The dramatic, bold, and unique prints of Emilio Pucci can be recognized anywhere.
The fashion house of Pucci made history with its brave designs that helped synchronize the jet-set aristocratic lifestyle with sophisticated, feminine chic.
Last summer, Taschen published a limited edition book about this fabulous fashion house… Pucci authored by Vanessa Friedman. Only 10,000 copies were printed and each one is unique -- thanks to a special binding of bright-colored and wildly-geometric fabric from a recent collection.
Flipping through the oversized pages of photographs, drawings, and prints brings you a little closer to the Italian dream Pucci created with his distinctive innovation and devotion.
Emilio Pucci (1914-1992) was born into a noble family in Florence Italy, named the Marchese Emilio Pucci de Barsento. Before he found himself in fashion, he spent his youth in athletics, agriculture, political science, and the military where he served in WWII for the Italian Air Force.
After receiving attention for his experimental stretch fabrics for skiwear, he opened a haute couture house on the captivating Isle of Capri. By the 50s, Pucci was internationally recognized, and rightly so, for bright swimwear and free-flowing dresses, as well as silk scarves and separates. His work could be seen on some of the most glamorous women in the world. And it still is today.
In this book’s foreword by Laudomia Pucci, Emilio’s daughter, she explains, “For him, prints were rhythm and movement, and in prints he expressed a message of contagious happiness” (7).
So true…the book itself sets in motion a sea of joyful innovation that leaves the reader smiling as well.
Enjoy this visit to the carefree, vivid world of Pucci…
1 Taschen's brilliant book on everything Pucci is individually wrapped with this signature fabric, different on each copy.
2 The master at work in Palazzo Pucci in 1959.
3 Here, Marquis Pucci is seated in front of an outstanding collection of his scarves in Belvedere, Florence, 1959.
4 From the 1967 Spring/Summer collection, these models are on the roof of Palazzo Pucci wearing evening dresses, terrycloth capes, and palazzo pajamas.
5 A magnificent Pucci drawing from 1971. It's made with colored pencil, marker, white tempera, and ink.
6 Another drawing from 1962 made with bright watercolors and tempera.
7 This installation, created by Maria Luisa Frisa, was created in 2007 in honor of Pucci's 60th Anniversary. It's design is based off of the original boutique in Palazzo Pucci.
8 The Sala Bianca in Palazzo Pucci...such a wonderful work space.
9 Everything in Palazzo Pucci is customized with Pucci fabrics, patterns, and motifs.
10 A view into the offices of the Pucci Company. The chair, "Rive Droite", is made by Cappellini and the rug features the "Nastri" motif.
11 This shot of the Wedgewood Room in the Pucci's private residence was seen in a 2007 Architectural Digest.
12 The splendid Renaissance facade of the private Pucci family estate, Villa di Granaiolo.
13 The combination of 19th Century frescoes and the bold silk empire banquette in the Odyssey Room of Palazzo Pucci, perfectly defines the man.
14 Here is an example of a Pucci one-piece swimsuit with hand-painted cotton in a playful motif.
15 This printed lycra bodysuit was designed for a special project for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
16 Pucci even designed uniforms for the air hostesses of Braniff Airways in 1971. These women show how much light-hearted joy and pride can be felt in Pucci clothing.
17 An intimate shot of Marilyn Monroe wearing a Pucci printed silk twill shirt in 1962, an example of his glamorous clientele list.
18 Such a classic shot from Vogue Italia, September 1990. Isabella Rossellini is wearing a signature silk twill shirt and scarf in the "Menelik" print.
19 An up-close look at the Cappellini "Rive Droite" armchair. Designed by Patrick Norguet, it's covered in leather that has been printed in a Pucci "Lillium" motif.
20 Take a look at this Wally yacht in motion with a Pucci-designed gennaker blowing in the wind.
21 Pucci's Florentine inspiration can be seen in this 1974 scarf, "Duomo 2".
22 This silk twill scarf, "Primavera (Medici)", was designed in 1980 for a celebration of 500 years of the Medici family in Florence.
23 A wild 1963 cotton gaberdine in the "Geometrico" print.
Kevin Sharkey 
