Luciano Soprani (1946 – 23 October 1999) was an Italian

fashion designer Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture. The term implies a look defined by the fashion in ...

known for his tailored, colorful men's suits and

silk Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known silk is obtained from the coc ...

evening gown An evening gown, evening dress or gown is a long dress usually worn at formal occasions. The drop ranges from ballerina (mid-calf to just above the ankles), tea (above the ankles), to full-length. Such gowns are typically worn with evening ...

Early life

Soprani was born in

Reggiolo Reggiolo ( Guastallese: ) is a town in the province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. As of 31 December 2016 Reggiolo had an estimated population of 9,192. Carlo Ancelotti, the famous football manager, is a native of the town, and Formula ...

Obituary in 1946 to a family of farmers in the

province of Reggio Emilia The Province of Reggio Emilia ( it, Provincia di Reggio nell'Emilia, Emilian: ''pruvînsa ed Rèz'') is one of the nine provinces of the Italian Region of Emilia-Romagna. The capital city, which is the most densely populated comune in the provin ...

. After studying

agriculture Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to ...

, he decided that he was more interested in fashion, and in 1967 he joined the local firm of

Max Mara Max Mara (Italian aks 'ma:ra is an Italian fashion business. It markets up-market ready-to-wear clothing. It was established in 1951 in Reggio Emilia by Achille Maramotti (7 January 1927 – 12 January 2005). In March 2008, the company had 2,2 ...

Reggio Emilia Reggio nell'Emilia ( egl, Rèz; la, Regium Lepidi), usually referred to as Reggio Emilia, or simply Reggio by its inhabitants, and known until 1861 as Reggio di Lombardia, is a city in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region. It has abou ...

. He stayed there for nearly eight years, before moving to Milan in 1974.Official website As a freelancer, he worked with labels such as Heliette, Basile, Nazareno, Gabrielli and Gucci.

Business

In 1982 he set up his own label, while continuing to work for other houses such as Gucci. He was also wardrobe designer for the 1990 film '' Wild Orchid''. In 1992 Soprani fell out with his Japanese business partner, Onward Kashiyama Co., Ltd., who owned 70% of Luciano Soprani SpA. Soprani dissociated himself from the company, whilst seeking to regain use of the trademark. Soprani died of

throat cancer Head and neck cancer develops from tissues in the lip and oral cavity (mouth), larynx (throat), salivary glands, nose, sinuses or the skin of the face. The most common types of head and neck cancers occur in the lip, mouth, and larynx. Symptoms ...

in a hospital in Milan, on 23 October 1999. His friend Dilio Ortigoza succeeded him as designer at the company, to be followed by Alessandro Turci in 2002.Official website Studio Soprani was acquired by the perfume company Satinine S.p.a., and renamed Luciano Soprani S.r.l. in January 2006.

References

External links

Official Luciano Soprani website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Soprani, Luciano Fashion designers from Milan 1946 births 1999 deaths Clothing companies of Italy High fashion brands Clothing companies established in 1982 Italian companies established in 1982 People from the Province of Reggio Emilia Italian fashion designers