Roberto Capucci

Last updated
Roberto Capucci
Roberto Capucci.jpg
Born (1930-12-02) 2 December 1930 (age 93)
Rome, Italy
OccupationFashion suits

Roberto Capucci (born December 2, 1930, in Rome) is an Italian fashion designer.

Contents

Roberto Capucci's journey through the world of fashion is marked by notable achievements and innovative contributions. Attending the Accademia di Belle Arti, he honed his craft under the guidance of acclaimed artists like Mazzacurati, Avenali, and Libero De Libero.[1]

In 1950, Capucci embarked on his creative path by establishing his first atelier in Sistina. The following year, he showcased his creations at Giovanni Battista Giorgini’s Villa in Florence, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

Oriana Fallaci, reporting for the weekly Epoca in 1952, highlighted the significance of Capucci's work alongside other designers during the first historic show at the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

In 1958, Capucci's ingenuity shone through with the creation of the "Linea a Scatola" (Box Line), earning him the prestigious 'Boston Fashion Award.' This recognition placed him alongside luminaries like Pierre Cardin and James Galanos.[3]

Venturing onto the international stage, Capucci captivated French critics during the 1961 Paris fashion shows, prompting him to establish his atelier in Paris in 1962.

Returning to Italy in 1968, Capucci presented his collections in Rome and contributed to Pier Paolo Pasolini’s film “Teorema” by designing costumes for Silvana Mangano and Terence Stamp.

In 1970, Capucci's innovative spirit manifested at the Nymphaeum of the Museo di Arte Etrusca at Villa Giulia in Rome, where he challenged conventions with models donning low-heeled boots, minimal makeup, and hairstyling.

His later years witnessed a departure from established fashion calendars in 1980, with Capucci choosing to present his collections only when fully prepared.

The 1990 exhibition “Roberto Capucci l’Arte Nella Moda - Volume, Colore e Metodo” at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence marked a resurgence, earning acclaim across prominent museums globally.

In 2005, Capucci's legacy was preserved through the establishment of the Fondazione Roberto Capucci, housing an extensive archive of historical dresses, illustrations, drawings, and media.

The opening of the Roberto Capucci Foundation Museum in 2007 further solidified his impact on the fashion world, hosting exhibitions and workshops in Florence.

Throughout the years, Capucci continued to innovate, collaborating with artists and presenting events like “Roberto Capucci per i giovani designer. Oltre (a)gli abiti – il design prende una nuova piega” in Milan in 2013.

In 2010, his collaboration with artists Maurizio Martusciello and Mattia Casalegno resulted in the audiovisual installation 'Il Gesto Sospeso,' premiered at the Hadrian Temple for the Rome Fashion Week.

Roberto Capucci's contributions have left an indelible mark on the fashion landscape, earning him recognition as a key figure in “Italian High Fashion” and a pioneer of the "Made in Italy" movement.

Biography

Capucci attended art school at the Accademia di Belle Arti, where he studied with artists such as Mazzacurati, Avenali, and Libero De Libero. [1]

In 1950, he opened his first atelier in Sistina. In 1951, for the first time, he showed his creations at Giovanni Battista Giorgini’s Villa in Florence.

A very young Oriana Fallaci, sent by the weekly Epoca, told the news [2] in 1952, together with other designers such as Vincenzo Ferdinandi, the Sartoria Antonelli, the Atelier Carosa, Giovannelli-Sciarra, Polinober, Germana Marucelli, the Sartoria Vanna, Jole Veneziani, and sixteen sportswear companies and boutiques, that they held the first historic show at the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

In 1958, he created the “Linea a Scatola” (Box Line), for which he received the 'Boston Fashion Award' (Filene’s Young Talent Design Award) as the best creator of fashion along with Pierre Cardin and James Galanos. [3]

In 1961, French critics welcomed him with enthusiasm at the Paris fashion shows. For this reason, he opened his atelier at n°4 mme rue Cambon in Paris in 1962.

