(27 Jan 2000) Italian/Eng/Nat
STORY: HIGH FASHION
LOCATION: ROME
DATE: JAN 24TH '2000
Four days of high fashion in Rome closed on Monday with the shows of GRACE PEAR and of EGON VON FURSTENBERG.
The high fashion shows in Rome were undoubtedly interesting, but not always entirely successful. A few designers were criticized in the Italian press for trying to shock with nudity rather than impress with quality.
Among the most successful shows were the ones of Raffaella Curiel, Sarli and Furstenberg.
Monday's "Spring-Summer 2000" shows opened in a Roman theatre with the Italian designer Grace Pear.
Cuts were long, down to the ankle, and flowing. Intense coloured silk dresses were combined with tight fitting bodices in contrasting colours often revealing the belly-button.
Sensual evening wear revealed the models bodies with close cut see-through materials and free flowing Eastern influenced designs complete with sequins and feather boas.
Before beginning her designing career, Graziella Pera got a degree in architecture,and worked as a costume-designer in the theater and cinema. In 1992 she started her own fashion label collection, "Grace Pear", which has received enthusiastic acclaim from the high fashion world.
Graziella Pera spoke about what she calls a difficult moment in the high fashion business. According to her, high fashion is going through a crisis not only in Rome but throughout the world.
Later in the morning it was Egon von Furstenberg's turn to present his collection.
Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, Egon von Furstenberg lived travelling between Italy, Austria and the United States. Destined to a career as a banker in New York, he decided instead to dedicate himself to his great passion for fashion and design. In 1975 he presented his first line of pullovers and men's shirts.
In his collection Furstenberg opted for a conservative look with pastel coloured two piece tailored suits, knee length pencil skirts and short tailored jackets with double collars.
Floral patterned satin trousers were coupled with sheer silk shirts, gathered at the waist by a belt.
Evening wear was cut long and close to the body, pink satin was set off with white sequined designs and embellished with strings of pearls and white satin gloves.
Furstenberg was inspired by three different Roman periods: the Roman atmosphere of the fifties celebrated in Audrey Hepburn films, "Roman Vacation" and "Sabrina"; the Fascist period in the thirties, and the ancient Greek and Roman tradition.
Apart from the clothing, one of the main attractions was the presence of the Brazilian top-model Gianne Albertoni. Now 18-years-old, she was thrust to the attention of the public during a Versace fashion show five years ago when, at the age of thirteen, she was one of the youngest models ever to appear on stage.
In the afternoon it was FAUSTO SARLI'S turn to present his collection. Fausto Sarli, born in Naples, is one of the most prestigious names of high fashion in Rome. And like Raffaella Curiel, he can boast more than 40 years
of activity in fashion.
His methods and techniques have always been the traditional craftsmanship ones of high fashion. Sarli personally follows all the phases that eventually lead to a complete collection, ready to go on stage.
Sarli's show was also very successful. Especially appreciated were the sobriety and simplicity but also, as always, the originality of his collection.
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