THE FOUNDATION VALENTINO GARAVANI OPENS NEW SPACE IN ROME
Giancarlo Giammetti of the Valentino Garavani Foundation announced that in 2024 the Maison will be completing a massive expansion, with a new space located in the center of the historical Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) in Rome.
VISITING FASHION HOUSE FOUNDATIONS
For the uninitiated, a trip to the Foundation of any historical fashion Maison, in a fashion capital city, is akin to coming home to "the mothership" for artists, admirers, and people who work in the industry. It's like a living museum where on-lookers can experience the history of a brand, connecting with the designers origins and inspiration, following the creative journey from where they started to where the brand is today.
Fashion Maison's that have made history almost always have museums or a foundation space where their archives are kept and the history of the brand can be explored by visitors. Some of the most famous luxury fashion house foundations include the Prada Foundation (Fondazione Prada) in Milan, the Museo di Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence, The Furla Foundation (Fondazione Furla) in Bologna, The Fondation Pierre Berge' - Yves Saint Laurent in Paris and in Morocco, and the Gallerie Dior in Paris.
FASHION MUSEUMS: OBJECTS & ARCHITECTURE
Foundations contain archives of past collections like items worn by famous people during historical moments, original sketches, fabric swatches, and other artefacts that seem to have been frozen in time.
Beyond the treasure trove inside, usually the buildings themselves are part of the experience. Architecture that throbs with stories of past lives, preserving the not only the inspiration of the designer but moments in our shared human history.
VALENTINO FOUNDATION ROME OPENING DATE AND INFORMATION
Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti's announcement of the 2024 opening of the Valentino Foundation (Fondazione Valentino) in Rome has the locals excited and ready to welcome in another monument to fashion in the romantic Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps). The space was architected by the well-known Nemesi Architects in Rome, and in addition to the archives which include over 21,000 heritage dresses, the space will be used also to host events and exhibitions that support charity. An exact date for the opening has not yet been announced but is planned for later next year.
