A visit to the Accademia Factory in Rome during AltaRoma July 2015. Photos & text by Glenn Belverio

 

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Last month during AltaRoma, the Accademia di Costume e di Moda opened their doors to the public and press to present projects completed during 2014–15. The various rooms of the school showcased pieces divided into three categories: costume, fashion and accessories.

There was also a special world premiere of the new documentary about Anna Piaggi, Fashion Through a Kaleidoscope, directed by Alina Marazzi and produced by NDR/ARTE. (I’ve included the trailer for the film, above.)

Although it was an oppressively hot day, it was a delight strolling through the workrooms and exhibition spaces of the academy, taking in the heady panorama of works by the students which ranged from medieval to techy.

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First-year Accademia students created these marvelous medieval costumes inspired by the poem “Donna del Paradiso lo tuo figilo è priso” written by 13th-century Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi. These raw-cotton guinea tunics were hand-dyed and painted to imitate frescoes. I found them beautifully evocative.

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The second-year students created these linen and cotton costumes inspired by Wild Honey by British playwright Michael Frayn.

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Third-year students reinterpreted 17th-century costumes as depicted in the paintings of Diego Velázquez, made in had-dyed jute. Some of the costumes were created for the play Don Juan Club directed by Franceso Bonomo, staged at the Teatro Quirino this past May.

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This takes me back to the days when I traced patterns and cut fabric in my father’s uniform atelier, during my youth in rural New Jersey.

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This illustration reminds me of “The Family” in the 1971 post-apocalyptic sci-fi film The Omega Man!

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The fashion section of the exhibition included studies on draping, volume and three-dimensional visions of garments.

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Some old-school 3D effects—fashion and Mussolini’s Swiss cheese in EUR.

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The always fabulous Susan Sabet, editor-in-chief of the Cairo-based Pashion magazine and her customized Vuitton tote.

Thanks for reading.

Love,

Glenn Belverio

Glenn Belverio

Glenn Belverio is a writer and New Yorker. He has been reporting for ASVOF since 2005 and currently works at The Museum of Modern Art as the Content Manager for MoMA Design Store.