MILAN — Iconic fashion journalist Anna Piaggi died in 2012 at age 81, but her inspiration and eccentric style are not forgotten.
Matteo Marzotto, president of MinervaHub, has spearheaded a cultural project, curated by Italian journalist Daniela Fedi and called “Parole e Taffetà [Words and Taffeta]” in two chapters. The first was unveiled at textile show Milano Unica earlier this month, while the second will bow at leather trade show Lineapelle running from Tuesday to Thursday.
Related Articles
“She was a true influencer before this term even existed, she was ahead of her times, and a great interpreter of fashion,” said Marzotto. Piaggi was a friend of his mother’s, the late fashion and jewelry designer Marta Marzotto, herself an influential social fixture in Italy. “Anna would come to our house and as a young man, I was struck by how eclectic her style was; there were elements of a true fashionista.”
You May Also Like
To be sure, Piaggi’s style was a show-stopper — an inspired blend of countries and centuries that combined furs, kimonos, vintage opera costumes from La Scala and huge accessories, always worn with blue hair, boldly colorful makeup and unique hats. It made her a muse to many, including Karl Lagerfeld in the 1970s and 1980s. She wore decades-old Worth, Callot Soeurs or Fortuny dresses, paper skirts and Lagerfeld’s designs for Chloé. She collected all sorts of objects — curtains, pieces of fabric and sofa covers — throughout her life and travels, and boldly wore them with gusto.
“I am convinced Anna Piaggi is a brand, and through this project we pay tribute to the history of fashion, showing her clothes and their incredible craftsmanship and costruction,” Marzotto said.
MinervaHub was established in 2022 to protect and support a number of Italian manufacturers in the country’s supply chain that help create garments and accessories for leading international luxury fashion brands with their finishings, materials and services. The idea behind this project, explained Marzotto, is to “shine a light on this know-how, underscoring the crucial importance of culture and narrative for the fashion industry and how Italy is an absolute leader in high-end manufacturing.”
Jacopo Tonelli, founder of Jato, who has been providing delicate embroideries for years for brands ranging from Gucci to Valentino, holds the role of creative director of MinervaHub, and he selected the looks out of the 150 pieces from the group’s archives, paired with others contributed by the Associazione Culturale Anna Piaggi.
Asked about the decision to show at two major international trade shows, Marzotto said these “are natural outlets for such a project, with so many verticals, from fabrics to accessories. MinervaHub offers different technologies and innovative processes, incredible prints and applications, details and services. We consolidated 26 exceptional companies within and we needed to tell our story and the spirit of the group.”
This is the first exhibition on Anna Piaggi to be staged since her death. A previous one was organized by the Victoria & Albert Museum when she was still alive.
In early summer, MinervaHub plans to develop another step of this project, to be hosted at its new headquarters in Scandicci near Florence.
In addition to Jato, MinervaHub comprises companies such as Zeta Catene and Galvanica Formelli, both located in the Arezzo, Tuscany area. Zeta Catene produces more than 2,000 types of chains of different shapes, sizes and materials, such as brass and silver, as accessories for bags and shoes. Galvanica Formelli offers metal details, components and galvanic treatments for fashion accessories. Conceria Zuma Pelli Pregiate and Quake are among others, which operate in the fashion–luxury market, in design, sportswear, cosmetics, jewelry and automotive.