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| Romeo Gigli 1951 - present Born:
Bologna, Italy Worked: Milan, Italy |
When Romeo Gigli designs
clothing, he takes his inspiration "not [from] the human body
itself, but [from] the essence of the personality inside that
the body can convey...I am totally convinced that 'the essential'
is the greatest elegance one can have." Gigli has become a leader
in the fashion world with his emphasis on languid lines, exotic
colors and textures, and fresh use of historical influences.
His work has been described as "dramatic, romantic, and ethereal."
His collections often include long and short tunics with natural,
curvy tailoring; long coats with shawl collars;short, body-conscious
jackets in unusual proportions; and simple, narrow trousers.
Gigli challenged the predominance of swaggering, hard-edged,
broad-shouldered designs with his use of draped fabric, pear-shaped
silhouettes, and narrow, sloping shoulders that echoed the images
of Madonnas from quattrocento Florentine paintings. A show that
was quintessentially Giglian featured spectacular jackets and
coats made of crushed velvet, with big, loose-fitting collars,
knuckle-length sleeves, fitted waists, and curved hemlines.
Other pieces consisted of asymmetrical tunic dresses made of
layered, iridescent taffeta and chiffon in spectrums of gray,
black, burgundy, and mustard. These pieces were paired with
contrasting colored tights or slim pants, making the collection
simultaneously simple and futuristic.
"Not since the beginning of the '70s, when Saint Laurent put
a woman in a blazer and pants with a fur boa and high heels,
has a single designer transformed fashion so drastically and
so rapidly," wrote Holly Brubach in the New Yorker.
Another memorable Gigli collection featured African-inspired
batiks, tie-dyes, and garments made of shell, horn, leather,
and animal skins. Gigli had once again rocked the fashion world
with a collection that included long skirts with high slits
up the front and shirts made of temporary tattoos instead of
fabric. His best-ever menswear collection featured Edwardian-looking
frock coats and longish suit jackets worn with vests and thin
ties.
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