Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Piaggi
Illustrated journal of an Anna-Chronistic way of dressing
Fondazione Sozzani, Milan
Through 28 November 2021
In two exhibitions:
A FASHION JOURNAL, the 90s
Anna Piaggi drawn by Karl Lagerfeld
Fondazione Sozzani, via Enrico Tazzoli 3
ANNA–CHRONIQUE, the 70s and 80s
Anna Piaggi drawn by Karl Lagerfeld
Fondazione Sozzani, corso Como 10
Fondazione Sozzani presents in collaboration with Associazione Culturale Anna Piaggi “Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Piaggi. Illustrated journal of an Anna-chronistic way of dressing” in two exhibitions. One hundred and eighty original drawings by Karl Lagerfeld portray Anna Piaggi – muse, friend, and style icon in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Since their first meeting in Paris in 1973, they become closely friends. Lagerfeld draws inspiration from Anna Piaggi’s continuous stylistic metamorphosis and portrays her between 1973 and 1996 in his homes in Brittany, in Monte Carlo, in Paris, or in a hotel during their numerous travels together, in Rome, Florence, London.
Many drawings portray Anna Piaggi in everyday situations, as she herself describes, “In most of the drawings there is a sort of ‘théatralisation’ of daily existence and Karl illustrates, documents and emphasizes this heightened, intimate life which, as he once said, ‘was not then public’.”
And Karl Lagerfeld adds, “She scintillates on the everyday stage. She dramatizes the passing moment. Instinct is her memory.”
“Anna-chronique was begun in Paris at the table of a Chinese restaurant. On one of his cards Karl made a sketch of my head, with newly-cut cut hair by Henry Hebel og Vidal Sassoon in London, and of my accessory for the evening – a ‘telescopic’ fan with an ivory handle. Karl has continued to sketch me and many of my clothes, mostly in private, everyday life.”
Anna Piaggi, 1986
“Anna is a graphic person. In dressing herself she creates an image. She never provokes, she evokes. An unexpected detail, a tautology of style, a contradictory accessory, a surprising mixture, unforeseen associations of ideas and an indispensable touch of humor create a unique apperance which has always made me want to draw her.”
Karl Lagerfeld, 1986
The exhibition is divided in two sections:
“A Fashion Journal, the 90s” presents fifty unpublished drawings made by Karl Lagerfeld between 1990 and 1996. The pictorial stroke, pastel colors, and lights emphasize in a close view Anna Piaggi's face, hats, dresses and accessories.
“Anna-chronique, the 70s and 80s” presents one hundred and thirty drawings made between 1973 and 1984, which were collected in 1986 in a book with texts by Anna Piaggi and Karl Lagerfeld. Anna Piaggi’s writings, polaroids and photos, bijoux and hats are also on display.
ANNA PIAGGI (Milan, 1931 – 2012)
She was one of the first Italian journalists to write about fashion in the 60s. Her columns on Arianna, Panorama, L’Espresso, Vanity Fair, and Vogue – for which she invented the famous “Double Pages” – have become iconic. Through her close friendship with Vern Lambert, who owned a booth at Chelsea Antique Market in London she “discovered” vintage. Creative and always original, Anna Piaggi has interpreted fashion by showing off personal and inimitable looks, which have made her an icon of style. In 2006, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London dedicated her the exhibition “Fashion-ology”. In 2013, Palazzo Morando Costume Moda Immagine in Milan paid homage to her with the exhibition “Hat-ology, Anna Piaggi and her hats”.
KARL LAGERFELD (Hamburg, 1933 – Paris, 2019)
Starting his carreer as Pierre Balmain’s assistant, Karl Lagerfeld briefly worked at Jean Patou before joining Chloé in 1964. He soon became one of the fashion industry’s most acclaimed designers. At the head of Chanel since 1983, he also collaborated to the creation of Fendi’s ready-to-wear collections. The designer, who was a photographer and filmmaker as well, has often worked for the cinema, opera and theatre, such as the Burgtheater in Vienna and La Scala in Milan. In 2016, Palazzo Pitti dedicated him the exhibition “Karl Lagerfeld – Visions of Fashion”.
FONDAZIONE SOZZANI
corso Como 10 – 20154 Milano
via Enrico Tazzoli 3 – 20154 Milano
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