This evening, at Vogue World: Milano, singer and style star Ejae walked the runway in an archival Roberto Capucci gown. The blue-and-black tiered gown is a prime example of the Italian master’s craftsmanship.
Born in Rome in 1930, Capucci originally trained as a sculptor before opening his first clothing atelier, all before the age of 20. In the aftermath of World War II, Capucci, alongside Valentino Garavani and Emilio Pucci, became the leading fashion designers of their time, ushering in an opulent era of Italian design. A passionate and colorful artisan, Capucci’s work can be recognized through his exuberant color play and often sculptural silhouettes. As reported by Joan Juliet Buck in Vogue in 1989, Italian model Mirella Petteni even stored her two Capucci dresses each in their own closet in her Venetian home.
The singer was a part of the show’s opening chapter, Act I: The Artisanal Revolution. Each dress in the section represents the ornate embroidery and intricacies of handmade Italian artistry. “The first act is the artisanal revolution, which has to do with everything that comes before electricity and before industrialization,” Vogue World: Milan creative director Juan Costa tells Vogue prior to the evening. “It was the time of kings, queens, and popes, and through that, we’re seeing fashion that’s handcrafted.” Paired with a Dolce & Gabbana choker featuring a gold and pearl dangling cross, Ejae’s look was certainly fit for royalty.
