Guests of Vogue Italia can admire portraits of the most legendary top models including Naomi Campbell, Karen Elson, Linda Evangelista, Eva Herzigova, Carolyn Murphy, Claudia Schiffer, Stella Tennant, Christy Turlington, Amber Valletta, Natalia Vodianova and Raquel Zimmermann as well as those of celebrities and icons of style captured by some of the most illustrious photographers on the international scene such as David Bailey, Walter Chin, Henry Clarke, Patrick Demarchelier, David LaChapelle, Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, Craig MCDean, Herb Ritts, Ugo Mulas, Helmut Newton, Mario Sorrenti, Bruce Weber, Ellen Von Unwerth, Tim Walker and many, many more. An apéro-dinatoire has been organized by invitation only for this exclusive inaugural evening whose guest list includes the world’s most acclaimed designers, top models and fashion photographers, all of whom have made the pages of Vogue Italia so famous in these past 50 years.
The exhibit will be open to the public from Monday 22 September to Sunday 5 October with private and guided tours upon reservation. All necessary information is available at the http://www.vogue.it/partner/v50/ website.
The past 50 years of style and fashion history are narrated through the magazine’s immense legacy of images: a privileged observatory that is remarkable and creative which has accompanied Italy’s evolution with an unfaltering concern regarding current events. Vogue Italia has always distinguished itself among fashion magazines as one that provides its very own distinct interpretation of what is in the news. We would like to mention some of our most memorable and controversial cover stories: “Makeover Madness” (July 2005) dedicated to the pandemic fad of plastic surgery as a pursuit of perfection; “Cleansing” (July 2007) that playfully jabbed at an ubiquitous rehab trend; “No War” (September 2007), an official stance against war; an unforgettable statement in opposition to discrimination against black models was published in what is now known as a cult issue, our “Black Issue” (July 2008), the first edition in the world entirely dedicated to black models that met with unprecedented success; “Water and Oil” (August 2010) with Kristen McMenamy who interpreted the effects of the environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico; “Curvy” (June 2011) with the goal of battling the escalation of food disorders, particularly amongst models, and promoting a healthier lifestyle with the help of a petition against websites that are pro-anorexia; and finally, “Cinematic” (April 2014), that spoke out against violence towards women. Each of these issues brought rise to numerous debates, receiving its share of criticism and approval, distinguishing Vogue Italia amongst fashion magazines.
Over the years, Vogue Italia’s commitment has always reached well beyond mere photographs to the point of developing initiatives in support of emerging talents and their training until their insertion in the working world through scouting in Italy and on an international level. The most distinct example of this is the Who Is On Next? competition, now in its tenth edition, a showcase of essential relevance for all selected designers.
In the words of Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia’s Editor-in-Chief since 1988: “I have always believed that fashion is more than just a beautiful woman wearing an elegant dress. Fashion is the ability to attract and catalyze attention on current issues of social interest. It is for this reason that I have sometimes preferred running the risk of being misunderstood and provoking controversy. But my intention has always been to fight directly and personally for the right causes. Much of the story of our work is enclosed in the historical archive of Vogue Italia which we want to open today in order to make it possible for everyone to participate in the creation of a new way of storytelling for years to come. The Vogue Italia archive will offer young people in particular the possibility of walking along the path of fashion history in an expeditious way that can be completely modified to one’s own expectations. Easy to consult, the archive will contribute to the formation of everyone’s ability of discernment so diffused in the spheres of the arts, music and cinema as well as in the fashion world.”
Moreover, Vogue Archive intends to become a marketing and promotional means of inestimable value for companies as well as an indispensable tool for professional use.
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