Designer Profile: Emilio Pucci 1950’s

By Meaghan Smith and Melissa McCaul

FASH 126/01Pauline Ashworth

April 17, 2014

Overview of the House 1950’s:

-The Pucci family home, a Renaissance-era Palazzo that was located in the heart of Florence, was the ideal location for the young couture fashion house, captivating press and clients who came to see the collections there.

-In 1950 Emilio Pucci opened a boutique in Capri and his designs reflected a Mediterranean identity, he used lively coloured prints.

-He was an innovator at using new fabrics for the time, such as nylon for swimwear, cycling shorts and ski wear outfits.

-He also created lingerie in stretch silk and then he also created Emilio form close fitting ski suits(mixing shantung silk and nylon that he invented himself).

Spirit of the Times

- After the war people were looking for optimism and as a result the people really took to the bright colours and patterns that Emilio Pucci incorporated into his designs.

- Emilio Pucci naturally embodied the post war, jet set glamour which captivated a new group of modern, active women.

- Travelling by airplanes started to become more mainstream and his designs became great jet set outfits. He later even designed a flight attendant's uniforms for Braniff Airways as well as Quantas Airways.

Significant Occurrences that have Affected the Work of Emilio Pucci:

- In 1951 at Florence’s first fashion show, Emilio Pucci showcased sportswear and printed scarves.

- Top American retailers loved his designs and quickly purchased orders for his chic capri pants.

- Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus suggested to Emilio that he make blouses and dresses out of the colourful patterned scarf material.

- Marjorie Griswold a major retailer convinced Emilio Pucci to sign his name, Emilio, to all the scarfs to prevent copies and to differentiate the brand.

- Emilio Pucci received the Neiman Marcus Award in 1954.

Designer Influenced by PucciDesigner:- Gianni Versace

Key Look 1Emilio Pucci Design: Gianni Versace Design:

Key Look 2Emilio Pucci Design: Gianni Versace Design:

Peter Dundas- Peter Dundas a Norwegian designer is the current designer for Emilio Pucci

designs.- February 2009 showed his first collection and is currently still the designer

at the house. - He was previously at multiple houses including Jean Paul Gautier, Roberto

Cavalli, Christian Laxios, and Emanuel Ungaro. - He wants to restore the Artistocratic glamour of the Pucci label by

modernizing it.- He wants to steer the house into a more provocative direction he says “I

make clothes to be taken off.”- In 2010 Sarah Jessica Parker wore a Peter Dundas Pucci dress in the Sex and

the City 2 movie poster.