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Issey Miyake

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Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

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FOR 9/14

‘CONTROMODA’ EXPLORES FASHION AT ITALY’S PALAZZO STROZZI OCT 12 w/2 cuts

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FLORENCE, ITALY — More than 200 creations by such contemporary fashion designers as Armani, Balenciaga, Cardin, Dior, Ferragamo, Gaultier, Lagerfeld, Missoni and Westwood will be on display at the Palazzo Strozzi in an exhibition, “ControModa: Contemporary fashion from the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art,” October 12–January 20.

James Bradburne, director of Palazzo Strozzi, said: “Fashion is inseparable from the Italian identity. The Palazzo Strozzi has a long history of involvement with Italian fashion having provided the backdrop to some of Life magazine’s most striking fashion photographs in the 1950s as well as hosting exhibitions of Salvatore Ferragamo in 1985 and Roberto Capucci in 1990. This exhibition underlines our commitment to contemporary culture in which fashion plays a major rule.”

“ControModa” examines how far traditional concepts of style and fashion have changed in the past three decades. The works of designers featured demonstrate that fashion is a way of interpreting the world and a vital record of cultural and social change.

The exhibition illustrates how conventional ideas of beauty have been challenged in recent years and the questions that have been asked about the concept of taste. New developments in fashion engendered a new way of thinking, overturning the old rules regarding shape, proportion and ornamentation.

“ControModa” looks at contemporary fashion from four perspectives: construction, materials, form and concept.

An unusual element of the exhibition will be the educational gallery filled with costumes designed by Issey Miyake for William Forsythe and the Frankfurt Ballet. Visitors will have the opportunity to try on these costumes.

“ControModa” was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; curated by Kaye Spilker and Sharon Takeda. The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi installation was coordinated by curator Maria Luisa Frisa in consultation with Holly Brubach, Franca Sozzani and Stefano Tonchi. The exhibition catalog, available in English and Italian, is published by Skira editore.

Palazzo Strozzi is at Piazza Strozzi, 50123 Firenze. For information, 39 055277 6461 or www.palazzostrozzi.org.