On a cool morning last Friday, I headed to the Philadelphia Art Museum to see a preview of the upcoming Art Into Fashion: Roberto Capucci exhibit. Showcasing the unique creations of Italian designer Roberto Capucci, the exhibit commemorated 50 years since the young designer showed his creations in this very city. A labor of love between the curator Dilys Blum, Roberto Capucci Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Capucci exhibit is a feast of breathtaking design.
From his beginnings in Italy to his move to Paris and the opening of his couture salon in 1962 to his eventual resignation from the couture calendar in 198o, change and innovation are a constant themes in his work. Roberto Capucci has been lauded for his bewitching design and masterful use of color. Inspired by art, architecture and form, Capucci’s designs are wearable sculptures married with elegance.
{Nove Gonne “Nine Dresses”—Scarlet Simply Stunning!}
Walking through the gallery, it was exquisite dress after exquisite dress! Capucci believed in the rich use of color, layer after layer of seductive silks and geometric shapes and patterns. I died and went to FROCK HEAVEN! The attention to detail, the draping, the simple embellishments. Each dress was it’s own unique sculpture and would bring to life any woman to dared to wear a Capucci! This exhibit is the stuff of couture dreams.
The exhibit opens March 16 and runs until June 5. Please check it out and visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art for more information.
Oooh!! I’m going to have to make a trip to Philly and check this out!!
You must, the collection is beyond beautiful!
I love when fashion crosses the line to true art. Rarely in our RTW collections do we see actual sculpting of fabric, it’s generally things that are easily marketable. Even couture has lost some of it’s oomph. Sometimes I just wish fashion was all draaaammmmaaaaaaah daaaaahhhling!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS DAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHLING! It’s a famine of beauty! I was in awe of his technique and how skillfully he manipulated the fabric. Sheer works of art.
Oh yes! Capucci made wonderful dresses. I hadn’t heard of him (or read), but a teacher of mine when studying fashion design, brought over a set of slides with his creations! I was in awe!
My mouth was agape the entire time, they were beautiful
Thanks for the comment Anna!
I’m totally late with my comment. But I was reading on Robert Capucci and stumbled across this. Great post Fajr! I saw the show when it came to Philly and was in awe just the same. I was so inspired by his craftsmanship and the complete design process – especially the accordian pleating. As an architecture student in my past life, I love artists who understand the dynamics of structure and balance. Capucci definitely was a master at it. Thanks for this post!
You’re welcome Tamara! I was amazed to learn his legacy in Philadelphia and how the retrospect bought him back to the city after so many years. His designs were breathtaking!