Quick history of Italian Fashion in Rome

Rome is the city to go to when you need to breathe in history and culture while discovering places and art. Once there you’ll fall in love with the breathtaking views, museums, buildings, fountains and streets. But Rome is not only history and art, culture and food. The eternal city has something to do even with the fashion world. Let’s discover together this part of Rome with a quick history of Italian Fashion in Rome!

The nineteenth-century premises 

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Rome was finally annexed to the Kingdom of Italy on 20 September 1870 through the “breach of Porta Pia”.
And only on February 3, 1871, was it proclaimed as “Capital”.
Thanks to these events, the Eternal City acquired a new role for the nation.
Before, Rome was a city closed to progress, liberal principles, modernization and democracy.
From 1870 there was industrial, banking and commercial development.
The business world was in turmoil.
The opening on a national level made Rome an attractive city for those looking for a business.
Thus investments grew and many moved their businesses to the heart of Rome.
For example, Saverio Viganò, a Como hats craftsman moved his shop and workshop to Rome.
His shop was very popular. Mant Roman’s purchased there their bowler hats.

The “belle epoque”

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Middle-class merchants and sellers gave way to new lifestyles and different mentalities.
In the decades following the belle epoque, there were social and economic changes in the country.
In 1873 Roman ladies could be seen walking in the morning, which until then was not allowed.
Meanwhile, the Roman bourgeoisie wanted nothing to do with the luxurious aristocratic style and at the same time wanted to stand out from the lower classes.
Roman aristocratic women wore French-made clothes while middle-class women adopted different styles but very close to those of French origin.

Men’s and woman’s clothing

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Roman menswear was also influenced by the British style.
There was no longer any colour and extravagance in their clothes but darker colours that recalled simplicity and elegance.  Ties, cane and hats became the new male accessories.

At the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, women’s clothing also began to change.
Male suits and suits, skirts and shirts in the style of young women were introduced.
Roman women took inspiration from the American suffragette.
Silk stockings and culottes were abolished and trousers and ties for women were introduced.

The phenomenon of “dandies”

Dandy by Prettysleepy – Pixabay

Dandyism is a style that had George Brummel as its exponent.
He was the son of a butler and interpreted his clothing with ostentatious elegance and in an eccentric way.
Waistcoats with a pocket accompanied by a tie and tailored suits were a must! Umberto I of Savoy was one of the followers of this style and bought his clothes in tailors in Rome. In this period, Roman merchants and tailors adapted to customer requests. For this reason, they began to open many stores located throughout the city.

The tailors

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Milliners, tailors, glove makers, merchants, hatters and shoemakers became the main figures in the Roman clothing of that period.
The tailors were able to influence Roman trade and their stores were located in some areas of Rome such as Campo Marzio, Regola, and Quartiere Colonna.
At the request of Pope Pius VI, the shops were reduced from 700 to 150 and issued an ordinance.
Women could become seamstresses only after having been “schooled” by an experienced man.
The presence of women in this sector was reduced. But over time that changed. The direction of the work as a seamstress was usually entrusted to a teacher or foreman.
Many times the workshop director lived in Paris and was brought in to help with styles and whatnot.

The 1950s

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During the 1950s, French fashion was a thing but the Romans turned up their noses.
There was a real “War on the Seine” if we want to call it that, a real rebellion against the French style.
Velvet trousers and dresses were born and the suit became our two-piece suit and so on. There were some real changes.
Roman fashion was linked to films. We can say that fashion was launched in films by Italian actors and actresses.
Each stylist had his muse.
For example, the Fontana sisters dressed Ava Gardner. The famous Shubert opened his studio atelier in Via Frattina in Rome.
Maria Antonelli was the first to invent a sports line for every day. Other stylists in Rome  were Rocco Barocco, Renato Balestra, Fausto Sarli, Carosa and Gabriella di Robilant.

Modern times

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Fashion in Rome and throughout Italy became prominent between the 11th and 15th centuries. The Italian and Roman artistic development was at its peak. Other cities such as Milan, Palermo, Venezia, Naples and Florence began producing luxury goods, jewels, fine fabrics and clothes for fashion shows.

In the early seventies, there was the transition from haute couture to prêt-à-porter.

Rome today

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One of the fashion capitals considered worldwide is Rome. However Bulgari, Gattinoni, Fendi, Laura Biagiotti, Brioni and Valentino have been founded in Rome. Other international brands such as Chanel, Prada, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Armani and Versace have opened their luxury boutiques in the heart of Rome.
For histance you will find them in Via Dei Condotti, Via Frattini and also in Piazza di Spagna.

The Academy of Fashion and Costume of Rome

In Rome, you will find this wonderful Academy. If you’re interested in the world of fashion then look into it if you are interested in the world of fashion.
This university centre offers training courses in the fields of stylism and fashion, theatrical costume and entertainment.
As a  result, you will learn how to make jewellery and also you will learn how to communicate style and fashion to customers.

The academy is located in Via Della Rondinella n° 2.  For more information check their website here.