CMLLC celebrates the Week of the Italian Language

 

CMLLC celebrates the Settimana della lingua italiana nel mondo, the Week of the Italian Language

XVI Week of the Italian Language. "Italian and Creativity: Brands and Customs, Fashion and Design". October 18-19, 2016

When we think about Italy, the country's world-renowned beauty immediately comes to mind. What spells beauty, art and creativity more eloquently than fashion?

This year, the Week of Italian Language theme was "Italian and Creativity: Brands and Customs, Fashion and Design." CMLLC's Italian program had an ambitious vision for this year's celebration and the local Italian community and the Italian Consulate supported the program's efforts to make the vision a reality.

Thanks to support from the Italian community and the Italian Consulate, the Italian program was able to engage in illuminating conversations on the topics of creativity and fashion. CMLLC's own Raffaella Medoro gave a talk on this history of Italian fashion and the birth of the notion of "made in Italy"; director Luca Guardabascio discussed costumes in cinema; and Lucio Abate came from Naples to discuss art couture and the work of designer Gianni Molaro.

The week was crowned by discussions led by two very special guests: the Italian designer Gianni Molaro and director Enrica Viola.

Wayne State displayed three sculpture dresses by artist/designer Gianni Molaro. During post-talk receptions, visitors could examine Molaro's imaginative dress designs. The designer also met virtually with us via Skype to greet participants, give us a tour of his atelier in a beautiful palazzo in Naples and respond to our questions.

We also had the opportunity to host director Enrica Viola and screen her fascinating documentary, Borsalino City, on the iconic "Borsalino" hat. After the screening, the audience enjoyed a lively conversation about her film and the importance of the Borsalino hat beyond Italy's boundaries.