Rome, an extraordinary Maison: the archives and creations of its costume studios
Until 29th November, the Ara Pacis Museum is hosting an exhibition featuring archives and creations from Rome’s foremost costume design studios, blending tradition and experimentation, where inspiration continuously reinvents the concept of clothing.
The project sees Rome become part of fashion’s modern history, revealing itself as an extraordinary design laboratory where high artisanship lives alongside historical archive.
Two unique worlds that express the rich culture of the Made in Italy brand: a knowledge and study of archive and the creative expression of our artisans, as seen through visual arts, photography, costume and cinema. This is a new opportunity for the city, which is opening its historical locations to projects and initiatives dedicated to fashion research and the culture of fashion, away from industrial manufacture, concentrating on the area’s artisanal roots, and how they are being translated into digital and technological modernity.
The Ara Pacis Museum is to host a major exhibition showcasing Rome’s most prestigious costume studios curated by fashion historian and critic, Clara Tosi Pamphili, which evokes the studios where visitors can closely observe the creativity and research, the unique techniques and the Italian savoir faire, and engage with the costume studios’ private archives and collections.
Annamode, Costumi d’Arte – Peruzzi, Farani, Pieroni, Tirelli, historic houses sought out by the biggest names in cinema and by many stylists and couturiers – to study, to collaborate with or to be inspired by. These houses will take centre stage in an exhibition rich in outfits and accessories from various eras. For the first time, as well as costumes from film and theatre, this event will showcase the rich heritage, found nowhere else in the world, of authentic pieces from the end of the 18th century up to today, accumulated with care and passion over almost a century of activity. Among the iconic pieces there are also designs from the personal archive of Gabriele Mayer, including photos and videos, which will show the relationship between fashion and costume as being a stimulus to invent objects that go beyond the concept of fashion. A strong blend of artisanship and tradition which still continues today, whilst looking towards new technology and environmental sustainability. One section is dedicated to Mensura, which has produced mannequins for more than a century, highlighting the relationship between art and artisanship with authentic pieces which exist on the boundary between sculpture and mannequin.
Till November 29, 2020
Lungotevere in Augusta (Via Tomacelli corner)
9.30am – 7.30pm
Tickets €10 – 12 (Ara Pacis Museum + exhibition)
