Interpreting Culture (202-0-20)

Topic

Italian Fashion

Instructors

Alessia Ricciardi
847/491-8259
1860 S. Campus Drive, Crowe Hall #2-133

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 318: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

Italian Fashion: From Velvet to Nylon

A study in craftsmanship, heritage, and creative innovation, the history of Italian fashion can be traced from Renaissance artistry to its modern global commercialization. This course explores the role of Italian fashion through literature, cinema, and the visual arts, highlighting its contribution to Italy's cultural identity and distinctive aesthetic. We will analyze the rise of iconic fashion houses, the role of tailoring and luxury materials, and the interplay between fashion, art, gender, and class. Through case studies and visual analysis, the course highlights key movements and iconic fashion houses that defined Italian style—from postwar couture to contemporary ready-to-wear. Topics include the "Made in Italy" label as a marker of quality, the influence of cinema, Italian fashion and gender, Italian fashion and the creation of new aesthetic values, and finally the issue of ecological sustainability in modern design. Works by Goldoni, Leopardi, Fellini, Antonioni, Botticelli, Pistoletto, Valentino, Armani, Prada, and Versace. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of Italian fashion's global impact, its economic and cultural significance, and its continued role in helping to shape our ideas of creativity and innovation.

Teaching Method

Seminar style

Evaluation Method

Participation 25%, oral presentations 20%, midterm (oral exam; 25%), final essay (5-6 pages; 30%).

Class Materials (Required)

Class Materials will be available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for Comparative Literature students.