Yesterday I was delighted to join a gathering of
particular importance, LVMH's ”Journées Particulières”,
the weekend event in which over 40 sites throughout
Europe open their doors to showcase the savoir-faire
and métiers of the group's 100,000 gifted men and
women. A unique chance for a backstage look at
”where dreams are made” with tours, conferences
and interactive visits to share the passion for
excellence of expert artisans.
particular importance, LVMH's ”Journées Particulières”,
the weekend event in which over 40 sites throughout
Europe open their doors to showcase the savoir-faire
and métiers of the group's 100,000 gifted men and
women. A unique chance for a backstage look at
”where dreams are made” with tours, conferences
and interactive visits to share the passion for
excellence of expert artisans.
I chose to visit 'Villa Pucci Granaiolo', the Tuscany
country mansion of revered designer Emilio Pucci.
Emilio Pucci, Marquess of Barsento (1914-1992),
was a magnetic Florentine aristocrat whose lineage
dates back to the Renaissance as well as an
enthusiastic sportsman who excelled in ski,
swimming, tennis and fencing whose emergence
as a fashion designer happened almost by chance.
country mansion of revered designer Emilio Pucci.
Emilio Pucci, Marquess of Barsento (1914-1992),
was a magnetic Florentine aristocrat whose lineage
dates back to the Renaissance as well as an
enthusiastic sportsman who excelled in ski,
swimming, tennis and fencing whose emergence
as a fashion designer happened almost by chance.
Pucci studied in Milan and at the University of
Georgia in Athens, USA, where he won a skiing
scolarship to Oregon's Reed College designing
his first clothes for the skiing team. After WWII,
while he was having a leave in Zermatt, Switzerland,
the ski garb made of stretch fabrics he designed
for a female friend caught the eye of Harper's
Bazaar's photographer Toni Frisell whose editor
soon asked Pucci to design skiwear outfits for a
story on European winter fashion. His sleek designs
caused a sensation and he came to receive several
offers from American manufacturers
Georgia in Athens, USA, where he won a skiing
scolarship to Oregon's Reed College designing
his first clothes for the skiing team. After WWII,
while he was having a leave in Zermatt, Switzerland,
the ski garb made of stretch fabrics he designed
for a female friend caught the eye of Harper's
Bazaar's photographer Toni Frisell whose editor
soon asked Pucci to design skiwear outfits for a
story on European winter fashion. His sleek designs
caused a sensation and he came to receive several
offers from American manufacturers
eager to produce them.
By the early 1950s, Emilio Pucci achieved international
recognition for his brightly colored, boldly patterned
designs creating new codes for elegance with his
flowing fabrics and crease-resistant silk jerseys:
the press dubbed him the ”Prince of Prints” and
eventually his brilliantly colored prints became
an icon of the Swinging Sixties.
Pucci has been a true bellwether for innovation: he
introduced free-moving, lightweight fabrics and
pop art prints but he was also one of the first
designers to grasp that his company needed to
become a brand bearing a single logo but branching
out in interior design, athletic apparels and accessories.
After the founder's death in 1992, the emblematic
label remained as vibrant and relevant as before
under the direction of his daughter Laudomia and
thirteen years ago LMVH group acquired the
majority of it strengthening both
international expansion and growth.
Villa Pucci Granaiolo was bathed in the sun but as
I stepped in a breath of fresh air from the wide open
exhibit rooms and a crew of good-looking white-shirted
young male attendants with a welcoming smile on
the face made me wow! 'Black loves White' was the
theme of the first room highlighting key moments in
the past and present history of Maison Pucci through
gorgeous black & white dresses while silk jersey
printed evening gowns of the 1970s were displayed
in a dim room where Pucci's textured designs
were projected on netted panels hanging from the
ceiling. The adjacent Talent Center and Print Room
displayed the expert hands of the artisans creating
models inspired by the Maison's signature prints
and the full range of printing techniques.
I stepped in a breath of fresh air from the wide open
exhibit rooms and a crew of good-looking white-shirted
young male attendants with a welcoming smile on
the face made me wow! 'Black loves White' was the
theme of the first room highlighting key moments in
the past and present history of Maison Pucci through
gorgeous black & white dresses while silk jersey
printed evening gowns of the 1970s were displayed
in a dim room where Pucci's textured designs
were projected on netted panels hanging from the
ceiling. The adjacent Talent Center and Print Room
displayed the expert hands of the artisans creating
models inspired by the Maison's signature prints
and the full range of printing techniques.
Such a beautiful, unusual Sunday.
