Italian 251FD - Fashion/Design in Ital. Cult.

Italian designers from il bel paese (the beautiful country) have been at the center of the fashion industry for a long time. More than a business for Italians, fashion is intrinsic to their national identity. The notion of bella figura--appearing elegant and appropriate in any situation--is often considered a crucial aspect of being Italian. We explore cultural and literary trends that brought bella figura into national debate. Using texts such as Castiglione's Cortegiano, works of painter and stage designer Domenico Gnoli, and fashion magazines and documentaries, students will look at the evolution of Italian fashion over the centuries. Museum trips and guest lectures.