Sorelle Fontana: Dressing the Stars
For Italian cinema in the early heady days the atelier of the Sorelle Fontana was a repository of the imaginary.
Sorelle Fontana: Dressing the Stars
The story of the Sorelle Fontana retraces the roots of Haute Couture Italian Fashion. The atelier, where today the Foundation is, was located a few steps away from Piazza di Spagna. Sorelle Fontana's pieces were worn by actresses and celebrities such as Ava Gardner, Liz Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Grace di Monaco, Soraya, Maria Gabriella di Savoia, Jacqueline Kennedy. Today the Foundation preserves in its archive part of this important collection of creations, made between the '40s and the '90s. Here is an overview of the iconic gowns that have become iconic for generations.
Cocktail dress for for actress Elizabeth Taylor (1954)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Sorelle Fontana: Dressing the stars
For Italian cinema in the early heady days the atelier of the Sorelle Fontana was a repository of the imaginary. From time to time the rooms of the fashion house became not only a place for trying on clothes but also for revealing confidences, a perfect setting for true stars such as Ava Gardner, Liz Taylor, Mirna Loy and Audrey Hupburn.
Linda Christian (1948)Fondazione Micol Fontana
1948
Actress Linda Christian wearing a dress Sorelle Fontana.
Loretta Young (1949)Fondazione Micol Fontana
1949
Venice Lido, Loretta Young wearing Sorelle Fontana.
Mirna Loy (1949)Fondazione Micol Fontana
1949
The elegant Mirna Loy , who played a memorable role in “If This Be Sin”, directed by Gregory Ratoff, demands that her screen clothes be made by the Sorelle Fontana.
in video, hers and other memorable dresses of the period
Rita Hayworth at home in Rome (1950)Fondazione Micol Fontana
1950
Rita Hayworth at home in Rome. She chose two evening gowns from the Sorelle Fontana.
Barbara Stanwyck (1950)Fondazione Micol Fontana
1950
“Quo Vaids” was being filmed in Rome. In the leading role was Robert Taylor who chose a new wardrobe for his wife Barbara Stanwyck at Sorelle Fontana’s.
Audrey Hepburn (1952)Fondazione Micol Fontana
1952
Actress Audrey Hepburn wearing a dress Sorelle Fontana.
Lucia Bose and Zoe Fontana in the Luciano Emmer’s film “Le ragazze di Piazza di Spagna” (1953)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Lucia Bosè and Zoe Fontana in the Luciano Emmer’s film “Le ragazze di Piazza di Spagna”. The film was shot in the Sorelle Fontana’s atelier near Piazza di Spagna in Rome.
Liz Taylor (1954)Fondazione Micol Fontana
The dress is exhibited in the roman halls of the Fondazione Micol Fontana.
Cocktail dress for for actress Elizabeth Taylor (1954)Fondazione Micol Fontana
The dress is exhibited in the roman halls of the Fondazione Micol Fontana.
Anna Maria Pierangeli (1954)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Anna Maria Pierangeli, just back from America, trying on a dress under the caring eye of Zoe
Micol Fontana and Ava Gardner (1954)Fondazione Micol Fontana
All the dresses for Ava Gardner in the movie “The Barefoot Contessa” were by "Sorelle Fontana"
Water-green satin ball gown colour (1954)Fondazione Micol Fontana
The dress is exhibited in the roman halls of the Fondazione Micol Fontana.
Dawn Adams (1957)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Kim Novak (1957)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Merle Oberon (1958)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Merle Oberon chooses some Sorelle Fontana clothes during the fashion show in Venice.
Simone Bicheron with her husband Curd Jurgens (1958)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Anita Ekberg and Zoe Fontana (1959)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Anita Ekberg, testimonial of first perfume “Glory by Fontana” with Zoe Fontana.
Sorelle Fontana Atelier (1962)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Sorelle Fontana Atelier
Jayne Mansfield, sex-symbol of the sixties, in Roma to pick up the Silver Mask award, choosing an evening dress.
Kirk Duglas with his wife Anne (1962)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Claudia Cardinale (1966)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Raquel Welch (1966)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Raquel Welch, female costar in Eduardo De Filippo’s movie“Spara forte più forte”, wears Sorelle Fontana.
Ursula Andress (1965)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Ursula Andress wears Sorelle Fontana for the film “The Tenth Victim” directed by Elio Petri.
Marisa Mell with Zoe Fontana (70s)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Marisa Mell with Zoe Fontana in the lounge tries an evening dress from the Fall Winter Collection . Photo Patrick Morin.
Kelly Le Brock (1981)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Ben Gazzara with his wife Elke (1990)Fondazione Micol Fontana
Aurore Clement in the film "Facciamo Paradiso" (1995/1996)Fondazione Micol Fontana
1995-1996
Aurore Clement e Philippe Noiret in the movie “Facciamo paradiso” by Mario Monicelli with the dress "nodi d'amore" by Sorelle Fontana.
In video, the dress as is today in Fondazione Micol Fontana
Fashion Sketch of dress 'Nodi d'Amore' (1955) by Antonio PascaliFondazione Micol Fontana
"Nodi d'amore" by Sorelle Fontana as is today in Fondazione Micol Fontana
Ball gown with “Nodo d’amore” embroidery (1955)Fondazione Micol Fontana
"Nodi d'amore" by Sorelle Fontana as is today in Fondazione Micol Fontana
Selezioni, testi e montaggio a cura di
Massimo Bevilacqua
Luisida Caligaris Papa
Maria Cristina Giusti
Mario Lami
Roberta Lami
Luisella Rastelli
Monica Rech
Amelie Soffietti
