Sofia Gnoli's 'Eleganza fascista' traces Italian fashion origins

In 'Eleganza fascista' (Carocci 2017), fashion historian Sofia Gnoli delves into the roots of Italian fashion during the Fascist Ventennio, utilizing rare illustrations and documents. The narrative emphasizes the influence of women on postwar fashion, marking a shift from the garçonne look to the 'donna sirena.' Significant milestones include the Universal Expositions of 1906 and 1911, as well as the 1919 National Congress of the Clothing Industry. Key personalities featured are Rosa Genoni, Lydia De Liguoro, Thayaht, and Marinetti. The regime founded the National Artistic Institute for Italian Fashion in 1928 and the National Fashion Board in 1935. The book also covers textiles, Ferragamo's sandals, and the magazine 'Bellezza,' concluding with the emergence of made in Italy and American women in Capri.