50´s. Rome or the eternal city. Economic boom and post-war bloom. The colorful streets of Trastevere host parties and revelry that converge on Via Veneto, a space reserved for intellectuals and the international elite. A carefree lifestyle dedicated to worldly pleasures was born: the beginning of the Dolce Vita. A period of cultural effervescence and social transformation, whose legacy lives on through fashion, cinema and culture.
La Dolce Vita marked a move away from the strict social and moral norms of the past towards a more liberal and hedonistic attitude. Decisions revolved around the pursuit of pleasure and personal satisfaction, leaving traditional restrictions behind.
Ryan Paris, famous Italian singer, expressed it in his song “La Dolce Vita”: “It’s our last night together with our love”. With it he encourages to enjoy time to the fullest and to hold on to love in the face of uncertainty.
This new era inspired numerous artists who captured this lifestyle in their works. One of the most iconic and a cornerstone of the seventh art was Federico Fellini’s film of the same name, “La Dolce Vita”. The film captures all the crucial elements of this era and gave us unforgettable scenes such as the bath in the Trevi Fountain of the prosperous Anita Ekberg.
Symbolic of the Rome of that era were the paparazzi, a term coined by Fellini to portray the insistent and elusive photographers of the tabloids. Combining the concepts “paparazzo” (in dialect meaning ‘mosquito’) and “ragazzo” (‘child’ in Italian), he described the essence of these architects of moments that still linger in the collective imagination.
Of particular note are Brigitte Bardot’s first nude, the kiss captured between Liz Taylor and Richard Burton during the filming of Cleopatra, the suggestive poses of the provocative Sofía Loren or the elegant Audrey Hepburn.
What was the aesthetics of the Dolce Vita like?
The dolce vita style, known for its sophisticated and elegant aesthetic, reflects the glamour and fashion of 1960s Italy. As designers and textile manufacturers resumed their work, their lavish designs responded to a need for glamour in the face of wartime deprivation. Italian couture and fine tailoring became popular exports that we continue to find in contemporary closets.
On the streets it was common to see women in tight-fitting dresses, often with floral prints and plunging necklines or sensual two-piece suits in vibrant, feminine colors. and feminine. Accessories such as tight belts around the waist, large sunglasses and flashy jewelry elevated these looks to their peak.
Men wore tailored suits by day that stood out for their elegance and sophistication and reserved the classic and distinguished tuxedos for events. Both accompanied by wristwatches, pocket handkerchiefs and narrow ties reflected a taste for attention and detail.
The role of ties in the fashion of the Dolce vita
In the movie “La Dolce Vita” ties played a symbolic role in representing the lifestyle and fashion of the time. Attributes such as elegance, sophistication or status posed on the tie the hallmark of stylish men.
Following this trend, they were usually dark colors, such as black, gray, navy blue or burgundy. An example of this could be our Handrolled Shantung Blue Tie. Discreet patterns, such as narrow stripes or simple geometric designs, were also used.
The knot of the tie, its length and its fit with the rest of the outfit was a sign of sophistication and good taste. In this line, it was common to see the men of La Dolce Vita wearing tight and perfectly knotted ties, which accentuated their image as refined and successful men.
This and other works internationally consolidated the reputation of cities such as Milan, Rome, Turin and Palermo for tailor-made clothing. The made in Italy marketing campaign succeeded in affirming what the street style of the time had been predicting: Italy was emerging as the ultimate benchmark for style and sophistication.
Dolce & Gabanna, Valentino, Prada, Dior, Armani and Pucci are just some of the names that evoked the essence of the Dolce Vita in their collections and accessories, rediscovering its characteristic style and imitating it through shapes, colors and textures.
Overall, the Dolce Vita era became a cultural symbol and an iconic reference in cinema and fashion. Its ultimate expression of creative exploration and attitude change managed to influence generations of artists, filmmakers and designers, and its legacy endures to this day.
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