Past Exhibitions
Emilio Pucci
The Italian marquis, Emilio Pucci, whose elegant sportswear has become a status symbol, is among the post-WWII couturiers who made the world conscious of the distinction of Italian design. After the war, there was a great hunger for color, novelty and newness. The simplicity, color, style and movement of Pucci’s clothing contributed an unsurpassed sophistication in casual dress, and it is still influential today.
Born to an illustrious Florentine family in 1914, Pucci became a gentleman athlete, flew a bomber in the war and gained a reputation as a notorious lover and dashing adventurer. Pucci drew from his viewpoint as an active sportsman in his designs, introducing Capri pants worn with printed silk shirts and colorful knit dresses that were a fresh alternative to the artificially-structured silhouette prominent in the 1950s. He also created his own line of softer undergarments to go with them. He believed in casualness not carelessness.
Known as the “Prince of Prints,” Pucci designed slacks, shirts and dresses in vivid and startling color combinations. By urging chemical companies to develop a broader range of vibrant hues, Pucci created a kaleidoscope that had not been possible before. He achieved varied effects, even within the same palette of colors, by changing the combination, scale and proportion. His wild geometrics and multi-colored flowing designs replaced the staid, tame prints that had been more typical. Pucci drew the hundreds of print designs for each collection himself, and he signed all of his creations with “Emilio,” from clothing to carpets, from the Apollo 15 space mission logo to a Ford Lincoln Continental. It was Pucci’s combination of elegance and excitement that resulted in his tremendous success. His designs were worn by countless celebrities, such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Grace Kelly.
Pucci died in 1992, at the age 78. While Emilio Pucci lives on, under the guidance of his daughter and image director, Laudomia Pucci, and artistic director Christian Lacroix, it is Emilio’s own designs from the 1950s to 1970 that are featured in this exhibition of over 30 ensembles and accessories. Drawn from important collections from New York to Los Angeles – many significant examples are from the collection of Mrs. Frank Lloyd Wright on loan from the archives of Taliesin West – as well as the Museum’s own comprehensive collection, this show proves witness to the imagination and sophistication of this important designer.
The exhibition is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and support is provided by North Valley Plastic Surgery and
Meridian Bank.
Left:Shirt, Emilio Pucci, c.1970. Printed cotton velveteen. Phoenix Art Museum Collection, Gift of the Museum of the City of New York. Pants, Emilio Pucci, late 1960s. Rayon. Lent by Mrs. Kelly Ellman. Sunglasses, Emilio Pucci, late 1960s. Plastic. Lent by Mrs. Kelly Ellman. Center: Dress, Emilio Pucci, late 1960s. Printed cotton velveteen. Lent by Mort and Marilyn Bloom. Dress, Emilio Pucci, late 1960s. Printed wool jersey. Lent by Mort and Marilyn Bloom. Sunglasses, Emilio Pucci, late 1960s. Plastic. Lent by Mrs. Kelly Ellman. Right:Dress and Belt, Emilio Pucci, c. 1964. Silk jersey knit. Lent by Lauren and Steven Greenberg. Sunglasses, Emilio Pucci, late 1960s. Plastic. Lent by Mrs. Kelly Ellman.