Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses - Paperback

by Darnell-Jamal Lisby (Author), Luca Stoppini (Designed by), Matteo Augello (Contribution by)

An exploration of the rich creative influence of Italian Renaissance art on the designs of contemporary Italian fashion houses

Successful Italian fashion houses such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace are among the most high-profile and cutting-edge on the global fashion scene. Many of the innovative designs created by these and other major Italian houses draw on imagery from Italy's rich cultural and artistic past. Weaving together insightful texts and vivid illustrations, this book explores the creative, cultural and social dialogues between contemporary Italian fashion houses and the enduring legacy of Renaissance Italy.

During the Renaissance, the Italian peninsula was dominated by powerful aristocratic families or "houses," such as the Medici in Florence and the Sforza in Milan, whose members used fashion and art to communicate their power. Through essays by scholars and fashion industry professionals, including Luca Missoni of the House of Missoni and Stefania Ricci, director of the Ferragamo Museum, this book provides an insider look at the creative connections between Italian Renaissance "houses" and contemporary Italian fashion houses, and the design innovations that celebrate the vital legacy of Italian Renaissance imagery. Art directed by Luca Stoppini, former Vogue Italia creative director, this book features an inventive, oversize design reminiscent of Vogue magazine's storied annual "September Issue," conveying a gripping story about contemporary Italian fashion and enlivened with runway and art images, as well as original photography inspired by nostalgic glossy editorials.

Distributed for the Cleveland Museum of Art

Exhibition Schedule:

Cleveland Museum of Art
(November 9, 2025-February 1, 2026)

Author Biography

Darnell-Jamal Lisby is associate curator of fashion at the Cleveland Museum of Art.