Joseph Gallivan interviews Sonnet Stanfill curator of "Italian Style" at the Portland Art Museum

Italian Style web copy
On Tuesday February 10, 2015, at 11.30am Joseph Gallivan interviews Sonnet Stanfill, the Curator of 20th Century and Contemporary Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Stanfill will talk about "Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945," a show at the Portland Art Museum (through May 3) which examines Italy’s dramatic transition from postwar devastation to a burgeoning industry.

She discusses the role of Italian fascism in the development of the garment industry, the rise of Rome, Florence and Milan as fashion centers, and the time Emilio Pucci made outfits for the Reed College ski team.
 
From the press release:
This major exhibition is a glamorous, comprehensive look at Italian fashion from the end of the Second World War to the present day. The story is explored through the key individuals and organizations that have contributed to Italy’s reputation for quality and style. The exhibition includes both women’s fashion and menswear, highlighting the exceptional techniques, materials, and expertise for which Italy has become renowned.
Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945 examines Italy’s dramatic transition from postwar devastation to a burgeoning industry facilitated by the landmark “Sala Bianca” catwalk shows held in Florence in the 1950s, propelling Italian fashion onto the world stage.
During the 1950s and ‘60s several high- profile Hollywood films were shot on location in Italy, which had an enormous impact on fashion as stars like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor became style ambassadors for Italian fashion, fueling a keen international appetite for luxurious clothing made in Italy.
From the early 1970s, the popularity of couture gave way to enthusiasm for manufactured fashion. Milan became Italy’s new fashion capital. Since the mid-1990s, fashion has become a global trade with Italian designers becoming celebrities, solidifying Italy’s reputation as an international tastemaker. The exhibition concludes with an examination of the future of Italian fashion.
Italian Style includes more than 100 ensembles and accessories by leading Italian fashion houses, including Pucci, Valentino, Gucci, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Prada, and Versace.
For its presentation in Portland, the exhibition’s only West Coast venue, the Museum has organized a variety of programs and activities exploring Italian culture and fashion, as well as the emerging fashion scene in Portland. Italian Style is the fourth in a series of exhibitions at the Museum exploring design.
Exhibition organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and curated by Sonnet Stanfill, Curator of 20th Century and Contemporary Fashion at the V&A. Host Curated by Brian Ferriso, The Marilyn H. and Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Director
 
 
Joseph Gallivan has been a reporter since 1990. He has covered music for the London Independent, Technology for the New York Post, and arts and culture for the Portland Tribune, where he is currently the Business Reporter. He is the author of two novels, "Oi, Ref!" and "England All Over" which are available on Amazon.com
josephgallivan@gmail.com