In 1968, he came back to Italy and initiated his work at his studio in Gregoriana, Rome, where he presented his collections as part of the fashion calendar organized by the Camera Nazionale dell’Alta Moda. In the same year, he drew costumes for Silvana Mangano and Terence Stamp for Pier Paolo Pasolini’s movie “Teorema”.

In July 1970, he displayed his work for the first time at the Nymphaeum of the Museo di Arte Etrusca at Villa Giulia in Rome. He designed looks with models wearing boots with low heels, without makeup or hairstyling.

He began experimenting with the inclusion of decorative, rigid, and structural elements, juxtaposing "rich" and "poor" materials, such as precious fabrics, stones, and straw.

In 1980, Capucci left the Camera Nazionale Della Moda and decided to keep his collections out of all calendars and institutions, only presenting them when he was ready.

With the exhibition “Roberto Capucci l’Arte Nella Moda - Volume, Colore e Metodo” in 1990 at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, his explosive season began with big praise from critics and audiences in prominent museums, including Kunsthistorisches Museum (Wien), Nordiska Museet (Stockholm), Pushkin Museum (Moscow), Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reggia di Venaria Reale (Turin).

In 1995, he was invited to show his creations at an Esposizione Internazionale di Arti Visive at La Biennale di Venezia held in 1985 -1995.

In 2005, with the Associazione Civita, he founded Fondazione Roberto Capucci to preserve his archive of 439 historical dresses, 500 signed illustrations, 22,000 original drawings, a full press release, an extensive photo, and a media library. [4]

In 2007, he opened the Roberto Capucci Foundation Museum with exhibitions and workshops in Florence at the Villa Bardini.

In April 2013, he carried out the event “Roberto Capucci per i giovani designer. Oltre (a)gli abiti – il design prende una nuova piega” in Milan, with the Awards at Royal Palace of Milan and the exhibition/event at Palazzo Morando.

In 2010, he collaborated with artists Maurizio Martusciello and Mattia Casalegno in the audiovisual installation 'Il Gesto Sospeso', commissioned by FENDI, and premiered at the Hadrian Temple for the Rome Fashion Week.

Giorgini was considered a talent scout for “Italian High Fashion” and a creator of “Made in Italy”.[ citation needed ]

Exhibitions

YearTitle
2011Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion [5]
2009Fabric Sculpture Exhibit at Odescalchi Castle [6]
2009Roberto Capucci at Bracciano Castle [7]
2009Roberto Capucci fashion design at Palazzo Fortuny [8]
2008“Fantasie Guerriere” Warrior Fantasies [9]
2007Returning to Origins [10]

Notes and references

  1. B, Roxi (2021-05-31). "Roberto Capucci - An Italian Sculptor's History and creations". Life in Italy. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  2. "Epoca n.95/1952" (PDF).
  3. Johnson, Kyle (2018-08-30). "An Assault of Art with Roberto Capucci". GPS Radar. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  4. "Foundation". Il sito della Fondazione Roberto Capucci. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  5. "Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion". Philadelphia Museum of Art. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2011-05-27.
  6. "Capucci "Fabric Sculpture" Exhibit at Odescalchi Castle". WebVisionItaly.com. August 19, 2009. Archived from the original on 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
  7. "The "supreme elegance" of Roberto Capucci on view in a new exhibition at Bracciano Castle". The Gleni Blog. December 2, 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-03-10.
  8. "Roberto Capucci fashion design at Palazzo Fortuny". Venice-Tourism.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24.
  9. Battista, Anna. "Roberto Capucci's Warrior Fantasies". Dazed Digital. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21.
  10. "Roberto Capucci "Returning to Origins": Exhibition in Florence". TuscanyPass.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alberto Burri</span> Italian painter

Alberto Burri was an Italian visual artist, painter, sculptor, and physician based in Città di Castello. He is associated with the matterism of the European informal art movement and described his style as a polymaterialist. He had connections with Lucio Fontana's spatialism and, with Antoni Tàpies, an influence on the revival of the art of post-war assembly in the United States as in Europe.

