Emilio Pucci Designer Fashions

Emilio Pucci was born in Naples on 1914. Marchese Emilio Pucci di Barsento (pu-'che-) was his name given at birth. He was a very intelligent and well-rounded man, and most widely recognized for becoming a very influencial Italian fashion designer. Emilio did more than fashion design in his lifetime. Both a scholar and an athlete, he was a member of the Italian ski team in 1934, where he received a skiing scholarship to Reed College in Oregon. He first ventured into clothing design at Reed by creating the ski team's uniforms. He graduated from Reed with the class of 1937, after also studying at the University of Georgia.

His life changed as he knew it in 1947 when he was photographed by Toni Frissell, a photographer working for Harper's Bazaar, in the photo Pucci was wearing skiwear that he himself had designed. Frissell's editor was very intrigued by the skiwear design by Pucci. So much so that he asked Pucci to design skiwear for a story on European Winter Fashion, which ran in the winter 1948 issue of the Bazaar.

The exposure he received from Bazzar magazine encouraged him to design clothes for women. Emilio Pucci launched his label in 1947. It wasn’t long after the launch in 1947 that Pucci’s designs became popular among men and women worldwide. He designed a swimwear line in 1949. He opened a Haute couture house in 1950 on the Isle of Capri and also expanded with a couture location in Rome. It was during this time he created his fabulous lingerie line.

Emilio’s designs were highly recogniseable. Taking just a glance, one could usually point out a Pucci design. This is largely due to the fact that Pucci designs were so very different from the rest. His designs took immediate notice. Pucci became well known for his signature use of bright colors, bold patterns, and striking swirly designs. Early creations of Pucci included a clothing line of wrinkle-free, vividly printed, silk dresses and blouses. His colorful, less formal uniforms for Braniff flight attendants were the first of their kind. His style can be best described as funky and very unique. Emilio Pucci's geometric, vintage designs were and still are popular all over the world.

Emilio also was the designer that introduced capris to the fashion world. Maybe the name he chose for these slightly past-the-knee length pants (capris) was somewhat contributed to the fact that Pucci decided to open his first boutique in Capris. It was here that he developed the idea for Capri designs, a style that still rocks the fashion world.

After his death in 1992 his daughter, Laudomia Pucci designed under Pucci. She currently holds the post Image Director for Emilio Pucci.

Julio Espada was appointed Artistic Director of Emilio Pucci in November 2000. An accomplished designer in his own right (he won the Outstanding American Designer of the Year Award), he established his own label, House of Julio and worked with Marc Jacobs and was Creative Director for Perry Ellis. He left Pucci in April 2002, and Christian Lacroix was named Artistic Director, shortly thereafter. He stayed until 2006, then Matthew Williamson followed his path. Williamson debuted for Pucci during the Fall 2006 season. Laudomia Pucci continues to serve as the Image Director.

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