Dresses inspired by the exhibition Rara Avis. Moda in Volo

Rome, 9 July 2024

Until 21 July the exhibition Rara Avis. Moda in Volo will feature the clothes and accessories that have made fashion history with avian inspiration - such as the majestic Christian Dior white swan dress and Alexander McQueen's black swan dress for Givenchy, or the parrot bolero from Jean-Paul Gaultier's first haute couture show.

The exhibition, curated by Sofia Gnoli - a fashion scholar, lecturer and journalist who selected haute couture dresses and accessories from the archives of the most famous international fashion houses - became the inspiration for a competition involving the local fashion and costume academies, including Accademia Italiana: the contest involved the design and creation of a dress inspired by the very special garments and accessories selected for the exhibition.

"Winged elegance: stories of freedom" was the garment of Accademia Italiana student Sofia Elena Barella selected for the exhibition: "we were very pleased with all the dresses, we had to choose a winner but they were all very interesting," commented Sofia Gnoli.

Through these collaborations, the Park intends to stimulate innovative processes and encourage experimentation, knowledge and continuous updating in the fields of research, training and technological development. The fashion and design sector represents a fundamental pillar of Made in Italy and the economy of the territory, expressing at the same time creativity, innovation and talent.

"With this initiative, the Colosseum Archaeological Park is not only committed to strengthening the link between historical heritage and contemporaneity, but also wants to promote the ideas of the new generations, in a constant dialogue with the creative energies of civil society," emphasises Alfonsina Russo, Director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park.