Laura Biagiotti – Queen of cashmere
Laura Biagiotti was a famous Italian fashion designer and the founder of the House of Biagiotti. Renowned for her luxury cashmere fashion designs and feminine silhouettes. Laura Biagiotti is considered the Ambassadress of the Italian Fashion.
Early life of Laura Biagiotti
Biagiotti was born on 4 August 1943 in the historical city of Rome, Italy. Her mother Delia Soldaini Biagiotti was a promising dressmaker who designed the uniforms for Alitalia airline staff in 1960s.
As a young student, she used to help out her mother for her fashion designs and creations. While studying archeology at University of Rome, Laura Biagiotti left her academic career to join her mother with fashion designing. She worked with her mother for several years, during that time she met her future husband Gianni Cigna. After the marriage, with the help of her husband Cigna, she opened her first store in Florence, Italy.
House of Biagiotti
Biagiotti had her first fashion show in Florence, 1972. She became popular for working with fabrics of exceptional quality, especially cashmere in the most subtle colors. She took over a company called McPherson Cashmere and initiated making many fashion products in this luxury fabric.
In 1987, Biagiotti launched her first menswear line called Laura Biagiotti Uomo.
Laura Biagiotti was the first Italian designer to present a collection in China in 1988.
In 1994, she opened a boutique in Moscow and the following year was permitted to stage a fashion show within the Kremlin itself, which was a first. 38 Russian models strolled down the catwalk to applause from an enthusiastic audience.
Laura’s daughter Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna entered the family business in 1997 and became the company’s Vice President in 2005
The House of Biagiotti is considered as one of the largest fashion houses in Italy. Its products include women’s wear, men’s wear, accessories and watches.
Awards received by Laura Biagiotti
1992- Woman of the Year award in New York.
1993 – Marco Polo award in Beijing for having brought Italian industry to China.
1995 – Knights of Labor award from Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro for her contribution in making Italian fashion famous worldwide.
2001 – Prix Femmes d’Europe award for her contribution in promoting women’s participation in the development of a unified Europe.
2002 – Marisa Bellisario Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Council of Italian Fashion, which was presented during the Donna sotto le stelle fashion show. That year the Italian Postal Service issued a 41 Euro cent stamp honoring the designer and portraying a long dress inspired by classic Roman style.
2004 – Lupa Capitolina award by the Mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni.
2006 Laura’s daughter Lavinia accepted an award in Moscow on her mother’s behalf from Ksenia Gorbaciova, the granddaughter of President Mikhail Gorbachev, celebrating Laura’s being the first Italian designer to present a collection in Russia, in 1995.
2007 – Crystal Lion Lifetime Achievement – Venice Casino Award at the conclusion of the 64th Venice International Film Festival.
2011 – Leonardo Award by the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.
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