Roberto Capucci

Roberto Capucci (born December 2, 1930, in Rome) is an Italian fashion designer.

Roberto Capucci's journey through the world of fashion is marked by notable achievements and innovative contributions. Attending the Accademia di Belle Arti, he honed his craft under the guidance of acclaimed artists like Mazzacurati, Avenali, and Libero De Libero.[1]

In 1950, Capucci embarked on his creative path by establishing his first atelier in Sistina. The following year, he showcased his creations at Giovanni Battista Giorgini’s Villa in Florence, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

Oriana Fallaci, reporting for the weekly Epoca in 1952, highlighted the significance of Capucci's work alongside other designers during the first historic show at the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

In 1958, Capucci's ingenuity shone through with the creation of the "Linea a Scatola" (Box Line), earning him the prestigious 'Boston Fashion Award.' This recognition placed him alongside luminaries like Pierre Cardin and James Galanos.[3]

Venturing onto the international stage, Capucci captivated French critics during the 1961 Paris fashion shows, prompting him to establish his atelier in Paris in 1962.

Returning to Italy in 1968, Capucci presented his collections in Rome and contributed to Pier Paolo Pasolini’s film “Teorema” by designing costumes for Silvana Mangano and Terence Stamp.

In 1970, Capucci's innovative spirit manifested at the Nymphaeum of the Museo di Arte Etrusca at Villa Giulia in Rome, where he challenged conventions with models donning low-heeled boots, minimal makeup, and hairstyling.

His later years witnessed a departure from established fashion calendars in 1980, with Capucci choosing to present his collections only when fully prepared.

The 1990 exhibition “Roberto Capucci l’Arte Nella Moda - Volume, Colore e Metodo” at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence marked a resurgence, earning acclaim across prominent museums globally.

In 2005, Capucci's legacy was preserved through the establishment of the Fondazione Roberto Capucci, housing an extensive archive of historical dresses, illustrations, drawings, and media.

The opening of the Roberto Capucci Foundation Museum in 2007 further solidified his impact on the fashion world, hosting exhibitions and workshops in Florence.

Throughout the years, Capucci continued to innovate, collaborating with artists and presenting events like “Roberto Capucci per i giovani designer. Oltre (a)gli abiti – il design prende una nuova piega” in Milan in 2013.

In 2010, his collaboration with artists Maurizio Martusciello and Mattia Casalegno resulted in the audiovisual installation 'Il Gesto Sospeso,' premiered at the Hadrian Temple for the Rome Fashion Week.

Roberto Capucci's contributions have left an indelible mark on the fashion landscape, earning him recognition as a key figure in “Italian High Fashion” and a pioneer of the "Made in Italy" movement.

Biography
Capucci attended art school at the Accademia di Belle Arti, where he studied with artists such as Mazzacurati, Avenali, and Libero De Libero.

In 1950, he opened his first atelier in Sistina. In 1951, for the first time, he showed his creations at Giovanni Battista Giorgini’s Villa in Florence.

A very young Oriana Fallaci, sent by the weekly Epoca, told the news in 1952, together with other designers such as Vincenzo Ferdinandi, the Sartoria Antonelli, the Atelier Carosa, Giovannelli-Sciarra, Polinober, Germana Marucelli, the Sartoria Vanna, Jole Veneziani, and sixteen sportswear companies and boutiques, that they held the first historic show at the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

In 1958, he created the “Linea a Scatola” (Box Line), for which he received the 'Boston Fashion Award ' (Filene’s Young Talent Design Award) as the best creator of fashion along with Pierre Cardin and James Galanos.

In 1961, French critics welcomed him with enthusiasm at the Paris fashion shows. For this reason, he opened his atelier at n°4 mme rue Cambon in Paris in 1962.

In 1968, he came back to Italy and initiated his work at his studio in Gregoriana, Rome, where he presented his collections as part of the fashion calendar organized by the Camera Nazionale dell’Alta Moda. In the same year, he drew costumes for Silvana Mangano and Terence Stamp for Pier Paolo Pasolini’s movie “Teorema”.

In July 1970, he displayed his work for the first time at the Nymphaeum of the Museo di Arte Etrusca at Villa Giulia in Rome. He designed looks with models wearing boots with low heels, without makeup or hairstyling.

He began experimenting with the inclusion of decorative, rigid, and structural elements, juxtaposing "rich" and "poor" materials, such as precious fabrics, stones, and straw.

In 1980, Capucci left the Camera Nazionale Della Moda and decided to keep his collections out of all calendars and institutions, only presenting them when he was ready.

With the exhibition “Roberto Capucci l’Arte Nella Moda - Volume, Colore e Metodo” in 1990 at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, his explosive season began with big praise from critics and audiences in prominent museums, including Kunsthistorisches Museum (Wien), Nordiska Museet (Stockholm), Pushkin Museum (Moscow), Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reggia di Venaria Reale (Turin).

In 1995, he was invited to show his creations at an Esposizione Internazionale di Arti Visive at La Biennale di Venezia held in 1985 -1995.

In 2005, with the Associazione Civita, he founded Fondazione Roberto Capucci to preserve his archive of 439 historical dresses, 500 signed illustrations, 22,000 original drawings, a full press release, an extensive photo, and a media library.

In 2007, he opened the Roberto Capucci Foundation Museum with exhibitions and workshops in Florence at the Villa Bardini.

In April 2013, he carried out the event “''Roberto Capucci per i giovani designer. Oltre (a)gli abiti – il design prende una nuova piega''” in Milan, with the Awards at Royal Palace of Milan and the exhibition/event at Palazzo Morando.

In 2010, he collaborated with artists Maurizio Martusciello and Mattia Casalegno in the audiovisual installation 'Il Gesto Sospeso', commissioned by FENDI, and premiered at the Hadrian Temple for the Rome Fashion Week.

Giorgini was considered a talent scout for “Italian High Fashion” and a creator of “Made in Italy”.