters
of Style: Celebrating the stories
behind Italian fashion’. One of the
world's leading fashion
commentators, Colin McDowell,
curates the exhibition that brings
together for the very first time these
six fashion houses to the
Somerset House, London. Just
days before the 'Masters of Style'
opens to the public (July 1 - August
14), McDowell discusses with Q+A
his excitement about the exhibition,
what it stands for in terms of
craftsmanship, and how Italian
designers are influencing global
trends with their rich heritage and
forward approach to personal style.
Some of the great Italian fashion brand names that first come into mind may include Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Fendi, Gianfranco Ferre, Max Mara, Alberta Ferretti, Bottega Venteta,
Moschino, and the list goes on. But, what if you were asked to select only six brands that have contributed the most to Italy’s position at the forefront of fashion and global trends? This
daunting task was entrusted to ‘Masters of Style’ curator Colin McDowell in consultation with the Somerset House. “First of all, I felt the houses [showcased in the exhibition] had to have
longevity, symbolize a strong family business, exemplify craftsmanship and of course the sheer genius of the designer,” says McDowell, who is the author of some 20 books, including
McDowell’s Directory of 20th Century Fashion.
Moschino, and the list goes on. But, what if you were asked to select only six brands that have contributed the most to Italy’s position at the forefront of fashion and global trends? This
daunting task was entrusted to ‘Masters of Style’ curator Colin McDowell in consultation with the Somerset House. “First of all, I felt the houses [showcased in the exhibition] had to have
longevity, symbolize a strong family business, exemplify craftsmanship and of course the sheer genius of the designer,” says McDowell, who is the author of some 20 books, including
McDowell’s Directory of 20th Century Fashion.
McDowell’s short-list includes Prada, because ‘Miuccia is doing something different each season’, and Dolce & Gabbana, as they represent ‘sexy and fun’. Also included are Giorgio
Armani, for his ‘classic approach to design’, and Gucci, for what they have done ‘to change fashion and make Italian fashion strong’. Additionally, the house of Missioni was an easy choice
for McDowell, pictured at the Audi Fashion Festival Singapore 2011 with (L-R) Vittorio Missoni, Angela Missoni and Margherita Missoni. McDowell explains, “I wanted Missioni in the
exhibition because Angela is doing a great job to modernize her mother’s genius idea brilliantly and I wanted her because she shows how a family in Italy can all work together to do
something extraordinary.” Last but not least, Salvatore Ferragamo concludes the line-up, as they are the ‘oldest fashion business of them all’.
Armani, for his ‘classic approach to design’, and Gucci, for what they have done ‘to change fashion and make Italian fashion strong’. Additionally, the house of Missioni was an easy choice
for McDowell, pictured at the Audi Fashion Festival Singapore 2011 with (L-R) Vittorio Missoni, Angela Missoni and Margherita Missoni. McDowell explains, “I wanted Missioni in the
exhibition because Angela is doing a great job to modernize her mother’s genius idea brilliantly and I wanted her because she shows how a family in Italy can all work together to do
something extraordinary.” Last but not least, Salvatore Ferragamo concludes the line-up, as they are the ‘oldest fashion business of them all’.
The most important thing about the ‘Masters of Style’ exhibition is what it
stands for, to commemorate the passion, flair and creativity of Italian style.
“I think the Italian market is the most important one,” says McDowell, who
spent 10 years as a designer, illustrator and publicist in the Italian fashion
business, where he worked with the late Pino Lancetti, one of the most
creative forces in Italian fashion. “Not many people would say that, but at the
moment I think intellectually Paris is fascinating. They do things that nobody
else does. But when it comes to creating clothes that women and men want
to buy, I think the Italians have the edge.”
Each of the six Italian design houses selected, from their collections and
campaign archives, key images which they felt best reflected and conveyed
their unique approach to Italian fashion. Through the personal stories,
reflections and anecdotes of the Italian designers themselves, visitors to the
Somerset House are given a rare insight into the influences behind their
most memorable images, celebrating their lasting and significant impact on
the fashion industry. “When you come into the exhibition [designed by
Carmody Groarke,] you are greeted with a moving montage of people talking
about what they love about Italy. Instantly, you forget you are even in London,
and you take a journey from Florence to Rome to Naples,” explains
McDowell. “Once you go upstairs ethereal lighting reveals six unique
pavilions created for each designer and made out of diaphanous material.
As a keepsake, each visitor receives a free booklet with all the images
featured in to the exhibition.”
If you’re in London, come and embrace the essence of Italian style and
celebrate what makes Italy so wonderfully unique while sipping on an ice
cold Peroni!
Dates: July 1 – August 14 2011
Hours: daily from 10.00 to 18.00, Late night openings until 20.00 on Thurs.
Location: Embankment Galleries, Somerset House
Admission: £6, £5 Concessions
Address: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Somersethouse.org.uk
stands for, to commemorate the passion, flair and creativity of Italian style.
“I think the Italian market is the most important one,” says McDowell, who
spent 10 years as a designer, illustrator and publicist in the Italian fashion
business, where he worked with the late Pino Lancetti, one of the most
creative forces in Italian fashion. “Not many people would say that, but at the
moment I think intellectually Paris is fascinating. They do things that nobody
else does. But when it comes to creating clothes that women and men want
to buy, I think the Italians have the edge.”
Each of the six Italian design houses selected, from their collections and
campaign archives, key images which they felt best reflected and conveyed
their unique approach to Italian fashion. Through the personal stories,
reflections and anecdotes of the Italian designers themselves, visitors to the
Somerset House are given a rare insight into the influences behind their
most memorable images, celebrating their lasting and significant impact on
the fashion industry. “When you come into the exhibition [designed by
Carmody Groarke,] you are greeted with a moving montage of people talking
about what they love about Italy. Instantly, you forget you are even in London,
and you take a journey from Florence to Rome to Naples,” explains
McDowell. “Once you go upstairs ethereal lighting reveals six unique
pavilions created for each designer and made out of diaphanous material.
As a keepsake, each visitor receives a free booklet with all the images
featured in to the exhibition.”
If you’re in London, come and embrace the essence of Italian style and
celebrate what makes Italy so wonderfully unique while sipping on an ice
cold Peroni!
Dates: July 1 – August 14 2011
Hours: daily from 10.00 to 18.00, Late night openings until 20.00 on Thurs.
Location: Embankment Galleries, Somerset House
Admission: £6, £5 Concessions
Address: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Somersethouse.org.uk
Prada
Fall/Winter 1998
Shot by Albert Watson
Fall/Winter 1998
Shot by Albert Watson
Dolce & Gabbana
Shot by Steven Klein
Shot by Steven Klein
| “I wanted Missioni in the exhibition because Angela is doing a great job to modernize her mother’s genius idea brilliantly." -Colin McDowell |
Missoni
2003
Shot by Mert Alas
& Marcus Piggot
2003
Shot by Mert Alas
& Marcus Piggot
Salvatore Ferragamo
1990
Shot by Aldo Fallai
1990
Shot by Aldo Fallai
