Journals: AIFS in Rome, Italy

Professor Costanza Menchi
Richmond in Rome, Italy

A Promenade Through the History of Italian Fashion:
A group of students from Richmond University in Florence Visited the Sorelle Fontana Foundation in Rome

There are few secret places left in Italy that you can enter in, explore, and finally breath the real elegance, luxury, timeless richness of Made in Italy. Nowadays in these places the truly atmosphere of Italian fashion is preserved and still alive exactly like it was when the modern Italian fashion was born, right after the end of II World War. Students from Richmond University Florence Program, enrolled in the two spring sections of Italian Fashion course, taught every semester by Prof. Costanza Menchi, have been given the extraordinary, unusual, and exclusive opportunity to visit the Micol Fontana Foundation in Rome; it’s a secret treasure chest where Italian high fashion garments are preserved and a fashion archive is scrupulously watched over by skilled professionals. As essential component of their course study, students experienced one entire afternoon in the evocative Foundation and ex-atelier of the three sisters, Giovanna Micol and Zoe Fontana, who contributed to the birth of Italian modern fashion. In 1994 a non-profit organization, the Fondazione Micol Fontana, was set up to protect the historic heritage of Italian alta moda (high fashion).

The primary aim of the Foundation is to preserve for future generations the history and traditions of Italian fashion and Made in Italy and to hand down their professional skills to young generations from all over the world. At the headquarter of the Fondazione Micol Fontana, located in the Roman fashion hub between Via Condotti, Piazza di Spagna, Via Borgognona and Via Frattina, it is possible to gain direct access to the two hundred period garments themselves. A piece of Italian fashion history is ready to be discovered and it is located right in the middle of this glamorous neighborhood, where every day a crowd of tourists, visitors, businessman, celebrities, fashionistas, and vip look for the latest fashion trends, shopping in the most exclusive boutiques on heart.

The photographic Archives go back 60 years; fashion shots of models, actresses and celebrities are all included. 2000 fashionsketches are preserved in the archives, finished drawings illustrating details, fine fabrics, and elaborate sartorial techniques. There are 250 works of art/costumes that testify of a happy period in Italian alta moda, and which represent today a great and endless source of inspiration for young generations of designers here to come.

The Foundation opened its doors and welcomed Richmond students. Under the guidance of Prof. Costanza Menchi, together with the professional experience and enthusiasm of the Foundation’s members Mrs. Luisella Rastelli Lami, Mrs. Rosita Ciprari and Mrs. Luisida Caligaris Papa, students had the unique opportunity to learn personally the story of Italian fashion, they physically touched it. They learned the anecdotes, the differences between high fashion and ready to wear, they touched the fabrics and learned more technical details, and they consulted archive documents such as fashion-sketches, newspapers and photographs. At the end of their visit students had to draw a sketch on their own inspired by the sketches held by the Foundation. Each student drew one fashion sketch and received a book on Sorelle Fontana history signed by Madame Micol Fontana in person.

I really want to thank Madame Micol Fontana, her elegant touch you can feel surrounding you when you enter the Foundation even if she is not physically there. Also thanks all the Fontana Foundation members for let me and my students have a truly and unforgettable experience into the fascinating world of Italian high fashion. My cooperation with all these lovely ladies began following our love for Italian fashion and the common wish to preserve and share this heritage with young generations. All together we’ll continue to spread this fabulous story as a fundamental starting point to understand modern fashion and its future developments.

 

Richmond in Rome