Treasures of Italian fashion in town

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">NEW DELHI: If you want to see Jacqueline Kennedy''s round evening bag or have a glimpse of the original palazzo pyjamas worn by Claudia Cardinale in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Pink Panther </span>or take a peek at Ava Gardiner''s cassock dress in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">La Dolce Vita</span>, seize the opportunity now.<br />These treasures of Italian fashion will be exhibited at the Italian Cultural Centre in the Capital.Put together by Studio Galgano, an Italian organisation, it is an attempt to showcase 50 years of Italian fashion. <br />From the archives of Italy''s fashion, come outfits that made history not least because of the leading ladies of style that wore them. Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobridgidia''s outfits designed by Schuberth''s, a black vamp dress worn by Hunter Tylo, Armani''s blue-gold dress that graced Claudia Schiffer are all on show. <br />"There are 70 outfits in the exhibition that highlight the milestones of Italian fashion. Be it in Hollywood, theatre, ballet or operas - Italian style has always made a strong statement. Our designers are like artists, they''ve expressed themselves through creative fashion which has sold worldwide," says Leonilde Callocchia, director of the Italian Cultural Centre. <br />What does such a show have for India? Callocchia insists that this is not just another fashion exhibition for India. It is Italy''s recognition of India''s influence in contemporary Italian fashion. <br />"There has been a strong Indian influence in Italian fashion in the last two years. We''re just acknowledging the fact. We''re trying to show India, how fashion has been Italy''s most powerful cultural instrument. In fact, we are going to have a similar fashion show of Indian designers in Italy," says Callocchia. <br />And it isn''t just about fashion but about the development of a commodity into a work of art - from the days of legendary Fontana sisters to ready-to-wear designers like Armani, Gucci, Prada and Krizia.<br />Moreover, a fashion show of 160 contemporary haute couture and ready-to-wear outfits from famous Italian labels, like Versace, Valentino, Trussardi, Raffaella Curiel will be shown for the first time in the capital on Friday night.<br />Having fashion cravings, already? Bon appetit. For Italian fashion will be crossing another milestone in the Indian sub-continent. </div> </div>