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Italian Designer ToBe Honored by N-MfikITn3ti the small Italian village of Lucca, near Florence, revo- ,lutionary designs in the world | yof knitted sport,wear are being 1executed daily.These creations carry t h e signature of native son, Giao-carlo Venter ini. who v.i!f fly to Dallas to be honored with a 1987 Neiman-M arcus Award for“distinguished service in the field of fashion.Venturini will receive h I s accolade on Thursday noon, February 9 at the annual Neb man-Hareus Spring Awards Presentation- and Luncheon, to be held in the Grand Ballroom of ihe Sheraton-Da Has HotelThe event will benefit the American Committee for Italian Flood Relief, and* will feature the collections of the famous couturiers, furriers, jewelers and accessory makers of the world.For the first time ip. the 29-year history of the Annual Awards, the recipients of the .accolades are internationally renowned designers from a single country — Italy.Also to receive awards from Stanley Marcus, president of the Texas specialty store are Fiamma Ferragamo, talented daughter of the “Shoemaker of Dreams, the late Salvatore I Ferragamo. . .Lydia de Roma, creator of Italy's finest hand* embroictered play - clothes . . . and Valentino of Rome, brilliant young couturier whose creations grace some of the world’s most prominent women.Former award winner. Emilio Pucci, will accept a special accolade on behalf of the Artisans of Florence - - -a group of designers whose fashion contributions have been so meaningful that, according to Marcus. “it would be impossible to single out only one recipient. Sought Engineering Degree Born in Lucca. Venturini left his village to pursue a degree in engineering at ihe University of Pisa. Within a few years tiim. his interests turned to the field of fashion, and he abandoned his studies to join his sister, Anna, who already had established a small knitting mill in- his native town.Even though there Is considerable difference between the realms of engineering and fashion. the young designer was able to combine his university training and his flair for fashion to develop many technical operations that had been lacking in his sister's small business.The next and most important step for the success of their young mill was to create new' ideas in knitwear. Venturini feltstrongly that fine quality andunsurpassed styling would insure immediate response fromthe fashion conscious woman.In 1957, he introduced a new line of unusual pullover andslack ensembles to the American market. The complete collection consisted of approximately 15 different designs, and -was originally entitled “Portofino,5’ It was acclaimed as one of the most significant innovations in knit sportswear. Later, the line was given the name o! “Gen-tucca.Hand-Knitted Garments In 1980. Venturini established a new company specifically for producing hand-knitted garmen called “naria. There he developed a completely new technique in knitting by combining intarsia designs with embroidery. He executes these creations in unusual color combinations that are unique in knitwear. |In January. 196-5, Venturini i was invited to show his collection comprised of mere than 209 different styles at the Pitti Palace in Florence. His present- ] alien w,as such a tremendous ; success that he once again hasbeen requesteri to bring his newest collection to the Palace in]January.A quiet, reserved man. the talented designer and his wife] reside in a country villa in Lucca. Apart from his work.; he enjoys collecting fine antiques and has a fleet of racing cars.N(a■3i1CStLItcClh-tieiAwbiRlind:\v1C£P
Newspaper Details
Commerce Journal
Commerce, Texas, US
Thu, Feb 02, 1967
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Daniel M.
GB 20 Jun 2022
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