MODA. Made in Italy
From summer 2013, MMH presented an exhibition on Italian fashion, ‘Moda. Made in Italy ‘. On the basis of eleven themes, visitors were guided through the extraordinary and complex history of Italian fashion.
Hasselt has a special bond with Italy. The first Italian immigrants came en masse to Limburg in the 1950s to work in the coal mines and they stayed there. They brought the Italian flair and elegance with them, it is unthinkable to go shopping in jogging clothes in Hasselt, the women are always ‘dressed up’, wear jewelery and look pristine.
The exhibition in the Fashion Museum gave an overview of Italian fashion from after the Second World War until today. After the war, thanks to the Marshall Plan, the reconstruction focused heavily on the fashion and textile sector. What had previously been a flourishing textile industry now gained momentum; fashion became a very successful export product, with America as its most important customer.
The first catwalk shows in the 1950s and the film production – including ‘Roman Holiday’ (1953) with the beautiful Audrey Hepburn on her Vespa – were decisive for the success that has been perpetuated to this day. Prada, for example, is one of the few companies in the fashion world that sees its profits increase year after year, just like Armani and Versace.
Italy still stands for craftsmanship and elegance today. Ready-to-wear, knitwear, handbags, shoes, leather goods and fabrics remain fixed values in the global top. Tradition remains important but Italy is also a country of innovation and technological progress.
The expo features creations by Prada, MiuMiu, Emilio Schuberth, Gattinoni, Missoni, Marni, Prada, Armani, Vercase, Gucci, Fendi, Pucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Laura Biagotti, Roberto Cavalli, Brioni, Gianfranco Ferré, Borsalino, Ken Scott, Max Mara, Valentino, Moschino and many others and is structured into eleven clearly defined themes including fabrics, knitwear and casual wear, extravaganza and glamor, Milan, film, the art of tailoring, leather / fetish, l’altra moda and so on.
Together with the exhibition, publishing house Lannoo also published a beautiful book by the same name, ‘Moda. Made in Italy ‘, a historical look at Italian fashion with attention to big names such as Armani, Versace, Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and many others. Profusely illustrated with unique archive material.
Curator: Kenneth Ramaekers
Research: Eve Demoen
Scenography: MASSarchitects Massimo Pignanelli
Design: Brusatto
With thanks to:
MMH Team
Friends of the Fashion Museum
City of Hasselt
Province of Limburg
Francis Chiara
Paul Schreurs (Nipau, House Vanstraelen, Hasselt)
Enrico Quinto & Paolo Tiranelli
Laura Nobile
Quinto-Tiranelli Fashion Collection
Rome (Enrico Quinto)
Fondazione Tirelli-Trapetti, Rome
Fondazione Micol Fontana, Rome
Museo Salvatore Ferragamo
Museo Gucci
Gemeentemuseum The Hague
Museum of Costume and Lace Brussels
Image courtesy of Modemuseum, Hasselt, Belgium.