ITALIAN FASHION

My Out and About columns are my way of sharing what is going on in Fashion, art and culture in Vancouver. Please share, leave comments and invite me to your upcoming events.

ALL' ITALIANA :

The Craft of Italian Fashion c. 1900-2000

Italian fashion is one of the true joys of life. I have have been a fashion lover and have studied fashion all my life. Certainly, unless you travel to Europe or New York, it is rare to have the opportunity to experience an exhibit of Italian Fashion. Therefore I so excited to hear of an exhibition of Italian fashion right here in Vancouver.

On Thursday January 30th I attended the opening of  A'll Italiana :The Craft of Italian Fashion c. 1900-2000  exhibition at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. The Italian Cultural Centre is home to II Museo II Centro which is a space that encourages and promotes Italian culture .

The opening night of A'll Italiana started with a welcome to the Italian Cultural Centre from the centre's president Michael Cuccione . Mr. Cuccione  introduced the curator of the museum Angela Clarke and curator of this exhibit Ivan Sayers. Angela Clarke and Ivan Sayers introduced us to the exhibition and thanked the many volunteers who made the exhibit possible. The exhibition includes garments dating from 1900 til 2000. Many of the garments come from Ivan Sayers private collection as well as pieces from SMOC (Society for the Museum of Original Costume), MOV ( Museum of  Vancouver), with the assistance of Claus Jahnke collection. and loans from members of the public.

  This exhibition uses clothing and accessories to take us on a journey through 20th Century Italian fashion. Featuring garments from the famed house of Fortuny to more common names like Gucci, Dolce amd Gabbana and Versace, we see a retrospective of 20th Century Italian Fashion. Fashion is a reflection of our society and culture. The success of Italian Moda is the fruit of along history. Italian fashion has been a worldwide force since the Renaissance. Throughout history Italy became the major source for the finest fabrics, craftsmanship and skills that are still used today. Certainly, the Italian fashion industry as we know it, started after world war 2. Italian fashion is fused to other elements of Italian culture like fine art and cinema. In this exhibit you will see the development of vibrant Italian Fashion over the years. Ivan Sayers said in his introduction "part of what makes Italian fashion exceptional is it's liveliness and sense of humor". Certainly, these are two of the many elements that make Italian fashion second to none. What makes a clothing exhibit exciting is the proximity you are to the garments. In fact you can study many of these garments in books and film , however seeing the actual clothing up close gives you a more informed perspective. I encourage all of you who love fashion to visit the Italian Cultural Centre to see this exhibit.

  

 

OUT AND ABOUT

SPECIAL THANKS TO COLLEEN TSOUKALAS- FOR THE USE OF HER PHOTOS.

ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTRE SOCIETY 3075 SLOCAN ST, VANCOUVER, B.C.

italianculturalcentre.ca

WHAT'S HOT

ITALIAN FASHION FOR YOU

Certainly, Italian fashion rates as some of the best fashion in the world. In fact if you have ever traveled to Italy , especially Milan you will see first hand the extraordinary fashion. However, not all of us can travel to Italy to partake in this fashion extravaganza. Therefore, I have partnered with the online retailer ITALIST, to bring you the best of Italian fashion at the best prices. Whether you are in the market for a specific piece or you want to add to your wardrobe in general ITALIST is a fabulous choice.

In this time of fast fashion and disposable fashion I encourage everyone to get in the market for high quality fashion that can last you decades. While, we all could continue to waste money and destroy the environment by purchasing throw-away clothing there is another option.  To put it another way, high quality fashion is an investment in your wardrobe and our planet by keeping tons of disposable clothing out of the landfills.

However, just blindly purchasing items is also not the answer . Therefore, what I recommend is taking time to make a purchase and think about how that item will fit into your wardrobe. Furthermore, you should watch this place online and other online sources to get the best price on your purchases. In our busy lives it is not always possible to get out to the shops when the sales are on, therefore checking regularly with online retailers will guarantee your access to the best prices.

Bottega Veneta

Marni

Dolce & Gabbana

Giambattista Valli

Versace

Dolce & Gabbana

ATTICO

Moschino

ITALIAN FASHION

In conclusion , it is easy to get taken away with the beauty of Italian fashion. Certainly, the garments I have chosen are pieces that will stay in your wardrobe for ever. Thinking of the exhibition , what I have selected are pieces that might well be in an exhibit in the future. In fact, this is the point of beautiful clothing, this Italian clothing is not about trend but about classic pieces for now and the future.

CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW