Hippy Fashion: Emilio Pucci

Emilio Pucci was a Florentine Italian fashion designer and politician. Pucci was born in 1914 of one of Florence’s oldest noble families, and would live and work in the Pucci Palace in Florence for much of his life. He was a sportsman, who swam, skied, fenced, played tennis and raced cars. At the age of 17 he travelled to Lake Placid as part of theItalian team at the 1932 Winter Olympics, but did not compete.He became a designer when a fashion photographer for Vogue noticed his original ski outfit and asked him to design women's ski clothes.

In 1949, Pucci opened a boutique in Capri, selling the range of his interesting items but especially "Capri Pants" which took the world by storm. In 1951, the first fashion show took place in Florence.
During the 50's, Pucci gained a reputation as a designer of brilliantly patterned sporting wear and relaxed daywear. He contributed to the success of post-war Italian fashion design. He used silk jersey for his dresses which were light weight, wrinkle free and supremely comfortable.

Fashion designer Emilio Pucci is best known for his tight shantung “Pucci pants” and vividly printed silk dresses and blouses. Emilio Pucci naturally embodied the post war, jet set glamour which captivated a new group of modern, active women.He was crowned "The Prince of Prints" by the international fashion press, who were smitten by his exuberantly colored prints and simple, effortless designs, so radical for that time. Their feminine and free flowing body conscious shapes translated seamlessly into weightless silk jersey dresses, resort-style sportswear and glorious evening gowns. his clothes and accessories are sold through Emilio Pucci and Rossignol boutiques worldwide and in high-end department stores, mostly feature the designer’s original brightly coloured, often swirly, prints or new designs in his original distinct style. The fashion house produces clothes and accessories for women, and in small range of men’s accessories. I think pucci designed can relate to hippies fashion or clothing, through the use of the bright colours and geomaetrix prints

He died in 1992 at the age of 78. The clothes which Emilio Pucci designed over the years are valued immensely and vintage gowns are treasured. Many exhibitions are held, which was very well attended. His son, the Alessandro Pucci, took over the running of the family business and estates. However, Alessandro was killed in a car accident.In the 1990's Emilio Pucci's daughter Laudomia Pucci took the rein of the family business.