L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 www.italoamericano.org 4 was an art lover par excellence and you are as well. AM: I am very curious about everything that surrounds me. Since childhood I have liked to be among artists, so that is some- thing very natural for me. Art is a great stimulus for me, exactly like fashion, which is the mirror of the times. You fancy Italian painters from the second half of the 20th century and collect glass and ceramic vases from the '60s and '70s, porcelain fig- urines, dollhouse furniture, mechanical singing birds, etc. You like objects that are "visu- ally and conceptually unique, funny and surreal." AM: I was 12 years old when in A s pen, Colorado, I w as thrilled to meet with great Italian designers such as Mario Bellini at a noted design meeting. I trea- sure those moments. I recall that in thos e days I b ought tw o native-American figurines as souvenirs. Besides art, I have always been fascinated by ethnic art. My parents were art collec- tors who mixed high and low art. As a girl I also had passion for artists who embraced cro- cheting and work with straw. Craftsmanship always enchanted me. I am captivated by conceptu- al art as well. It intrigues my mind. Curiosity is the key break- through for creativity. Th is comin g S ep temb er marks the 20th anniversary of Missoni under your creative direction. How will the Maison celebrate? AM: I will host a big party for me, but especially for all the w ond erful people w ho have w orked w ith me in all thes e years. In September, as well, Vogue Italia will come out with a special edition dedicated to my work, while in the forthcoming Milan show I will present my women's and men's collection together. You will also be honored in New York and Los Angeles in the fall… Next year marks the 65th anniversary of the leg- endary couture house. AM: For that important occa- sion, we will organize a major retrospective exhibition on the House of Missoni. Sadly we had to s kip the 60th annivers ary because my brother Vittorio trag- ically disappeared in a plane off the coast of Venezuela that year.  Your mother Rosita nur- tured your talent. A M : M is s oni g ot s tarted because my parents were revolu- tionaries. They taught me to never be afraid of taking risks with new ideas. My mother had that ability to build things so typ- ical of Lombard women. She is so  pragmatic. My father had a more detached view of life. Neither mother nor dad were business oriented. Was it a difficult decision for you at the beginning to carry on the family tradition? AM: My parents raised me with an incredible sense of free- dom. And when I began to show talent for this profession I was supported. But I wanted to have kids early, so I did. F rom age 23 to 28, I w as immersed in my maternal life: I was casting an eye on the com- pany but it was a detached eye. But when I got pregnant with Teresa I felt I wanted to create clothing for children. My mother told me: "Go ahead. You can do projects. Remember that you are here under this umbrella of pro- tection!" But my father made me real- ize that I needed to stand on my own legs. So I started my chil- dren's clothing line: I was taking care of all the steps of the design process myself, season after sea- son. At the end of my fourth col- lection, mother told me: "Have you ever thought of creating the first line?  Because that's what I would love Missoni to be and look like today." She believes that fashion should be created when you are young and have the strength to fight for your ideas against the commercial sector.  I fight every day for my own ideas and battle those who want to sell what they sold yes- terday. Do you ever experience a sense of fear that you will run out of creativity? AM: Not really. My parents invented a style. I play with their language. But I am never afraid to bring about changes in that system of signs. I went through several phases. I got back in the game several times. You have to overcome phases and shocks: fashion is constantly dynamic. Other projects? A M : We w ill inaugurate Missoni Baia, a luxury residen- tial tower in Miami in the fall. Then we are going to release a fragrance for men and a new book of recipes. When are you able to per- ceive that a collection will be successful? AM: You don't know until you see it with your own eyes, when you try it on the models, that maybe you guessed correct- ly. Angela Missoni is the creative and commercial force being the famous Italian maison that carries her name Missoni is known internationally for its knitted, luxurious fabrics and its bold geometrical patterns. Photo: Casa Missoni /Missoni Fashion House Angela Missoni: 20 years of artistry and innovation NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Continued from page 1

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