Fornasetti is a luxury artistic design company founded in 1940 in Milan by Piero Fornasetti, now run by the founder's son, Barnaba Fornasetti, which is known internationally for the creation of porcelain and handmade decorative objects for the home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milan Fashion Week</span> Italian clothing trade show

Milan Fashion Week is a clothing trade show held semi-annually in Milan, Italy. Upcoming autumn/winter fashions are showcased in February/March of each year, and upcoming spring/summer fashions are showcased in September/October of each year. Many designers showcase new designs and upcoming collections. Milan Fashion Week is one of the "Big Five" global fashion weeks alongside New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umberto Tirelli</span> Italian costume designer

Umberto Tirelli was an Italian tailor, costume maker and designer, historian of costume and collector.

Italy is one of the leading countries in fashion design, alongside France and the United Kingdom. Fashion has always been an important part of the country's cultural life and society, and Italians are well known for their attention to dress; la bella figura, or good appearance, retains its traditional importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Taslaq</span>

Jamal Taslaq is a Palestinian high fashion designer living and working in Italy. His style blends Eastern and Western clothing codes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emilio Schuberth</span> Italian fashion designer

Emilio Federico Schuberth (1904–1972) was an Italian fashion designer, popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Schuberth was called the "tailor of the stars", and his work was loved by many international celebrities like Princess Soraya of Iran, Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Anna Magnani.

Valentina Moncada di Paternò is an Italian art historian, gallery owner, and curator who specializes in contemporary art. In 1990 she opened an art gallery in Rome in Via Margutta 54, establishing herself as a talent scout due to a program of young international artists who soon became known worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Villa Manin</span>

Villa Manin is a Venetian villa located in the comune of Passariano in Codroipo, Friuli Venezia Giulia, in northeastern Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jole Veneziani</span> Italian fashion designer

Jolanda Anna Maria Veneziani was an Italian fashion designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gianni Berengo Gardin</span> Italian photographer (born 1930)

Gianni Berengo Gardin is an Italian photographer who has concentrated on reportage and editorial work, but whose career as a photographer has encompassed book illustration and advertising.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enrico Crispolti</span> Italian art critic, curator and art historian

Enrico Crispolti was an Italian art critic, curator and art historian. From 1984 to 2005, he was professor of history of contemporary art at the Università degli Studi di Siena, and director of the school of specialisation in art history. He previously taught at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome (1966–1973) and at the Università degli Studi di Salerno (1973–1984). He was author of the catalogues raisonnés of the works of Enrico Baj, Lucio Fontana and Renato Guttuso. He died in Rome on 8 December 2018.

Sorelle Fontana is an Italian fashion house, specializing in production of high-fashion couture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germana Marucelli</span> Italian fashion designer

Germana Marucelli was an Italian fashion designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romeo Mancini</span> Italian artist (1917–2003)

RomeoMancini was an Italian painter and sculptor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Antonelli (fashion designer)</span> Italian fashion designer

Maria Antonelli (1903–1969) was an Italian fashion designer. A pioneer of Italian fashion design, Antonelli took part in the first Italian fashion shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giovanni Battista Giorgini</span> Italian entrepreneur

Giovanni Battista Giorgini, nicknamed Bista, was an Italian entrepreneur and member of the Giorgini family.

Francesca Sacchi Tommasi is an independent Italian art dealer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincenzo Ferdinandi</span> Italian fashion designer

Vincenzo Ferdinandi was an Italian designer among the founders of Italian haute couture.

Simonetta Colonna di Cesarò was an Italian countess who became known as one of the most celebrated Italian fashion designers of her time and was described as the first lady of Italian fashion. She was a member of the Colonna family.