Experience Italian high fashion at 'L'Italia è di Moda' exhibition

Life & Style

Published: 02 Feb. 2023, 15:42 Updated: 02 Feb. 2023, 16:18

Experience Italian high fashion at 'L'Italia è di Moda' exhibition

A view of the “L’Italia è di Moda" exhibition, now on view at High Street Italia in southern Seoul. The dress at front is a 2002 Etro long-tailed dress with its classic brown paisley prints paired with a black silk and satin bolero jacket. [SHIN MIN-HEE]

Italy revolutionized the world across centuries with its cuisine and, notably, its fashion. From Versace and Armani to Gucci and Prada, Italy continues to dress the international audience with pieces that boast the highest-quality craftsmanship and creative designs.

The fashion exhibition “L’Italia è di Moda,” now on view at arguably the most Italian spot in Seoul — High Street Italia in Gangnam District, southern Seoul — provides Korea the opportunity to admire some of Italy’s most glamorous and iconic outfits.

The exhibit, the name of which roughly translates to “Italy is in Fashion,” is co-sponsored by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Embassy of Italy in Korea.

The five-floor High Street Italia building is managed by both the ITA and the embassy and offers workshops and seminars related to Italian culture, with a gelato cafe and Italian grocer on the first floor.

From left: Ferdinando Gueli, project manager at the Italian Trade Agency; Federico Failla, Italian ambassador to Korea; and Stefano Dominella, president of the Fashion and Design section of Unindustria. Dominella curated the “L’Italia è di Moda" exhibition now on view at High Street Italia in southern Seoul. [REDTREE]

“L’Italia è di Moda” was curated by Stefano Dominella, president of the Fashion and Design section of Unindustria, an Italian union of industrialists and companies, and presents a wide selection of gowns, some worn by famed Hollywood celebrities and others designed by the aforementioned luxury houses.

All garments are being showcased in Korea for the very first time. Of the roughly 50 pieces on display, many were bought at auctions.

“Seoul is emerging as a city of trends on a global scale, and there is no doubt that it will develop into a fashion capital within the next few years,” Dominella said, gleaming, during the opening of the exhibition on Wednesday. “I’m very grateful and pleased to have been able to hold this exhibition in Seoul.”

A 1994 strapless black-and-red Moschino dress with a hand-painted image of a cow [SHIN MIN-HEE]

“This exhibition is not just about the commercial aspects, it is also meaningful in that it is artistic,” said Italian Ambassador to Korea Federico Failla. “And Korea is a very big market to Italy in terms of fashion exports.”

According to a Morgan Stanley report, total spending on personal luxury goods by Koreans grew 24 percent year-on-year to $16.8 billion last year, an average of $325 per person, making Koreans the biggest luxury spenders in the world.

Adding to a plethora of K-pop stars becoming ambassadors for these high-end brands, such as BTS’s Suga for Valentino or NCT’s Jaehyun for Prada, it’s no wonder Italian media has continued reporting that Korea has become a major market for Italy’s fashion industry.

The garments on view are also timeless examples that serve as archival records in the history of fashion.

A 1955 white imperial-style organza dress decorated with mother-of-pearl and rhinestones, which Audrey Hepburn wore in the film "War and Peace" (1956). This piece was specially designed for Hepburn by Italian fashion designer Fernanda Gattinoni (1906-2002). [SHIN MIN-HEE]

They include a 1955 white, imperial-style organza dress decorated with mother-of-pearl and rhinestones that Italian fashion designer Fernanda Gattinoni (1906-2002) specially designed for Audrey Hepburn, which she wore in the film “War and Peace” (1956); a 1994 strapless black-and-red Moschino dress with a hand-painted image of a cow; and a 2002 Etro long-tailed dress with its classic brown paisley prints paired with a black silk and satin bolero jacket.

“L'Italia è di Moda” continues until Feb. 12. High Street Italia is open every day except Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition is free to all.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]