Temporary Exhibition

May 26, 2016 — September 25, 2016

ELEGANZA: Italian Fashion From 1945 to Today

This impressive exhibition, organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and presented by Holt Renfrew, celebrates the work of the most celebrated Italian designers, particularly following World War II.

  • Simonetta evening gown of embroidered silk. Published in Harper’s Bazaar, October 1952. Photograph by Genevieve Naylor. Courtesy Staley-Wise Gallery New York.
  • Sfilata (fashion show) in Sala Bianca, 1955, Archivio Giorgini. Photo by G.M. Fadigati. © Giorgini Archive, Florence.
  • Roberto Capucci, silk evening dress, 1987-88. Courtesy Roberto Capucci Foundation. Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
  • Detail of Pucci, tunic and leggings, 1965. Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
  • Photograph by Gian Paolo Barbieri for Gianfranco Ferre advertisement, Fall/Winter 1991. Model: Aly Dunne. ©GIANPAOLOBARBIERI
  • Mila Schon sequinned evening dress and silk coat. Worn and given by Princess Stanislas Radziwill. Worn to Truman Capote's Black and White Ball, 1966. Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
  • Dolce & Gabbana, leather ankle boots with gold, white and pink embroidery, 2001. Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

In addition to viewing numerous dresses and creations by Valentino, Armani, Fendi, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Emilio Pucci, to name just a few, the public will discover pieces by new and emerging designers as well as a range of accessories, photographs, magazines, drawings and film clips: all witnesses to the glamour and influence of Italian fashion from 1945 to today.

See the exhibition through the eyes of our visitors. Comments given during the Exclusive Premiere of the exhibition, May 24th, 2016 (In French)

Sonnet Stanfill, curator of the exhibition and Acting Senior Curator, Department of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, presents the exhibition.

Not to be missed!

What people are saying about it

« Prepare to be dazzled! » Paul Gessel, The Ottawa Citizen
« Several knockout creations! » Robert Everett Green, The Globe and Mail
« Timelessness never looked so good! » Valeria Cori-Manocchio, The Concordian
« Quality and craftsmanship: those are the pillars of Italian fashion we all know and talk about. But a visit to Eleganza (...) also shows off the glamour, elegance, romance, whimsy and frequent funkiness of Italian fashion. » Eva Friede, The Constant Shopper
« Dive into a sea of Italian glamour and indulge in the luxury that surrounds you. Warning: you may get lost amidst the gowns or perhaps in your fantasies of trying them on. » Belinda Anidjar, Dress to Kill
Exhibition organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London=
Exhibition presented by
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Montréal (Québec) H3A 1E9

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